French word

chef-lieu

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃɛfljø/

Meaning

  • masculine nounadministrative center

Example

Je vais au chef-lieu pour des démarches administratives.

I am going to the administrative center to take care of some administrative matters.

Illustration for chef-lieu (administrative center)

More examples

Le chef-lieu de la commune accueille la mairie et la poste.

The municipality's administrative center contains the town hall and post office.

Core concept

A marked town where a territory's official administration is based.

Common phrases

  • se rendre au chef-lieu

    go to the administrative seat

  • le chef-lieu de la commune

    the administrative center of the municipality

Similar words

mairie: The building or location of a municipal government office for resident procedures.
préfecture: The building or location of a regional government office handling licenses and other procedures.

Definition in French

Désigne la localité qui sert de siège officiel d'une collectivité territoriale ou d'une administration.

Word origin

The compound joins French chef, meaning chief or principal, with lieu, meaning place; both words descend through Old French from Latin caput and locus.

Usage tips

  • In chef-lieu, chef means chief or principal rather than cook, despite the familiar English meaning of chef.

Other meanings

  • provincial capitalnoun
  • county seatnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word