Esta página en tu idioma

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A1 noun #6,000 más común 12 min de lectura

guichet

Top 6,000

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos guichet en 30 segundos

Explicación guichet in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'guichet' is essential for basic survival in a French-speaking environment. You will primarily use it when traveling or doing simple errands. Think of it as the 'ticket window'. When you go to a train station (la gare) or a metro station, you need to find the 'guichet' to buy your ticket if you don't want to use a machine. You will learn the phrase 'au guichet' (at the window). At this level, you should focus on identifying the physical object and knowing that it is a masculine noun ('le guichet'). You might also encounter it at the bank when you need to withdraw money, although at A1, you'll mostly be looking for the 'guichet automatique' (ATM). Simple sentences like 'Où est le guichet ?' (Where is the ticket window?) or 'Le guichet est fermé' (The window is closed) are typical for this stage. It's a 'concrete' noun, meaning it refers to a physical thing you can point to, which makes it easier to memorize. You should also be aware that the person working there is a 'guichetier', though you might just say 'l'employé' at first. The goal at A1 is to recognize the word on signs and use it to ask for directions or services.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'guichet' in more complex social interactions. You are no longer just asking where it is; you are describing what you do there. You might explain that you are waiting 'devant le guichet' (in front of the window) or that you have a problem to resolve 'au guichet'. This level introduces the idea of the 'guichet' in different settings like the post office (la Poste) or a museum. You will start to use related verbs like 's'adresser au guichet' (to speak/apply at the counter). You also become more familiar with the plural 'les guichets' and the contracted form 'aux guichets'. For example, 'Il y a trop de monde aux guichets'. You might also learn about the 'guichet automatique de billets' (GAB) as the formal term for an ATM. At A2, you are expected to understand simple instructions involving the word, such as 'Prenez un ticket et attendez votre tour au guichet 4'. You are also beginning to distinguish 'guichet' from 'caisse' (cashier) and 'accueil' (reception), understanding that 'guichet' usually implies a specific service window rather than a general welcome desk.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

By B1, you are comfortable using 'guichet' in administrative and professional contexts. You understand the concept of a 'guichet unique' (one-stop shop) and can discuss the efficiency of public services. You might describe an experience with French bureaucracy, using phrases like 'faire la queue au guichet pendant une heure' (waiting in line at the window for an hour). You also start to encounter the word in idiomatic expressions or more abstract contexts. For instance, you might read in a newspaper about 'le guichet de l'emploi' or 'le guichet social', where the word represents an entire service department rather than just a physical window. Your vocabulary expands to include the 'guichetier' (the clerk) and the specific etiquette required when interacting with them. You can handle situations where the guichet is the site of a negotiation or a complex request, like asking for a refund or changing a booking. You understand the nuance of 'jouer à guichets fermés' in the context of entertainment and culture. At this level, 'guichet' is a versatile tool for describing both physical locations and the systems of service they represent.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

At the B2 level, you have a nuanced understanding of 'guichet' and can use it in formal debates or detailed descriptions of social systems. You might discuss the 'dématérialisation des guichets' (the move from physical windows to online services) and its impact on the elderly or rural populations. You are familiar with the term 'guichet permanent' or 'guichet de garde'. You understand the historical weight of the word—how the 'guichet' has traditionally been the face of the French state for its citizens. You can use the word in more sophisticated grammatical structures, such as passive forms or complex relative clauses: 'Le guichet auquel je me suis adressé était déjà fermé'. You also recognize the word in literary or cinematic contexts, where the 'guichet' often serves as a symbol of barrier, exclusion, or the coldness of bureaucracy. You can distinguish between the 'guichet' of a bank and the 'comptoir' of a retail store with perfect precision. Your use of the word is no longer just about getting a ticket; it's about navigating the social and administrative structures of a French-speaking society with ease and cultural awareness.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

At the C1 level, you use 'guichet' with the precision of a native speaker, including its most formal and technical applications. You are aware of its etymological roots (the 'small door') and how this history influences its modern use in architecture and security. You can discuss 'l'économie de guichet' (an economy based on direct service interactions) or the 'politique du guichet unique' in high-level political or economic discourse. You are sensitive to the register of the word; you know when to use 'guichet automatique' versus 'distributeur' or 'borne' to convey a specific tone. You can interpret and use the word in metaphorical ways, such as 'le guichet des opportunités'. In writing, you might use 'guichet' to describe the physical layout of a historical building or the specific mechanics of a transaction in a period novel. You understand the subtle difference between 'vente au guichet' and 'vente en salle'. Your mastery includes knowing all the derivatives and how they function in specialized fields like finance, law, or public administration. You can also critique the 'culture du guichet' in French sociology, discussing the power dynamics between the official behind the glass and the citizen in front of it.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

