§ 'Bureau' can be tricky for English speakers
The French word 'bureau' is a classic false friend for English speakers. While it looks and sounds like 'bureau' in English (referring to a chest of drawers), its primary meaning in French is 'office' or 'desk'. This can lead to some amusing, or confusing, misunderstandings if you're not careful.
§ Using 'bureau' for a chest of drawers
One of the most common mistakes is using 'bureau' when you mean a 'chest of drawers' in English. If you're looking for a piece of furniture to put your clothes in, 'bureau' is not the word you want. The French word for a chest of drawers is actually 'commode'.
- DEFINITION
- Commode (noun, feminine): chest of drawers.
J'ai acheté une nouvelle commode pour ma chambre. (I bought a new chest of drawers for my bedroom.)
§ Confusing 'bureau' as a physical office space vs. a company
While 'bureau' can refer to an office, it's usually the physical space or a specific desk. It's not typically used to refer to a company or a business in a general sense, like 'the bureau of statistics' in English. For that, you'd use words like 'entreprise' (company) or 'agence' (agency).
- DEFINITION
- Entreprise (noun, feminine): company, business, firm.
Elle travaille pour une grande entreprise internationale. (She works for a large international company.)
§ Using 'bureau' for a home office (informal)
When talking about a home office, 'bureau' is perfectly fine. However, sometimes people try to create a more 'elegant' term, which isn't necessary. For instance, you might hear someone say 'mon petit bureau' (my small office) for a home office, which is natural. Just stick with 'bureau'.
Je travaille dans mon bureau à la maison. (I work in my office at home.)
§ Pluralizing 'bureau'
The plural of 'bureau' is 'bureaux'. The '-x' ending is common for many French nouns ending in '-eau'. Don't make the mistake of just adding an 's' like in English.
- Singular: un bureau (an office/desk)
- Plural: des bureaux (offices/desks)
Il y a plusieurs bureaux à louer dans cet immeuble. (There are several offices for rent in this building.)
§ Overusing 'bureau' for every kind of administrative building
While 'bureau' often means 'office', it's not a catch-all for every administrative building or department. For example, if you're talking about a post office, you'd say 'la poste'. For a police station, it's 'le commissariat de police'. Using 'bureau' in these contexts would sound unnatural.
- DEFINITION
- La poste (noun, feminine): the post office.
Je dois aller à la poste pour envoyer cette lettre. (I need to go to the post office to send this letter.)
- DEFINITION
- Le commissariat de police (noun, masculine): the police station.
J'ai déposé une plainte au commissariat de police. (I filed a complaint at the police station.)
재미있는 사실
The evolution of 'bureau' from a type of cloth to an office space shows how words can adapt and expand their meanings over time based on common usage.
발음 가이드
- pronouncing 'eau' like 'ow' in 'cow' (should be 'oh' as in 'go')
- pronouncing 'u' like 'oo' in 'moon' (should be a rounded 'ee' sound)
난이도
short, common word
straightforward spelling
common pronunciation, 'eau' sound
very common word, easy to recognize
다음에 무엇을 배울까
선수 학습
다음에 배울 것
고급
알아야 할 문법
The gender of 'bureau' is masculine, so it takes masculine articles and adjectives. 'Un bureau' (a desk), 'le bureau' (the office).
Le grand bureau est au troisième étage. (The big office is on the third floor.)
'Bureau' can refer to a desk or an office. The context usually makes the meaning clear.
Je travaille à mon bureau. (I work at my desk.) vs. Je vais au bureau. (I'm going to the office.)
To form the plural, add an 'x' to 'bureau': 'des bureaux'.
Il y a plusieurs bureaux dans ce bâtiment. (There are several offices in this building.)
When referring to a government department or agency, 'bureau' is often used, e.g., 'le bureau de poste' (the post office).
Où est le bureau de poste le plus proche? (Where is the nearest post office?)
The preposition 'au' (à + le) is used when going to or being at a masculine place like 'bureau'.
Elle est au bureau jusqu'à cinq heures. (She is at the office until five o'clock.)
수준별 예문
Mon père travaille dans un grand bureau au centre-ville.
My father works in a big office downtown.
J'ai besoin d'acheter un nouveau bureau pour mon ordinateur.
I need to buy a new desk for my computer.
