sommelier
/sɔ.mə.lje/masculine
The English phrase sommelier is translated into French as sommelier. Wiktionary also lists sommelière.
Meaning: wine steward / stewardess, wine waiter / waitress (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| sommelier | /sɔ.mə.lje/ | masculine |
| sommelière | /sɔ.mə.ljɛʁ/ | feminine |
The term is used both to describe the professional job title and the person performing the role in a restaurant.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun has both masculine and feminine forms. The feminine form of the noun is sommelière.
How do you pronounce it?
/sɔ.mə.lje/
Did you know?
- The word sommelier shares a linguistic root with the English word 'saddle', as it derives from the Latin word sagma meaning 'packsaddle'.
- Historically, a sommelier was not a wine expert but a high-ranking official in a royal household responsible for transporting provisions and heavy goods.
- While English speakers use 'sommelier' for anyone with wine knowledge, in France it implies a specific and rigorous professional certification.
Examples in context
- Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous appeler le sommelier, s'il vous plaît?Excuse me, could you please call the sommelier?
- Nous aimerions demander l'avis du maître sommelier pour choisir le vin parfait avec notre repas.We'd like to seek the advice of the maître sommelier to select the perfect wine to accompany our meal.
- Le sommelier conseille les clients.The sommelier advises the customers.
- Je cherche un bon sommelier pour ce restaurant.I am looking for a good sommelier for this restaurant.
- Le sommelier a choisi un excellent vin rouge.The sommelier chose an excellent red wine.
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are dining at a fancy restaurant.
- ManonRegarde, le sommelier arrive vers notre table.Look, the sommelier is coming toward our table.
- LucasC'est parfait, j'ai besoin d'un conseil.That's perfect, I need some advice.
- ManonDemande-lui quel vin va avec le poisson.Ask him which wine goes with the fish.
- LucasJe vais lui demander tout de suite.I will ask him right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sommelier” translations and entries sommelier, sommelière, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sommelier, CC BY-SA 4.0.
