maître
/mɛtʁ/
The English phrase 'master' can be translated into French as maître.
As a noun, maître refers to an expert at something or someone who has control over something or someone. In France, the term implies expertise, authority or mastery over a particular field.
Meaning: to learn to a high degree (verb)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
While maître is the noun form, you must use the verb maîtriser when you want to describe the action of mastering a skill or a subject.
How do you pronounce it?
/mɛtʁ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the noun maître when they actually intend to use the verb maîtriser to mean 'to master a subject'.
Did you know?
- In legal contexts in France, lawyers traditionally use the title Maître to address one another or their clients, regardless of whether they are 'masters' of a subject.
- While maîtriser means 'to master' a skill, it also means 'to control' or 'to restrain', such as maîtriser ses émotions 'to control one's emotions'.
- In traditional French craftsmanship, a maître was not just an expert but someone who had legally passed a rigorous examination to open their own workshop.
Examples in context
- Tu es le maître.You're the master.This sentence shows how to use maître to address someone directly.Tatoeba #2228985 by sacredceltic, translation #2218430 by CK
- Tom est notre maître.Tom is our master.This sentence demonstrates how to identify someone as a maître.Tatoeba #6688771 by GB3, translation #6687447 by Eccles17
- Tel maître, tel valet.As is the master, so is the servant.This sentence uses maître within a traditional proverb.Tatoeba #1058568 by sacredceltic, translation #12258316 by Miktsoanit
- 105 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are talking about their piano lessons.
- NathanJe veux devenir maître du piano un jour.I want to become a master of the piano one day.
- ChloéC'est un objectif très ambitieux, Nathan.That is a very ambitious goal, Nathan.
- NathanOui, mais je m'entraîne tous les jours.Yes, but I practice every day.
- ChloéTu seras bientôt un vrai maître alors.You will be a true master soon then.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry maître, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