Le bureau est ouvert de 9h à 17h.
The office is open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Elle a rangé tous ses papiers sur son bureau.
She tidied all her papers on her desk.
Nous avons une réunion importante au bureau demain matin.
We have an important meeting at the office tomorrow morning.
Le chef du bureau a annoncé les nouvelles directives.
The head of the office announced the new guidelines.
Ce bureau est très pratique avec ses tiroirs.
This desk is very practical with its drawers.
Après le travail, je rentre directement du bureau à la maison.
After work, I go directly home from the office.
Mon père travaille dans un grand bureau au centre-ville.
My father works in a large office downtown.
J'ai besoin d'acheter un nouveau bureau pour mon ordinateur.
I need to buy a new desk for my computer.
Le bureau du directeur est au deuxième étage.
The director's office is on the second floor.
Elle a un bureau bien rangé avec beaucoup de livres.
She has a tidy desk with many books.
Nous avons déménagé le bureau dans une nouvelle pièce.
We moved the office into a new room.
Les employés ont leur propre bureau dans cet espace de travail partagé.
The employees have their own desk in this shared workspace.
Le bureau de poste est juste au coin de la rue.
The post office is just around the corner.
Pouvons-nous nous retrouver à mon bureau pour discuter du projet?
Can we meet at my office to discuss the project?
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
Je vais au bureau.
I am going to the office.
Elle travaille dans un bureau.
She works in an office.
Mon bureau est petit.
My office is small.
Il est à son bureau.
He is at his desk/office.
Où est le bureau des renseignements ?
Where is the information desk/office?
J'ai un rendez-vous au bureau.
I have an appointment at the office.
Le bureau est ouvert de 9h à 17h.
The office is open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Elle a un nouveau bureau.
She has a new desk/office.
On se retrouve au bureau demain ?
Shall we meet at the office tomorrow?
Il y a beaucoup de travail au bureau.
There is a lot of work at the office.
자주 혼동되는 단어
This is a false friend! 'L'office' in French generally means a pantry, a utility room, or a religious service. It almost never means 'office' as in a workplace. Always use 'le bureau' for 'office' as a workplace.
While 'cabinet' can sometimes refer to an office (especially a doctor's, lawyer's, or minister's office), 'bureau' is the more general and common term for an office or desk. 'Cabinet' implies a professional's private office.
This refers to a 'function' or 'role,' not a physical office. Although an 'office' implies a function, 'la fonction' is about the purpose or duty, not the place.
혼동하기 쉬운
'Bureau' can refer to a type of office (like a post office), which might make learners think of 'magasin' (shop/store).
'Magasin' is a place where you buy things (a shop). 'Bureau' is typically a place where administrative work is done, or a piece of furniture. While 'le bureau de tabac' (tobacconist's) is a shop, it's a specific exception and still has 'bureau' in its name.
Je vais au magasin pour acheter du pain. (I'm going to the shop to buy bread.)
Since 'bureau' can mean 'desk,' learners might confuse it with 'table.'
A 'bureau' is specifically a desk, designed for working at, often with drawers. A 'table' is a more general term for a flat surface with legs, used for eating, working, or other activities.
Nous mangeons à la table. (We eat at the table.)
If 'bureau' means 'a study/consulting room,' learners might think of 'pièce' (room).
'Pièce' is a general term for any room in a house or building. 'Bureau' specifically refers to a room used as an office or study.
Il y a cinq pièces dans cette maison. (There are five rooms in this house.)
If 'bureau' refers to the place of work, some might think of 'entreprise' (company/business).
'Entreprise' is the entire company or business entity. 'Bureau' is the physical office or a specific administrative department within that company.
Il travaille pour une grande entreprise. (He works for a large company.)
Because of 'le bureau de poste' (post office), learners might assume 'poste' alone means 'office.'
'Poste' can refer to 'mail' or 'a position/job.' When combined with 'bureau' (bureau de poste), it forms 'post office.' 'Bureau' is the office itself.
J'ai reçu une lettre par la poste. (I received a letter by mail.)