At the C2 level, 'guichet' is a word you can manipulate with absolute stylistic flexibility. You understand its deepest connotations and can use it in creative writing or academic research. You might explore the 'guichet' as a motif in French existentialist literature (like Kafkaesque themes in French settings) where the window represents an unreachable authority. You are familiar with rare or archaic uses, such as the 'guichet' of a prison or a fortress. You can engage in complex linguistic analysis of how the word 'guichet' has evolved differently in various Francophone regions (France vs. Quebec vs. Africa). You might use the word in a pun or a sophisticated rhetorical device. For you, 'guichet' is not just a vocabulary item; it is a cultural artifact that encapsulates centuries of French administrative history, architectural evolution, and social interaction. You can speak about the 'guichet' with an awareness of its phonological properties, its place in the French lexicon, and its resonance in the collective imagination of French speakers. Your command is such that you could explain the nuances of this word to other learners, including the most subtle differences in usage across different historical periods and social classes.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

guichet en 30 segundos

A masculine noun meaning ticket window or service counter.
Used in stations, banks, post offices, and theaters.
Includes automated versions like ATMs (guichet automatique).
Essential for navigating French administration and travel.

The French word guichet is a fundamental noun that every traveler and resident in a French-speaking country must master. At its core, it refers to a service window, a ticket counter, or a wicket. Historically, the word derives from the Old French 'guiquet', meaning a small door or opening within a larger gate. Today, when you walk into a train station (la gare), a theater (le théâtre), or a bank (la banque), the guichet is the physical point of interaction between the customer and the service provider.

Physical Context: The guichet is often characterized by a glass partition, a small slot for passing documents or money, and sometimes an intercom system. It represents the formal boundary of a service area.

Il y a toujours une longue file d'attente devant le guichet central de la gare Montparnasse.

In the modern era, the term has expanded significantly. Perhaps the most common version you will encounter is the guichet automatique, which refers to an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) or a self-service kiosk for buying tickets. Even though the physical 'window' has been replaced by a screen and buttons, the concept of the 'guichet' as the point of transaction remains intact. In administrative contexts, you might hear about a guichet unique, which translates to a 'one-stop shop'—a single office where one can handle multiple bureaucratic procedures at once.

Cultural Nuance: In France, the guichet is a symbol of the 'administration'. The person working behind it is called a guichetier or guichetière. Interacting with them often requires a specific level of formality and politeness.

Veuillez présenter votre pièce d'identité au guichet numéro quatre.

Understanding the word guichet also means understanding the rhythm of French public life. Whether you are collecting a package at the post office (la Poste) or asking for information at a museum, you are looking for the guichet. It is the gateway to services. In sports, 'jouer à guichets fermés' is a common idiom meaning a game is sold out, literalizing the idea that the ticket windows are closed because no more seats remain. This demonstrates how the word permeates various aspects of French culture beyond just transportation.

Evolution: From a physical slit in a medieval door to a digital interface on a touchscreen, the guichet remains the essential node of exchange in French society.

Le guichet de la banque est ouvert jusqu'à seize heures.

To truly master this word, one must recognize its versatility. It is not just a 'box office' (which could also be billetterie), but specifically the physical window itself. When you are standing 'au guichet', you are at the point of service. If you are 'derrière le guichet', you are the employee. This spatial relationship is key to using the word correctly in daily conversation. As you progress in French, you will find that 'guichet' is one of those 'utility' words that anchors many interactions in the public sphere, making it an indispensable part of your vocabulary at the A1 level and beyond.

Using guichet correctly involves understanding its grammatical gender and the prepositions that typically accompany it. As a masculine noun, it is preceded by 'le', 'un', or 'du'. The most common preposition used with guichet is 'à', which contracts with 'le' to become au guichet (at the window).

Prepositional Use: 'Au guichet' is the standard way to say 'at the counter'. Use 'devant le guichet' to specify standing in front of it, or 'par le guichet' if something is passed through the opening.

Puis-je acheter mon billet directement au guichet ou dois-je utiliser la borne ?

