Titres
While not as diverse as they used to be, a few honorifics are commonly used in French and are as important as any other polite vocabulary. Here are the French titles you need, along with their abbreviations.
General titles
Title |
Abbrev. |
Plural |
|
English |
Monsieur |
M. |
Messieurs |
|
Mister, Mr., sir |
Madame |
Mme |
Mesdames |
|
Madam, Mrs., ma’am |
Mademoiselle |
Mlle |
Mesdemoiselles |
|
Miss |
General titles are used when talking to and about a person and may or may not be followed by the person’s last name. However, titles are only capitalized when followed by a name – learn more.
Bonjour Madame Terbois. |
|
Hello Mrs. Terbois. |
J’ai parlé à Monsieur Gueldry hier. |
|
I spoke to Mr. Gueldry yesterday. |
Au revoir, monsieur. |
|
Good-bye, sir. |
Related apheresis: messieurs dames – used to address a group of people when entering a room, e.g., Bonjour messieurs dames – "Hello everyone, Hello ladies and gentleman."
Professional titles
Docteur |
Dr |
|
Doctor |
Maître |
Me |
|
~Mr./Ms (for lawyers, professors, etc) |
Professeur |
Pr |
|
Professor |
Religious titles
Frère |
F. |
|
Brother |
Mère |
M. |
|
Mother |
Père |
P. |
|
Father |
Révérend Père |
R.P. |
|
Reverend |
Saint |
St |
|
Saint (male) |
Sainte |
Ste |
|
Saint (female) |
Sœur |
Sr |
|
Sister |
Rare, old-fashioned or obsolete titles
Title |
Abbrev. |
|
English |
Monseigneur |
Mgr |
|
Your Eminence, Your Grace |
Veuve |
Vve |
|
widow |
Votre Majesté |
V.M. |
|
Your Majesty |
Sa Majesté |
S.M. |
|
His / Her Majesty |
Related lessons
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