French Conversation · Level 40
75 words
French word
chauffeur
Pronunciation
IPA/ʃofœʁ/
Meaning
- masculine noundriver
Example
Le chauffeur attend devant l'hôtel.
The driver is waiting in front of the hotel.
More examples
Le chauffeur de taxi m'a emmené à la gare.
The taxi driver took me to the station.
Core concept
A professional driver seated at the wheel of a vehicle while transporting people or goods for work.
Common phrases
chauffeur de taxi
taxi driver
chauffeur de bus
bus driver
chauffeur privé
personal chauffeur
Similar words
conducteur: A person who drives a vehicle.
automobiliste: A private individual who drives a car.
chauffeur de bus: A professional bus driver on a regular route carrying passengers.
livreur: A professional who drives to deliver packages or goods.
Definition in French
Personne employée pour conduire un taxi, un camion, une voiture de service ou tout autre véhicule.
Word origin
French chauffeur comes from chauffer, 'to heat', because it first referred to a worker who tended the fire of a steam engine before meaning a vehicle driver.
Usage tips
- Unlike English chauffeur, French chauffeur commonly refers to taxi, truck, and service-car drivers, not only private luxury drivers.