When constructing sentences, guichet often acts as the direct object of verbs like 'chercher' (to look for), 'trouver' (to find), or 's'approcher de' (to approach). Because it is a physical location, it is frequently paired with verbs of movement. For example, 'aller au guichet' (to go to the counter) is a phrase you will use constantly when navigating French administration or travel hubs.

Common Verbs: Verbs like 'ouvrir' (to open) and 'fermer' (to close) are often used with guichet. 'Le guichet ouvre à neuf heures' (The window opens at nine o'clock).

L'employé a fermé son guichet juste avant mon tour.

In more advanced usage, guichet appears in compound nouns. Guichet automatique de billets (GAB) is the full term for an ATM, though people often just say 'le guichet' or 'le distributeur'. In a business or government context, le guichet unique is a powerful concept. Sentence example: 'Le gouvernement a mis en place un guichet unique pour simplifier les démarches des entrepreneurs.' Here, it represents a centralized point of service rather than just a physical window.

Negative Structures: 'Il n'y a plus personne au guichet' (There is no longer anyone at the counter). This is a common way to express that service is unavailable.

Ne restez pas planté devant le guichet si vous avez fini votre transaction.

Finally, pay attention to the plural form guichets. In phrases like 'la vente aux guichets' (over-the-counter sales), it refers to the general availability of tickets at the physical location rather than online. Mastery of these patterns ensures that your French sounds natural and precise, whether you are asking for a train ticket or navigating complex administrative tasks.

The word guichet is ubiquitous in the French landscape, echoing through the halls of public infrastructure. If you are in a French city, the first place you will likely hear it is at the gare (train station). Announcements might broadcast: 'Les billets sont disponibles aux guichets et sur les bornes automatiques.' Here, the word provides a clear direction for travelers needing human assistance versus machine service.

At the Post Office (La Poste): In a French post office, you will often see signs numbered 1, 2, 3... indicating different guichets. You might hear: 'Veuillez vous diriger vers le guichet numéro trois.'

Excusez-moi, est-ce que ce guichet est ouvert pour les recommandés ?

In the banking sector, while many tasks are now digital, the guichet remains the focal point for cash withdrawals or complex consultations. In Quebec, the term 'guichet' is the everyday word for an ATM. If someone asks you, 'Où est le guichet le plus proche ?', they are looking for a place to withdraw money. In France, while 'distributeur' is common, 'guichet automatique' is the formal term seen on signage and bank statements.

Sports and Events: You will hear sports commentators say, 'Le match se jouera à guichets fermés.' This is a common expression meaning every single ticket has been sold.

Le concert est complet, les guichets n'ouvriront pas ce soir.

Administrative offices (mairies, préfectures) are another primary location. The 'guichet' here can be a place of stress or relief. Phrases like 'faire la queue au guichet' (to wait in line at the counter) are part of the collective French experience of bureaucracy. You might also hear it in news reports concerning 'le guichet social' or 'le guichet des entreprises', referring to government portals or physical offices dedicated to specific social or business services.

Cultural Context: The guichet is often personified in French cinema and literature as a place of comedic or dramatic interaction between the 'petit fonctionnaire' (small official) and the public.

L'accueil vous orientera vers le bon guichet selon votre demande.

Whether it is the 'guichet de l'état civil' for a birth certificate or the 'guichet de la RATP' for a metro pass, the word is a constant companion in the French-speaking world. It signifies a point of human contact in an increasingly automated world, making it a word of both practical necessity and social significance.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing guichet with fenêtre. While both can be translated as 'window' in English, they are never interchangeable in French. A fenêtre is an architectural window in a wall that lets in light and air. A guichet is a service window. If you ask where the 'fenêtre' is in a train station, people will point to the glass in the wall, not the place to buy tickets.

Guichet vs. Comptoir: A 'comptoir' is a counter (like in a bar or a shop) that is usually open. A 'guichet' often implies a barrier, like glass or a small opening. Use 'guichet' for formal services like banks or stations.

Faux : Je vais à la fenêtre pour acheter un billet.
Correct : Je vais au guichet pour acheter un billet.

Another common error involves gender. Since it ends in '-et', many learners correctly guess it is masculine, but forget to contract the preposition. Saying 'à le guichet' is a classic beginner mistake; it must always be au guichet. Similarly, in the plural, it is aux guichets, never 'à les guichets'. Precision with these contractions is a hallmark of moving from A1 to A2 level proficiency.

