French word

mairie

Pronunciation

IPA/meʁi/

Meaning

  • feminine nountown hall

Example

La mairie est fermée le dimanche.

The town hall is closed on Sundays.

Illustration for mairie (town hall)

More examples

Je dois aller à la mairie pour renouveler ma carte d'identité.

I have to go to the town hall to renew my identity card.

Core concept

A town's municipal office, where the mayor's administration handles civil paperwork.

Common phrases

  • aller à la mairie

    go to the town hall

  • à la mairie

    to the town hall

  • les horaires de la mairie

    town hall opening hours

  • les services de la mairie

    town hall services

Similar words

hôtel de ville: A large central city building housing the mayor and main administrative departments.
commune: A town or city as an administrative area and local government.
préfecture: A government office overseeing administration across a wider area such as a department.

Definition in French

Administration municipale ou bâtiment où l'on accomplit des formalités civiles et où travaille le maire.

Word origin

Mairie is formed from maire, 'mayor', with the suffix -ie, which can denote an institution or place; maire comes from Latin maior, 'greater' or 'chief'.

Usage tips

  • Mairie is feminine, so standard phrases include la mairie and à la mairie.

Other meanings

  • mayor's officenoun

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