propriétaire
/pʁɔ.pʁi.je.tɛʁ/feminine, masculine
The English word "owner" is translated into French as propriétaire.
propriétaire refers to one who owns something and is frequently used to mean "landlord" in the context of real estate or renting. Depending on the specific object owned, other terms may be more appropriate: Maître is used for the owner of an animal, such as a pet or livestock, while Titulaire is used in official or administrative contexts to refer to the official owner of a document, license or legal possession.
Meaning: one who owns (noun)
Which one should you use?
While propriétaire is the standard term, use Patron(ne) informally when referring to the owner of a small business, restaurant or shop. In Quebec, you may also encounter the informal abbreviation Proprio.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Proprio is an informal abbreviation of propriétaire commonly used in Quebec.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word propriétaire is epicene, meaning it has the same form for both masculine and feminine genders.
How do you pronounce it?
/pʁɔ.pʁi.je.tɛʁ/
Did you know?
- In French legal history, the distinction between a propriétaire and a possesseur is strict, as one can possess an item without being the legal owner.
- In a very formal or historical context, an owner of a large estate might have been called le maître des lieux, which translates literally to 'the master of the premises'.
- The term titulaire is used for owners of a 'post' or 'position' in the civil service, meaning they officially hold the permanent right to that job.
Examples in context
- Tom est le propriétaire.Tom is the owner.This sentence is useful for identifying a person as the owner.Tatoeba #5594105 by Aiji, translation #4501316 by CK
- Je suis le propriétaire.I'm the owner.This sentence is useful for stating one's own status as the owner.Tatoeba #11056375 by Aiji, translation #3412975 by CK
- Vous êtes le propriétaire ?Are you the owner?This sentence is useful for asking someone if they are the owner.Tatoeba #11927797 by lbdx, translation #11894724 by CK
- Je suis propriétaire d'un appartementI am the owner of an apartment
- Il est le propriétaire d'une entreprise renomméeHe is the owner of a renowned company
- Je suis titulaire du permis de conduireI am the holder of a driver's license
- La carte de crédit est au nom du titulaireThe credit card is in the name of the cardholder
- Il est le maître d'un adorable chienHe is the owner of an adorable dog
- Mon frère est le patron d'un caféMy brother is the owner of a café
- La patronne de ce magasin est très sympathiqueThe owner of this store is very friendly
- Mon voisin est le proprio de cette maisonMy neighbor is the owner of this house
- 41 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma is asking Gabriel about the apartment he is renting.
- EmmaEst-ce que tu connais le propriétaire ?Do you know the owner?
- GabrielOui, le propriétaire est très gentil.Yes, the owner is very kind.
- EmmaIl habite dans l'immeuble ?Does he live in the building?
- GabrielNon, il habite dans une autre ville.No, he lives in another city.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “owner” translations and entries propriétaire, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