Misusing 'Guichet Automatique': In France, if you need cash, it is more common to ask for a 'distributeur'. If you ask for a 'guichet automatique', people will understand, but it sounds a bit formal or specifically Canadian-French.

Attention : Ne confondez pas guichet (ticket window) et vitrine (shop window).

Learners also sometimes struggle with the term guichet unique. They might try to translate 'one-stop shop' literally (un magasin d'un arrêt?), which makes no sense in French. Remembering that 'guichet' is the default word for any administrative interface will help you avoid these clunky literal translations. Furthermore, avoid using 'guichet' for a computer window (the digital kind on your desktop); that is always an fenêtre. This distinction between physical service windows and digital windows is crucial.

Contextual Error: Using 'guichet' when you mean 'caisse' (cash register). At a supermarket, you go to the 'caisse', not the 'guichet'. 'Guichet' is for services, 'caisse' is for retail payment.

Au supermarché, on paie à la caisse. À la banque, on s'adresse au guichet.

By keeping these distinctions in mind—especially the difference between service (guichet), retail (caisse), and architecture (fenêtre)—you will navigate French environments with much greater confidence and accuracy.

While guichet is a specific and widely used term, there are several other words that overlap in meaning depending on the context. Understanding these nuances will enrich your vocabulary and help you choose the most appropriate word for the situation. The most common alternative is comptoir, but as we discussed, this usually refers to an open counter without a glass partition.

Guichet vs. Billetterie: Billetterie refers to the ticket office as a whole or the ticketing system. You might say 'La billetterie est en ligne', but you stand 'au guichet' to speak to someone.

J'ai acheté mes places à la billetterie, mais je dois les retirer au guichet 'Retrait'.

Another related term is caisse. While 'guichet' focuses on the service window, 'caisse' focuses on the transaction and the money. In a cinema, the 'caisse' is where you pay. In a bank, the 'caisse' is specifically the teller's station where cash is handled. In many small theaters, 'guichet' and 'caisse' are used almost interchangeably, but 'guichet' sounds slightly more formal and architectural.

Guichet vs. Accueil: Accueil means 'reception' or 'welcome desk'. It is usually a broader area. A large office might have an 'accueil' where they then tell you to go to 'guichet 5'.

Adressez-vous d'abord à l'accueil, ils vous diront quel guichet est libre.

In the context of transportation, you might encounter borne or automate. These refer specifically to the machines. While 'guichet automatique' is a valid term, 'borne' is very common for the touch-screen pillars found in metro stations. If you want to avoid human interaction, you look for a 'borne'; if you need help, you look for the 'guichet'.

Technical Synonyms: In administrative jargon, you might see point de contact or antenne, but 'guichet' remains the most concrete and common term for the public.

La poste a ouvert une nouvelle antenne avec trois guichets supplémentaires.

By comparing guichet with billetterie, caisse, accueil, and borne, you gain a 360-degree view of how French speakers navigate service environments. Each word has its place, but 'guichet' is the essential anchor for any physical window-based service interaction.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The word 'wicket' in English (used in cricket or for small gates) shares the same etymological root as the French 'guichet'!

Guía de pronunciación

UK /ɡi.ʃɛ/

US /ɡi.ʃɛ/

The stress is slightly on the last syllable: gui-CHET.

Rima con

billet jouet poulet projet objet sujet trajet muguet

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the final 't'.
Pronouncing 'gui' like 'guy' in English.
Using a hard 'ch' (like 'cheese') instead of 'sh'.
Making the 'et' sound like 'et' in 'pet'.
Confusing the 'u' sound with an English 'w'.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 1/5

Very easy to recognize on signs and in text.

Escritura 2/5

Simple spelling, but remember the silent 't'.

Expresión oral 2/5

Requires practice with the 'gui' and 'ch' sounds.

Escucha 1/5

Distinctive sound, usually easy to hear in announcements.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

la gare le billet banque ouvert fermé

Aprende después

guichetier billetterie comptoir distributeur file d'attente

Avanzado

dématérialisation bureaucratie interstice guichet unique

Gramática que debes saber

Contractions with 'à'

À + le guichet = Au guichet.

Masculine endings in -et

Most words ending in -et are masculine (le guichet, le billet).

Plural formation

Add 's' to make 'guichets'.

Silent final consonants

The 't' in guichet is silent, like in 'cabaret' or 'billet'.

