monsieur
/mə.sjø/masculine
The English phrase 'sir' is translated into French as monsieur.
monsieur is the most common and widely used term for sir in French. It is used to address any adult man, regardless of his marital status. When you use monsieur followed by a surname, it functions as the equivalent of the English 'Mr.'
Meaning: address to any male, especially if his name or proper address is unknown (noun)
Which one should you use?
While monsieur is used for males, the standard polite address for females is madame.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some French regions, or within historical contexts and literature, you may encounter the term sieur instead of monsieur.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of monsieur is messieurs, which is used when addressing a group of men (gentlemen).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /mə.sjø/, consisting of 2 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using monsieur followed only by a person's first name, as English speakers often mistakenly do this when trying to say 'Mr.' In French, it must be followed by a surname or used alone.
When do people say it?
The verb vouvoyer refers to the act of addressing (someone) using "sir".
Did you know?
- Historically, the title Monsieur with a capital M was used exclusively to refer to the brother of the King of France.
- The word monsieur is actually a contraction of two words: 'mon' meaning 'my' and 'sieur' meaning 'lord'.
- Calling a stranger monsieur is a way to show respect, but if you use it too much in casual settings, it can actually sound sarcastic or overly stiff.
Examples in context
- Avez-vous bu, Monsieur ?Sir, have you been drinking?This sentence shows how to use monsieur when asking a question about someone's state.Tatoeba #3473620 by sacredceltic, translation #3467745 by Hybrid
- C'est correct, Monsieur ?Is that correct, sir?This sentence demonstrates using monsieur to confirm correctness.Tatoeba #6154926 by Dobleue, translation #6153326 by RobinvanderVliet
- À votre service, Monsieur.I'm at your service, sir.This sentence shows a formal expression of service using monsieur.Tatoeba #1543934 by sacredceltic, translation #2946767 by astyng
- Bonjour Monsieur Dupont, comment allez-vous ?Hello, Mr. Dupont, how are you?
- Messieurs, veuillez prendre place.Gentlemen, please take your seats.
- Votre Seigneurie, nous vous souhaitons la bienvenue.Your Lordship, we welcome you.
- 78 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma is asking Gabriel for directions on the street.
- EmmaExcusez-moi, monsieur, où est la gare ?Excuse me, sir, where is the station?
- GabrielC'est juste là, au bout de la rue.It is right there, at the end of the street.
- EmmaMerci beaucoup, monsieur !Thank you very much, sir!
- GabrielJe vous en prie, bonne journée.You're welcome, have a nice day.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sir” translations and entries monsieur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries monsieur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
