domicile
/dɔ.mi.sil/
The English phrase 'where someone lives' can be translated into French as domicile.
The term domicile refers to the official place where a person has their permanent home.
Which one should you use?
While domicile is used in legal or official contexts, in everyday conversation, people more commonly use the phrase chez soi or lieu de résidence to refer to where someone lives.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
domicile is a formal and administrative way to refer to where someone lives.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Québec, speakers often use the word demeurer instead of habiter to mean living somewhere. In Switzerland, the verb loger is used in the context of where someone lives.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective form domicilié is used to describe a person who is residing at a specific address.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /dɔ.mi.sil/ and has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In certain French legal contexts, a person's domicile can actually be different from where they physically sleep if they have chosen a specific location for receiving legal notices.
- In France, the term domiciliation is often used specifically for 'virtual offices' or legal addresses for businesses that have no physical premises.
- The word domicile shares the same Latin root as the English word 'domestic', meaning both concepts are tied to the management of a household.
Examples in context
- Je réside à Nice.I reside in Nice.
- Ma résidence principale est à Lyon.My main residence is in Lyon.
- Et toi, tu vis où ?And you, where do you live?
- Ma baraque est dans le quartier de Montmartre.My place is in the Montmartre neighborhood.
- Où demeures-tu ?Where do you live?
- Je demeure à Montréal.I live in Montreal.
- Je loge à Genève.I live in Geneva.
- Veuillez indiquer votre domicile actuel.Please indicate your current residence.
- Le formulaire demande votre domicile.The form asks for your home address.
- Il a changé de domicile récemment.He changed his permanent residence recently.
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are filling out an official registration form at a town hall.
- ManonEst-ce que tu as écrit ton domicile ?Did you write down your residence?
- HugoOui, j'ai précisé mon domicile ici.Yes, I specified my home address here.
- ManonParfait, Hugo, c'est très clair.Perfect, Hugo, it is very clear.
- HugoMerci, Manon, on peut terminer.Thanks, Manon, we can finish.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry domicile, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries domicile, CC BY-SA 4.0.