Compound Noun Gender

Guichet automatique remains masculine because 'guichet' is the head noun.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

Ejemplos por nivel

Où est le guichet pour les billets ?

Where is the window for the tickets?

Simple question using 'Où est' + masculine noun.

Le guichet est ouvert maintenant.

The window is open now.

Subject (le guichet) + verb (est) + adjective (ouvert).

Je vais au guichet.

I am going to the counter.

Contraction of 'à' + 'le' = 'au'.

Il y a un guichet automatique ici.

There is an ATM here.

Compound noun: guichet + automatique.

Le guichet ferme à midi.

The window closes at noon.

Present tense of 'fermer'.

Attendez devant le guichet, s'il vous plaît.

Wait in front of the window, please.

Imperative form + preposition 'devant'.

C'est le guichet numéro deux.

It is window number two.

Identification using 'C'est'.

Le guichet est à gauche.

The window is on the left.

Giving directions with 'est à gauche'.

Vous devez présenter votre passeport au guichet.

You must present your passport at the window.

Modal verb 'devoir' + infinitive.

Il y a beaucoup de monde aux guichets de la banque.

There are many people at the bank windows.

Plural contraction 'aux'.

Le guichetier m'a donné un plan de la ville.

The clerk gave me a map of the city.

Noun derivative: guichetier (clerk).

Je ne trouve pas le guichet automatique.

I cannot find the ATM.

Negative structure 'ne... pas'.

Le guichet de poste est juste là-bas.

The post office counter is just over there.

Noun + de + noun structure.

Veuillez faire la queue au guichet.

Please wait in line at the window.

Common expression 'faire la queue'.

Le guichet accepte les cartes bancaires.

The window accepts bank cards.

Transitive verb 'accepter'.

Puis-je retirer de l'argent au guichet ?

Can I withdraw money at the counter?

Question with 'Puis-je'.

Le guichet unique facilite les démarches administratives.

The one-stop shop simplifies administrative procedures.

Concept of 'guichet unique'.

Le concert de ce soir se joue à guichets fermés.

Tonight's concert is sold out.

Idiomatic expression 'à guichets fermés'.

Il s'est adressé au guichet pour obtenir un remboursement.

He went to the window to get a refund.

Reflexive verb 's'adresser à'.

Malheureusement, tous les guichets étaient déjà fermés à mon arrivée.

Unfortunately, all the windows were already closed when I arrived.

Imperfect tense for description.

L'employé derrière le guichet était très serviable.

The employee behind the window was very helpful.

Preposition 'derrière'.

On peut acheter des timbres au guichet numéro trois.

One can buy stamps at window number three.

Indefinite pronoun 'on'.

Le guichet automatique ne fonctionne plus.

The ATM is no longer working.

Negative 'ne... plus'.

Vérifiez les horaires d'ouverture du guichet avant de partir.

Check the opening hours of the window before leaving.

Imperative + 'avant de' + infinitive.

La dématérialisation réduit le nombre de guichets physiques.

Digitalization is reducing the number of physical counters.

Abstract noun 'dématérialisation'.

Il a dû passer par plusieurs guichets pour obtenir son permis.

He had to go through several windows to get his permit.

Preposition 'par' indicating a process.

Le retrait d'espèces est limité au guichet pour des raisons de sécurité.

Cash withdrawal is limited at the counter for security reasons.

Passive-style structure with 'est limité'.

C'est au guichet de l'état civil qu'on déclare les naissances.

It is at the civil registry window that births are declared.

Cleft sentence 'C'est... que'.

Bien qu'il y ait des machines, je préfère parler à quelqu'un au guichet.

Although there are machines, I prefer to speak to someone at the window.

Subjunctive after 'bien que'.

Le guichetier a vérifié l'authenticité des billets avec soin.

The clerk checked the authenticity of the banknotes carefully.

Adverbial phrase 'avec soin'.

Les guichets de la préfecture sont souvent surchargés.

The prefecture counters are often overloaded.

Adjective 'surchargés' agreeing with 'guichets'.

Le projet vise à créer un guichet unique pour les investisseurs.

The project aims to create a one-stop shop for investors.

Verb 'viser à' + infinitive.

L'architecture du bâtiment prévoyait des guichets blindés.

The building's architecture provided for armored windows.

Imperfect tense for architectural description.

On assiste à une disparition progressive du guichet au profit du numérique.

