French Conversation · Level 132
30 words
French word
bureaucratique
Pronunciation
IPA/byʁokʁatik/
Meaning
- adjectivebureaucratic
Example
Le système est bureaucratique et lent.
The system is bureaucratic and slow.
More examples
La procédure est trop bureaucratique pour une simple demande.
The procedure is too bureaucratic for a simple request.
Core concept
An office system that sends every case through the same fixed forms instead of adapting.
Common phrases
procédure bureaucratique
bureaucratic procedure
système bureaucratique
bureaucratic system
administration bureaucratique
bureaucratic administration
Similar words
administratif: Concerned with administrative procedures, organizational matters, and documents.
formel: Adhering closely to prescribed formalities and procedures.
impersonnel: Detached and keeping personal feelings out of decisions.
rigide: Rigidly attached to rules and established requirements.
Definition in French
Qui applique strictement des procédures et privilégie la règle formelle plutôt que l'adaptation.
Word origin
The adjective bureaucratique derives from bureaucratie with the suffix -ique, while bureaucratie combines bureau with -cratie, from Greek kratos, meaning rule.
Usage tips
- Bureaucratique usually carries criticism, suggesting needless formality or inflexibility rather than neutral office work.
Opposites
- flexibleflexibleadjective
- décentralisédecentralizedadjective
Related words
- bureaucratiebureaucracynoun
- bureaucratiquementbureaucraticallyadverb
- bureaucratiserbureaucratizeverb