French word

maton

Pronunciation

IPA/matɔ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounprison guard

Example

Le maton ouvre la porte de la cellule.

The prison guard opens the cell door.

Illustration for maton (prison guard)

More examples

Le maton de service patrouille dans les couloirs.

The guard on duty patrols the hallways.

Core concept

A prison guard patrolling a corridor with keys and controlling access to cell doors.

Common phrases

  • maton de prison

    prison guard

  • maton de service

    guard on duty

Similar words

gardien: A guard who monitors security in a prison or other facility.
surveillant: A staff member who monitors inmates and enforces prison rules.
surveillant pénitentiaire: An official prison employee responsible for inmate custody and maintaining order.

Definition in French

Mot familier pour désigner un gardien de prison chargé de la surveillance des détenus.

Word origin

Maton is recorded in nineteenth-century French prison argot, but its precise origin remains uncertain.

Usage tips

  • Maton is familiar and informal, while surveillant pénitentiaire is the standard term in official contexts.

Opposites

Word lists with this word