We are witnessing a progressive disappearance of the counter in favor of digital.

Expression 'au profit de'.

Le guichetier faisait preuve d'un flegme tout administratif.

The clerk showed a completely administrative composure.

Literary expression 'faire preuve de'.

Les revendications portaient sur l'ouverture de nouveaux guichets en zone rurale.

The demands concerned the opening of new counters in rural areas.

Verb 'porter sur' (to be about).

Le guichet de la banque est devenu un lieu de tension sociale.

The bank counter has become a place of social tension.

Past participle 'devenu'.

Malgré l'automatisation, le guichet reste un point de contact humain indispensable.

Despite automation, the counter remains an indispensable point of human contact.

Concession with 'malgré'.

La file s'étirait bien au-delà des guichets de contrôle.

The line stretched far beyond the control counters.

Adverbial phrase 'bien au-delà de'.

L'accès au guichet est réservé aux personnes munies d'une convocation.

Access to the window is reserved for people with a summons.

Adjective 'munies' (provided with).

Le guichet, cet interstice entre l'usager et l'institution, cristallise les frustrations.

The counter, that gap between the user and the institution, crystallizes frustrations.

Apposition and metaphorical use of 'cristalliser'.

Il observait le monde à travers le guichet étroit de sa cellule.

He observed the world through the narrow wicket of his cell.

Archaic/Literary use of guichet.

La mise en place d'un guichet unique relève d'une volonté de simplification systémique.

The implementation of a one-stop shop stems from a desire for systemic simplification.

Verb 'relever de' (to stem from).

Sous l'Ancien Régime, le guichet désignait souvent une petite porte dérobée.

Under the Ancien Régime, 'guichet' often referred to a small hidden door.

Historical context and imperfect tense.

L'employé s'effaçait derrière l'anonymat protecteur de son guichet.

The employee faded behind the protective anonymity of his counter.

Reflexive verb 's'effacer'.

L'affluence record a contraint la direction à fermer les guichets par anticipation.

The record crowd forced management to close the windows in anticipation.

Structure 'contraindre quelqu'un à'.

Chaque guichet est une frontière bureaucratique qu'il faut franchir.

Every counter is a bureaucratic border that must be crossed.

Metaphorical use of 'frontière'.

Le guichetier, tel un gardien du temple, exigeait les documents originaux.

The clerk, like a temple guardian, demanded the original documents.

Simile with 'tel un'.

Colocaciones comunes

au guichet

guichet automatique

guichet unique

fermer le guichet

guichet de banque

file d'attente au guichet

retrait au guichet

guichet de gare

s'adresser au guichet

guichet de poste

Frases Comunes

Le guichet est fermé.

— The window is closed. Used when service is unavailable.

Revenez demain, le guichet est fermé.

Prochain client au guichet !

— Next customer at the window! Used by clerks.

L'employé a crié : Prochain client au guichet !

Vente au guichet uniquement.

— Sales at the window only. No online sales.

Pour ce match, c'est vente au guichet uniquement.

Retrait des billets au guichet.

— Ticket pickup at the counter.

Sélectionnez l'option 'Retrait des billets au guichet'.

S'approcher du guichet.

— To approach the window.

Veuillez vous approcher du guichet numéro 5.

Un guichet d'accueil.

— A reception desk/window.

Il y a un guichet d'accueil à l'entrée de l'hôpital.

Passer par le guichet.

— To go through the window (process).

Il faut passer par le guichet pour valider votre dossier.

Derrière le guichet.

— Behind the window (from the employee's side).

L'homme derrière le guichet semblait fatigué.

Le guichet de nuit.

— The night window (for after-hours service).

Cette pharmacie a un guichet de nuit.

Faire le guichet.

— To work at the counter (informal/professional).

C'est mon tour de faire le guichet ce matin.

Se confunde a menudo con

guichet vs fenêtre

A 'fenêtre' is for light/air in a house. A 'guichet' is for service.

guichet vs comptoir

A 'comptoir' is an open counter. A 'guichet' usually has a window/barrier.

guichet vs caisse

A 'caisse' is specifically for paying money in a shop.

Modismos y expresiones

"À guichets fermés"

— Sold out. Literally 'with closed windows'.

Le stade est plein, on joue à guichets fermés.

neutral

"Économie de guichet"

— An economy characterized by direct administrative service.

Les réformes visent à sortir de l'économie de guichet.

academic

"Guichet unique"

— One-stop shop. A single point for multiple services.

