mécanicien
/me.ka.ni.sjɛ̃/masculine
The English word 'mechanic' is translated into French as mécanicien. Wiktionary also lists mécanicienne.
Meaning: skilled worker on machinery (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mécanicien | /me.ka.ni.sjɛ̃/ | masculine |
| mécanicienne | /me.ka.ni.sjɛn/ | feminine |
A mécanicien is a skilled worker specializing in the repair and maintenance of engines or mechanical systems, such as automotive mechanics.
Which one should you use?
The term mécanicien is the standard and most widely-used way to say 'mechanic' in French. If you are referring to a mechanical technician, you would use technicien en mécanique.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the term carrossier is used specifically for a mechanic who specializes in car bodywork.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a female mechanic, use the feminine form mécanicienne.
How do you pronounce it?
/me.ka.ni.sjɛ̃/ (4 syllables)
Did you know?
- A mécanicien might actually be a musician specializing in the repair and maintenance of complex mechanical instruments.
- Historically, a mécanicien was not associated with cars but with the creation of intricate automatons and complex clocks.
- While mécanicien is the standard term, in many French workshops, you might hear the more colloquial term mécano used to refer to a mechanic.
Examples in context
- Ziri est devenu mécanicien.Ziri became a mechanic.This sentence shows how to use the masculine form mécanicien to describe someone's profession.Tatoeba #11764040 by Amastan, translation #10209395 by Amastan
- Qui va payer le mécanicien ?Who's going to pay the mechanic?This sentence uses the masculine form mécanicien in the context of payment.Tatoeba #7786119 by Aiji, translation #2541154 by CK
- Je ne suis que le mécanicien.I'm only the mechanic.This sentence uses the masculine form mécanicien to identify oneself.Tatoeba #8085887 by Aiji, translation #3721368 by CM
- Je dois emmener ma voiture chez un mécanicienI need to take my car to a mechanic
- Mon ami est technicien en mécanique dans une grande entrepriseMy friend is a mechanical technician in a large company
- Mon père travaille comme ingénieur mécanique dans une usine automobileMy father works as a mechanical engineer in a car factory
- Je vais voir mon mécano pour qu'il répare ma voitureI'm going to see my mechanic so he can fix my car
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel is asking Léa for help with a car problem.
- GabrielTu connais un bon mécanicien ?Do you know a good mechanic?
- LéaOui, mon oncle est mécanicien.Yes, my uncle is a mechanic.
- GabrielEst-ce qu'il peut réparer ma voiture ?Can he repair my car?
- LéaBien sûr, appelle-le demain.Of course, call him tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mechanic” translations and entries mécanicien, mécanicienne, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
