Skip to content

maîtrise

mastery, command

noun meh-TREEZ Rare

Origin: Old French 'maistre' (master)

Also means

master's degree (France)

Usage Note

Maîtrise has two common senses: expertise or command over something (une maîtrise parfaite de l'anglais = perfect command of English) and the French post-graduate degree equivalent to a master's, though this academic sense is being replaced by the EU-harmonised master. The verb is maîtriser (to master, to control). Note the circumflex on the i.

Examples

"Sa maîtrise des langues étrangères est impressionnante."

Natural Translation

Her command of foreign languages is impressive.

Explore French by topic