Nous avons créé un guichet unique pour les nouveaux arrivants.

formal

"Politique du guichet"

— Bureaucratic policy focused on procedure over people.

La politique du guichet ralentit les innovations.

formal

"Rester au guichet"

— To stay at the post (often used metaphorically in work).

Il est resté au guichet toute sa carrière.

neutral

"Guichet social"

— The entry point for social services.

Le guichet social aide les familles en difficulté.

formal

"Vendre au guichet"

— To sell directly to the public.

Ils ont décidé de tout vendre au guichet.

neutral

"Guichet de la mort"

— Informal/slang for a very difficult administrative window.

Ce bureau est surnommé le guichet de la mort.

informal

"Pousser le guichet"

— To open the small door (archaic).

Il poussa le guichet pour entrer dans la cour.

literary

"Guichet de l'info"

— Metaphorical 'information desk' in media.

Bienvenue au guichet de l'info de 20 heures.

neutral

Fácil de confundir

guichet vs vitrine

Both involve glass windows.

A vitrine is a shop window for displaying products. A guichet is for interacting with a person.

Je regarde la vitrine du magasin, puis je vais au guichet pour payer.

guichet vs billetterie

Both relate to tickets.

Billetterie is the abstract service or the office. Guichet is the specific physical window.

La billetterie est fermée, mais le guichet automatique fonctionne.

guichet vs guichetier

Similar root.

Guichet is the place. Guichetier is the person working there.

Le guichetier m'a parlé à travers le guichet.

guichet vs porte

Guichet comes from the word for door.

A porte is for people to walk through. A guichet is too small for a person.

Ouvrez la porte pour entrer, puis allez au guichet.

guichet vs automate

Both can be machines.

Automate is any machine. Guichet automatique is specifically for banking or tickets.

Cet automate est un guichet de banque.

Patrones de oraciones

Où est le guichet ?

Où est le guichet de la gare ?

Le guichet est [adjective].

Le guichet est fermé.

Je vais au guichet pour [verb].

Je vais au guichet pour acheter un billet.

Il y a une file devant le guichet.

Il y a une longue file devant le guichet 4.

S'adresser au guichet de [noun].

Il faut s'adresser au guichet de l'accueil.

Le guichet unique permet de [verb].

Le guichet unique permet de gagner du temps.

À travers le guichet de [noun].

À travers le guichet de l'histoire, on voit les changements.

Jouer à guichets fermés.

L'opéra joue à guichets fermés depuis un mois.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

guichetier

guichetière

guichet automatique

Verbos

guilleter (related in printing)

s'adresser (common action)

Adjetivos

guichetier (rarely used as adj)

Relacionado

billet

ticket

comptoir

caisse

fenêtre

Regístrate gratis para ver todos los ejemplos

Cómo usarlo

frequency

Very high in administrative, travel, and financial domains.

Errores comunes

Je vais à la fenêtre pour un billet. → Je vais au guichet pour un billet.
Fenêtre is an architectural window; guichet is a service window.
Où est le guichet automatique de l'argent ? → Où est le guichet automatique / le distributeur ?
You don't need to add 'de l'argent'; the machine's purpose is implied.
Le guichet est fermé à les six heures. → Le guichet ferme à six heures.
Don't use 'est fermé' for a schedule; use the verb 'fermer'. Also, 'à' doesn't need 'les' here.
J'attends à le guichet. → J'attends au guichet.
Mandatory contraction of 'à + le'.
Le guichetier est derrière la fenêtre. → Le guichetier est derrière le guichet.
Again, using 'fenêtre' instead of 'guichet' sounds very unnatural in a service context.

Consejos

Watch the Contraction

Always remember that 'à + le' becomes 'au'. You will almost always say 'au guichet', never 'à le guichet'. This is a very common mistake for beginners.

ATM vs. Window

In France, if you want money, ask for a 'distributeur'. If you ask for a 'guichet', they might point you to a human teller inside the bank.

Politeness Matters

When you arrive at a guichet, always say 'Bonjour' before asking your question. It is considered very rude to start a transaction without a greeting.

Station Signs

Look for signs that say 'Vente' or 'Billets'—the guichet is usually right under or next to these signs in a station.

Silent T

Remember the 't' at the end of guichet. Even though you don't say it, you must write it. It follows the pattern of many French words like 'ticket' or 'billet'.

