Which one should you use?
Mon professeur is the masculine or neutral form, used for a male teacher or when the gender of the teacher is not specified. Ma professeure is used specifically when referring to a female teacher. For a more professional or administrative tone, you can use Mon enseignant for a male or Mon enseignante for a female. Finally, Mon prof and Ma prof are common colloquial shortenings used by students in casual conversation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Mon professeur and Ma professeure are formal ways to say "my teacher". Mon enseignant and Mon enseignante are more formal or professional, often used in academic or administrative contexts. In informal settings, specifically among students, you can use the shortened versions Mon prof or Ma prof.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the teacher is female, you use the feminine possessive adjective ma and the feminine form professeure.
When do people say it?
When addressing a teacher directly, it is polite to use the formal pronoun vous instead of tu.
Did you know?
- In many French schools, students rarely address a teacher as professeur or even prof to their face. Instead, they almost always use the title Monsieur or Madame followed by no name at all.
- The word professeur shares a root with the English word 'profess', which relates to the idea of someone making a public declaration or a formal vow of their knowledge.
- While mon professeur is the standard term, in many French-speaking African countries, the term mon maître is frequently used to show deep respect for a primary school teacher.
Examples in context
- Qui est mon professeur ?Who's my teacher?This sentence uses Mon professeur to ask for the identity of a teacher.Tatoeba #6627280 by GB3, translation #6627274 by Schuager
- J'ai été grondé par mon professeur.I was scolded by my teacher.This sentence uses Mon professeur to describe being scolded by a teacher.Tatoeba #6245 by sysko, translation #259080 by CK
- Je n'ai pas apprécié mon professeur.I didn't like my teacher.This sentence uses Mon professeur to express a lack of appreciation for a teacher.Tatoeba #2291770 by sacredceltic, translation #2291173 by CK
- Mon professeur est très compétent.My teacher is very competent.
- Ma professeure est exigeante mais juste.My female teacher is demanding but fair.
- Je suis reconnaissant envers mon enseignant.I am grateful to my teacher.
- J'adore mon prof, il rend les cours intéressants.I love my teacher, he makes the classes interesting.
- Ma prof est vraiment sympa, elle aime rire avec nous.My teacher is really nice, she likes to laugh with us.
- Mon enseignant est toujours là pour m'aider.My teacher is always there to help me.
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are discussing their school schedule.
- HugoEst-ce que tu connais mon professeur d'histoire ?Do you know my history teacher?
- LéaOui, il est très gentil.Yes, he is very kind.
- HugoMon professeur donne trop de devoirs.My teacher gives too much homework.
- LéaC'est vrai, c'est difficile.That's true, it is difficult.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mon, professeur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
