Meaning of "madam" in English

The term "madam" is a courteous form of address for a woman. It is often used in formal settings to show respect. The word derives from the French "ma dame," meaning "my lady." In modern English, "madam" is frequently used in letters (e.g., "Dear Madam") or when addressing a woman in customer service or hospitality contexts. It implies politeness and formality, similar to "sir" for men. The term is sometimes abbreviated to "ma'am" in spoken English.

Meaning of "madame la" in French

"Madame la" is a respectful French address used when speaking to a woman, often in formal or official contexts. It translates to "Madam" in English and serves a similar purpose, signifying respect and formality. "Madame la" is typically followed by a title or role, such as "Madame la Présidente" for a female president. This phrase is embedded in French culture as a show of esteem and politeness, reflecting the country's traditions of etiquette.

Pronunciation of "madam" in English

Phonetic Transcription: /ˈmæd.əm/

Pronunciation Variations: In British English, "madam" is pronounced with a more pronounced 'a' sound, while in American English, the 'a' sound might be softer. The shortened form "ma'am" is often used in American English, pronounced as /mæm/.

Pronunciation of "madame la" in French

Phonetic Transcription: /ma.dam la/

Pronunciation Variations: The pronunciation of "madame la" is consistent across various French-speaking regions, maintaining a uniform accentuation on the syllables. However, regional accents may slightly influence the clarity and intonation, particularly the vowel sounds.

Sentence examples in English and translation to French

  1. Excuse me, Madam, may I help you? - Excusez-moi, Madame, puis-je vous aider?
  2. Madam, your table is ready. - Madame, votre table est prête.
  3. Please follow me, Madam. - Veuillez me suivre, Madame.
  4. Thank you, Madam, for your cooperation. - Merci, Madame, pour votre coopération.
  5. Madam, could you please sign here? - Madame, pourriez-vous signer ici, s'il vous plaît?
  6. Is there anything else you need, Madam? - Y a-t-il autre chose dont vous avez besoin, Madame?
  7. Good morning, Madam, how can I assist you today? - Bonjour, Madame, comment puis-je vous aider aujourd'hui?
  8. The meeting will start shortly, Madam. - La réunion commencera sous peu, Madame.
  9. We appreciate your feedback, Madam. - Nous apprécions vos commentaires, Madame.
  10. Madam, your taxi has arrived. - Madame, votre taxi est arrivé.

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "madam" in English

Synonyms: ma'am, lady, missus, gentlewoman, dame, mrs, ladyship, my lady, miss, madame.

Antonyms: mister, sir, gentleman, lord.

Similar Words: woman, female, matron, hostess.

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "madame la" in French

Synonyms: madame, dame, madame la présidente, madame la directrice.

Antonyms: monsieur, monsieur le, monsieur le président.

Similar Words: femme, hôtesse, patronne.

Disclaimer: These examples may contain sensitive content that does not reflect the opinions or policies of Translate.com, or its company Translate LLC. We welcome feedback: report an example sentence to our team.

Get document translations that have been custom-crafted to fit the needs of your unique industry and culture - in over 110 language pairs!
Order document translation

Translate madam into other languages