Number Patterns

Clerks often call out numbers: 'Guichet 3!'. Practice your numbers 1-20 so you know when it's your turn in a busy office.

Sold Out

If you see 'Guichets Fermés' on a theater poster, don't try to go in—it's completely sold out!

One-Stop Shop

The 'guichet unique' is a great concept to know for business. It means you only have to go to one place to get everything done.

The 'GUI' sound

The 'u' is silent after 'g' in 'guichet'. It just makes the 'g' hard. It's not 'gwee-shay', it's 'gee-shay'.

Plural Usage

When referring to a place with many windows, use the plural: 'Les guichets de la poste sont toujours pleins'.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a **gui**tarist playing at a **she**d window. Gui-chet. You go to the guichet to get your concert ticket!

Asociación visual

Imagine a thick glass window with a small semi-circle cut out at the bottom. This is the classic 'guichet'.

Word Web

Gare Banque Billet Argent Vitre File d'attente Employé Poste

Desafío

Try to find three different 'guichets' in your city today. Is there one at the bank? The cinema? The library?

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Old French word 'guiquet', which is a diminutive of 'guic' (a small door). It has Germanic origins, possibly related to the Old Norse 'vik' (a corner or opening).

Significado original: A small door or wicket built into a larger door or gate, allowing people to look out or pass small items without opening the whole gate.

Indo-European > Romance > French

Contexto cultural

Be polite to people working at the guichet. Using 'Bonjour' and 'Merci' is mandatory in French culture to get good service.

In English, we use different words like 'counter', 'window', 'box office', or 'ATM'. French uses 'guichet' for all of these, which can be confusing at first.

The film 'Le Guichet' (1972) exploring bureaucratic themes. The song 'Au guichet d'un café' by various French artists. Kafka's influence on French literature often features 'guichet'-like barriers.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Train Station

Où est le guichet ?
Le guichet est-il ouvert ?
Retrait au guichet.
File d'attente au guichet.

Bank

Guichet automatique.
Opération au guichet.
Le guichet de retrait.
S'adresser au guichetier.

Post Office

Guichet numéro 3.
Veuillez aller au guichet.
Dépôt de colis au guichet.
Guichet de l'accueil.

Theater/Cinema

Vente au guichet.
Guichets fermés.
Retirer les places au guichet.
Ouverture du guichet.

Administration

Guichet unique.
Passer au guichet.
Horaires du guichet.
Guichet de la préfecture.

Inicios de conversación

"Savez-vous si le guichet est encore ouvert à cette heure-ci ?"

"Pensez-vous qu'il est préférable d'acheter le billet au guichet ou en ligne ?"

"Est-ce qu'il y a un guichet automatique dans cette rue ?"

"Avez-vous déjà utilisé le guichet unique pour vos papiers ?"

"Pourquoi y a-t-il toujours une telle file d'attente au guichet de la poste ?"

Temas para diario

Décrivez votre dernière interaction au guichet d'une gare ou d'une banque.

Préférez-vous parler à une personne au guichet ou utiliser une machine automatique ? Pourquoi ?

Imaginez que vous travaillez derrière un guichet. Quel genre de clients rencontrez-vous ?

Le concept de 'guichet unique' est-il efficace selon vous pour simplifier la vie ?

Racontez une histoire drôle ou frustrante qui s'est passée alors que vous attendiez au guichet.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

It is masculine: 'le guichet'. You should use 'un' or 'le' with it. For example, 'Le guichet est là-bas'.

You can say 'un guichet automatique' or 'un distributeur'. In Quebec, 'guichet' is the most common word for it.

It means 'sold out'. It's used for concerts, movies, or sports matches when no more tickets are available at the windows.

No, for a computer window (like in Windows OS), you must use the word 'fenêtre'. 'Guichet' is only for physical service windows.

It is a 'one-stop shop'. A single place where you can handle many different administrative tasks at once to save time.

You don't! The 't' is silent. It sounds like 'gee-shay'. The 'gui' is like 'geese' without the 'se'.

In a train station (gare) or a bank (banque). These are the two most common locations for this word.

A man is a 'guichetier' and a woman is a 'guichetière'. You can also call them 'un employé' (an employee).

Yes, it is a standard word used in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, and Francophone Africa.

A 'guichet' usually has a glass partition or a small opening. A 'comptoir' is an open counter, like in a bar or for check-in at an airport.

Regístrate gratis para ver consejos y notas