French word

ambassade

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃basad/

Meaning

  • feminine nounembassy

Example

Où se trouve l'ambassade la plus proche ?

Where is the nearest embassy?

Illustration for ambassade (embassy)

More examples

J'ai appelé l'ambassade pour demander des informations.

I called the embassy to ask for information.

Core concept

A state's official outpost abroad, where diplomats represent it and help its citizens.

Common phrases

  • prendre contact avec l'ambassade

    contact the embassy

  • le service consulaire de l'ambassade

    the embassy's consular section

  • l'ambassade de mon pays

    my country's embassy

Similar words

consulat: A government office abroad that helps citizens and processes passports and visas.
ambassadeur: A high-ranking government representative responsible for foreign negotiations and official events.

Definition in French

Institution officielle d'un État établie à l'étranger, chargée de représenter cet État auprès du pays hôte, de conduire les relations diplomatiques et d'assister ses ressortissants.

Word origin

French ambassade came through Old French from Italian ambasciata, ultimately tracing to Latin ambactus, a Gaulish-derived word for a messenger or attendant.

Usage tips

  • Ambassade is feminine, so the phrase is à l'ambassade, with the article elided before the vowel.

Related words

  • ambassadricefemale ambassadornoun
  • ambassadeurambassadornoun

Word lists with this word