French Conversation · Level 156
28 words
French word
maîtrise
Pronunciation
IPA/metʁiz/
Meaning
- feminine nounmastery
Example
La maîtrise d'une langue demande du temps.
Mastery of a language takes time.
More examples
Il a montré une grande maîtrise de la situation.
He showed great mastery of the situation.
Core concept
A skilled operator using learned ability freely, precisely, and efficiently in varied conditions.
Common phrases
avoir la maîtrise de
to have mastery of ___
la maîtrise de soi
self-mastery
niveau de maîtrise
level of mastery
Similar words
compétence: The ability acquired to handle a specific task or type of activity.
connaissance: Knowledge or understanding of facts and information.
Definition in French
Capacité acquise à utiliser et contrôler efficacement une compétence dans des situations variées.
Word origin
Maîtrise is an inherited French formation from Old French maistrise, based on maistre and connected ultimately with Latin magister.
Usage tips
- Maîtrise sounds relatively formal in everyday language about speaking ability, where parler couramment or se débrouiller may be more natural.