How to Say ‘The teacher (female, primary school)’ in French
La maîtresse
lah may-tress
[lah may-tress]
💬 Usage Tip: A male primary teacher is le maître.
🇫🇷 In France: Children and parents say la maîtresse for the primary school teacher. From secondary school onward, it becomes le professeur or la prof.
Phrase Breakdown
La
[lah]
the (feminine singular)
Definite article used before a feminine singular noun.
La réservation est déjà confirmée pour samedi soir.
The reservation is already confirmed for Saturday evening.
maîtresse
[may-tress]
female teacher
Maîtresse is a common word in primary school for a female teacher.
Au portail, j'entends souvent : La maîtresse est très gentille.
At the gate, I often hear: 'The female teacher is very kind.'
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