facteur
/fak.tœʁ/
The English phrase 'postal worker' is translated into French as facteur.
facteur is used to refer to a person whose job is to deliver mail to homes and businesses. When referring to the profession in a general sense or a specific person, the noun is used with a definite article, such as le facteur.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes based on gender and number. The feminine form is factrice and the masculine plural form is achieved by adding an s to get facteurs.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /fak.tœʁ/.
Did you know?
- French uses facteur to describe a piano tuner or maker, specifically a facteur d'orgues for organ builders.
- In the 19th century, French facteurs were often the only government officials visiting remote villages, making them key sources of news and literacy for the rural population.
- The word facteur shares the same Latin root as the English word 'factory', as both stem from the idea of a 'maker' or 'doer'.
Examples in context
- Le facteur est apprécié pour sa ponctualité et sa fiabilité.The postal worker is appreciated for their punctuality and reliability.
- L'agent de la poste m'a aidé à affranchir mes colis.The postal worker at the post office helped me to post my packages.
- J'attends le facteur pour recevoir ma commande.I'm waiting for the postal worker to receive my order.
- Le livreur est passé plus tôt que prévu aujourd'hui.The postal worker/delivery person came earlier than expected today.
- Le facteur passe tous les matins.The postal worker comes by every morning.
- J'ai donné un mot au facteur.I gave a note to the postal worker.
- Le facteur a laissé un colis.The postal worker left a parcel.
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are talking in their living room.
- LéaEst-ce que le facteur est déjà passé ?Has the postal worker already come by?
- GabrielOui, il a laissé une lettre pour toi.Yes, he left a letter for you.
- LéaMerci, Gabriel, je vais la chercher.Thanks, Gabriel, I will go get it.
- GabrielDe rien, elle est dans la boîte.You're welcome, it is in the mailbox.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry facteur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries facteur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
