table des matières
/ta.blə de ma.tjɛʁ/feminine
The French phrase for 'table of contents' is table des matières.
The term table des matières is a formal translation used for books and research papers. You may also use sommaire as a formal expression for a table of contents in reports and brochures, or sommaire des chapitres to refer specifically to the table of contents in a book or novel.
Meaning: organized list summarizing book or document (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase table des matières literally translates to 'table of matters'.
Which one should you use?
While table des matières is used for a detailed list of all chapters and sections, sommaire is often used for a shorter, more concise table of contents at the beginning of a document.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is feminine and is used with the definite article la (la table des matières).
How do you pronounce it?
/ta.blə de ma.tjɛʁ/
Did you know?
- In a French academic thesis, it is common to find both a sommaire at the beginning for a quick glance and a detailed table des matières at the end.
- In French, table is a doublet of the words tôle and taule, meaning 'sheet metal' or 'wall', because they all evolved from the same Latin root.
- The French language uses the word matière to describe a school subject, meaning the table des matières is literally a table of school-like subjects.
Examples in context
- La table des matières se trouve à la fin du livre.The table of contents is at the end of the book.This sentence shows where to find the table des matières in a book.Tatoeba #12131961 by carlosalberto, translation #12131909 by carlosalberto
- La table des matières est une partie essentielle de tout livre.The table of contents is an essential part of any book.
- Le sommaire de ce rapport explique l'organisation et le contenu.The table of contents of this report explains the organization and content.
- Je n'ai pas besoin du sommaire détaillé, juste un aperçu général.I don't need the detailed table of contents, just a general overview.
- Le sommaire des chapitres m'a aidé à localiser les sujets spécifiques.The table of contents of the chapters helped me locate specific topics.
- Consultez la table des matières pour trouver le chapitre.Check the table of contents to find the chapter.
- La table des matières est très détaillée ici.The table of contents is very detailed here.
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are studying a large textbook in a library.
- NathanOù est la table des matières dans ce livre ?Where is the table of contents in this book?
- EmmaElle est juste après la page de garde.It is right after the title page.
- NathanMerci, je cherche l'index des sujets.Thanks, I am looking for the subject index.
- EmmaTu peux tout trouver grâce à la table des matières.You can find everything thanks to the table of contents.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “table of contents” translations and entries table des matières, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries des, table, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
