monopole
/mɔ.nɔ.pɔl/
The English word monopoly is translated into French as monopole.
The term monopole is used to describe the exclusive possession.
Meaning: exclusive possession (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables and is pronounced /mɔ.nɔ.pɔl/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the English word 'monopoly' instead of the French monopole when discussing economics or exclusive rights.
Did you know?
- The French state once enforced a strict monopole on salt through the 'Gabelle', a tax so hated it contributed to the tensions leading to the French Revolution.
- While monopole refers to economic control, the board game 'Monopoly' is actually called Monopoly in French, as it is treated as a proper noun rather than a translated concept.
- The expression avoir le monopole de la conversation is the idiomatic way to describe someone who won't stop talking during a group discussion.
Examples in context
- Un oligopole est un monopole imparfait.An oligopoly is an imperfect monopoly.Tatoeba #8249789 by Micsmithel, translation #6287143 by Hybrid
- Mary, cette espiègle, vint coller son nom au début de cette phrase, pour ne pas en laisser le monopole à Tom, alors que ce n'était pas du tout nécessaire.Mary, this mischievous girl, came sticking her name at the beginning of this sentence, in order to not leave that monopoly to Tom, although it wasn't necessary at all.Tatoeba #1077400 by sacredceltic, translation #1247357 by sacredceltic
- L'immigration de masse a permis aux États-Unis d'Amérique d'employer leurs immenses ressources et de briser le monopole industriel des pays européens, à la fin du dix-neuvième siècle.Mass immigration enabled the United States to make use of their enormous resources and smash the industrial monopoly of European countries at the end of the nineteenth century.Tatoeba #4573595 by sacredceltic, translation #3529874 by adamtrousers
- Les grandes entreprises internationales tentent souvent de créer un monopole sur le marché.Large international companies often strive to create a monopoly in the market.
- Un monopole économiqueAn economic monopoly
- Un monopole naturelA natural monopoly
Example conversation
Two business students are discussing market structures in a cafe.
- EmmaCette entreprise détient un monopole sur le marché.This company holds a monopoly on the market.
- GabrielC'est un monopole très difficile à briser.It is a monopoly that is very hard to break.
- EmmaGabriel, tu penses que c'est légal ?Gabriel, do you think it is legal?
- GabrielEmma, cela dépend de la réglementation actuelle.Emma, it depends on the current regulations.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry monopole, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
