ultimatum
/yl.ti.ma.tɔm/masculine
The English phrase 'ultimatum' translates to French as ultimatum.
ultimatum is a masculine noun used to describe a final statement of terms or conditions made by one party to another. In French, you typically use the verb poser to express the act of issuing or setting one, as in poser un ultimatum.
Meaning: a final statement of terms or conditions made by one party to another (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is masculine, so it is preceded by the masculine indefinite article un, as in un ultimatum.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables and is pronounced /yl.ti.ma.tɔm/.
Did you know?
- The word ultimatum is a 'loanword' from Latin that French adopted without changing its spelling. Because of this, it is one of the few French words that retains the 'um' ending, which is extremely rare in native French words.
- The French word ultime (the root of ultimatum) is often used to describe something 'final' in a poetic or spiritual sense, such as l'ultime voyage to refer to death.
- French has a related legal concept called mise en demeure, which is a formal notice to perform an obligation. While an ultimatum is a threat, a mise en demeure is the official legal step required before taking someone to court.
Examples in context
- Elle m'a dit que si je n'arrête pas de fumer, elle va me larguer. Ça ressemble à ultimatum, selon moi !She told me that if I don't stop smoking she's going to dump me. Sounds like an ultimatum to me!Tatoeba #1099201 by sacredceltic, translation #1097273 by darinmex
- Le président a donné un ultimatum aux opposants politiquesThe president issued an ultimatum to the political opponents
- Le locataire a reçu une mise en demeure pour régler son loyer en retardThe tenant received an ultimatum to pay the overdue rent
- Si tu ne me paies pas d'ici demain, je te donne un dernier avertissement avant de prendre des mesures légalesIf you don't pay me by tomorrow, I'm giving you a final warning before taking legal action
- Il a posé un ultimatum à son patron.He issued an ultimatum to his boss.
- Je ne peux pas accepter cet ultimatum.I cannot accept this ultimatum.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are discussing a conflict with a colleague.
- GabrielIl refuse toujours de m'aider sur ce projet.He still refuses to help me with this project.
- ManonTu devrais lui poser un ultimatum clair.You should give him a clear ultimatum.
- GabrielEst-ce que c'est trop risqué pour ma carrière ?Is it too risky for my career?
- ManonNon, Gabriel, c'est la seule solution possible.No, Gabriel, it is the only possible solution.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ultimatum” translations and entries ultimatum, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
