tailleur
/ta.jœʁ/masculine
The English phrase 'tailor' is translated into French as tailleur.
tailleur is a masculine noun referring to a person who makes, repairs or alters clothing as a profession. In the context of fashion, un tailleur can also refer specifically to a woman's skirt suit, consisting of a matching jacket and skirt. If you wish to express the idea of tailoring or restricting something to a particular need, the related verb adapter is used.
Meaning: person who makes, repairs, or alters clothing as profession (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form is tailleur. If you are referring to a female tailor, use the feminine form tailleuse.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /ta.jœʁ/.
Did you know?
- Despite the professional meaning, calling a woman's suit un tailleur is always masculine, even though the garment is designed for women.
- The verb at the heart of tailleur is tailler, which means 'to cut' and is the same root used for a 'pencil sharpener', known in French as a taille-crayon.
- The word tailleur comes from the verb tailler, which means 'to cut'. This reflects the historical view that the most critical part of a tailor's skill is the initial cutting of the fabric.
Examples in context
- Le père est tailleur.The father is a tailor.This sentence is useful for identifying a person's profession using tailleur.Tatoeba #1264666 by sacredceltic, translation #1263603 by xellugis
- Mon tailleur est riche.My tailor is rich.This sentence is useful for describing a person using tailleur.Tatoeba #612423 by pjer, translation #612421 by pjer
- Je voudrais devenir tailleur.I'd like to become a tailor.This sentence is useful for expressing a career ambition using tailleur.Tatoeba #8274094 by dolomitt, translation #6353019 by CK
- J'ai rendez-vous chez le tailleur pour mes retouches.I have an appointment at the tailor's for my alterations.
- Le couturier a présenté sa nouvelle collection.The fashion designer presented his new collection.
- J'ai consulté la couturière pour une robe sur mesure.I consulted the female tailor for a custom-made dress.
- J'ai fait appel au petit couturier du coin.I reached out to the local tailor.
- Je suis allé(e) chez le/la retoucheur(euse) pour ajuster ma robe.I went to the tailor to adjust my dress.
- Je vais chez le tailleur cette semaine, il est très réputé.I'm going to the tailor this week, he is very reputable.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are discussing a suit for an upcoming wedding.
- LucasEst-ce que tu connais un bon tailleur ?Do you know a good tailor?
- EmmaOui, mon oncle est un excellent tailleur.Yes, my uncle is an excellent tailor.
- LucasC'est super, il peut m'aider ?That's great, can he help me?
- EmmaBien sûr, je vais lui demander.Of course, I will ask him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tailor” translations and entries tailleur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
