centre commercial
/sɑ̃.tʁə kɔ.mɛʁ.sjal/masculine
The English phrase shopping centre is translated into French as centre commercial. Wiktionary also lists centre d'achats.
Meaning: large retail outlet (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| centre commercial | /sɑ̃.tʁə kɔ.mɛʁ.sjal/ | masculine |
| centre d'achats | Quebec, masculine |
Centre commercial is a masculine noun used to refer to a large retail outlet.
What does it mean word for word?
The term centre commercial literally translates to 'commercial center'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, centre commercial is the most commonly used term. Although centre d'achats is also used in Quebec, it is less frequent.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because centre commercial is masculine, the contraction of à + le becomes au when expressing being at or going to the shopping centre (e.g., au centre commercial). The plural form of centre commercial is centres commerciaux.
How do you pronounce it?
It has 4 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word centre shares a common ancestor with the English word 'center', but its ancient Greek root kéntron actually refers to a 'sharp point' or a 'stilus'.
- In France, you will rarely see a centre commercial in a city center. Most are located on the outskirts of towns in areas called zones commerciales.
- In France, the traditional alternative to the centre commercial is the rue commerçante, a high street where small independent shops line the road.
Examples in context
- Où est le centre commercial ?Where's the shopping centre?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of the centre commercial.Tatoeba #644377 by nimfeo, translation #11966053 by sundown
- Tom est au centre commercial.Tom is in the shopping centre.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is currently at the centre commercial.Tatoeba #7547111 by tras, translation #12476673 by sundown
- Leigh ira au centre commercial avec Laurie.Leigh will go to the shopping centre with Laurie.This sentence is useful for describing a future movement to the centre commercial.Tatoeba #7801314 by theachaean, translation #1846135 by AlanF_US
- Excusez-moi, pouvez-vous me donner des indications pour le centre commercial le plus proche?Excuse me, can you give me directions to the nearest shopping centre?
- Je dois faire quelques achats, connaissez-vous un bon centre d'achats dans le quartier?I need to do some shopping, do you know a good shopping center in the neighborhood?
- Ça te dit d'aller traîner au centre commercial cet après-midi?Do you feel like hanging out at the shopping centre this afternoon?
- J'aime aller au grand centre commercial du centre-ville parce qu'il est moderne et branché.I enjoy going to the big downtown shopping centre because it's modern and trendy.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are planning their afternoon in the city.
- LéaHugo, tu veux aller au centre commercial ?Hugo, do you want to go to the shopping centre?
- HugoOui, j'ai besoin de nouveaux vêtements.Yes, I need new clothes.
- LéaOn peut y aller après le déjeuner.We can go there after lunch.
- HugoC'est une excellente idée, Léa.That is an excellent idea, Léa.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shopping centre” translations and entries centre commercial, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries centre, commercial, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