사용법
The word bureau is super common and has a few important meanings depending on the context. Its primary meaning is 'office,' like where you work. For example, Je vais au bureau means 'I'm going to the office.' It can also refer to a 'desk,' the piece of furniture you work on. So, J'ai un nouveau bureau could mean 'I have a new desk.' Less frequently, especially in older or more formal contexts, it can mean a 'government office' or a 'specific department.' Pay attention to the surrounding words to get the right meaning!
A common mistake is using office (the English word) when you mean a place of work. In French, you almost always use bureau for this. Another mistake can be confusing it with 'library' (bibliothèque) or 'bookstore' (librairie), especially when thinking about a 'study' or 'den' which might have a desk in it. Remember, bureau is specific to a workspace or a desk.
어원
Old French 'burel' (a coarse woolen cloth)
원래 의미: The cloth covering a writing table, then the table itself, and eventually the room where the table was located.
Romance (from Latin 'burrus' meaning reddish-brown)문화적 맥락
The word 'bureau' is very common in France and other French-speaking countries. You'll hear it used for a professional office ('mon bureau est au troisième étage' - my office is on the third floor), a piece of furniture ('j'ai un nouveau bureau pour travailler' - I have a new desk to work on), and even administrative departments ('le bureau de poste' - the post office, 'le bureau des objets trouvés' - the lost and found office).
셀프 테스트 48 질문
This sentence means 'I work at the office.' 'Je' (I) is the subject, 'travaille' (work) is the verb, and 'au bureau' (at the office) indicates the location.
This sentence means 'My office is big.' 'Mon bureau' (my office) is the subject, 'est' (is) is the verb, and 'grand' (big) is the adjective describing the office.
This sentence means 'She goes to the office every day.' 'Elle' (she) is the subject, 'va' (goes) is the verb, 'au bureau' (to the office) indicates direction, and 'tous les jours' (every day) specifies frequency.
Listen for 'bureau' and understand the context of daily work.
Listen for 'bureau' and note the description of its size and comfort.
Listen for 'bureau' and where it's located.
Read this aloud:
Où est le bureau de poste ?
Focus: bureau
당신의 답변:
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Read this aloud:
J'ai acheté un nouveau bureau pour mon ordinateur.
Focus: bureau
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Mon chef est au bureau aujourd'hui.
Focus: bureau
당신의 답변:
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Imagine you are describing your workplace. Write two sentences in French about what you do in your 'bureau'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Je travaille dans mon bureau. J'écris des emails à mes collègues.
You need to ask a colleague if they are in their office. Write a short question in French.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Tu es dans ton bureau ?
Describe a piece of furniture you might find in an office. Write one sentence in French.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Il y a une chaise confortable dans mon bureau.
Où est le bureau de Paul ?
Read this passage:
Mon ami Paul travaille à Paris. Chaque matin, il va à son bureau en bus. Son bureau est grand et lumineux. Il aime beaucoup son travail.
Où est le bureau de Paul ?
The passage states, 'Mon ami Paul travaille à Paris.' and 'Chaque matin, il va à son bureau en bus.' This indicates his office is in Paris.
The passage states, 'Mon ami Paul travaille à Paris.' and 'Chaque matin, il va à son bureau en bus.' This indicates his office is in Paris.
Pourquoi la personne cherche-t-elle Monsieur Dubois ?
Read this passage:
Je cherche mon collègue, Monsieur Dubois. Je pense qu'il est à son bureau. Je dois lui parler d'un projet important.
Pourquoi la personne cherche-t-elle Monsieur Dubois ?
The passage says, 'Je dois lui parler d'un projet important.'
The passage says, 'Je dois lui parler d'un projet important.'
Comment est le nouveau bureau de Marie ?
Read this passage:
Marie a un nouveau bureau. Il est situé au troisième étage et a une belle vue sur le jardin. Elle est très contente de son nouvel espace de travail.
Comment est le nouveau bureau de Marie ?
The passage states, 'Il est situé au troisième étage et a une belle vue sur le jardin.'
The passage states, 'Il est situé au troisième étage et a une belle vue sur le jardin.'
This sentence means 'My desk is big.' In French, the possessive adjective (Mon) comes before the noun (bureau), followed by the verb (est) and the adjective (grand).
This sentence means 'She works at the office.' 'Au' is a contraction of 'à le' and means 'at the' for masculine nouns.
This sentence means 'I have a new study at home.' 'À la maison' means 'at home.'
Listen for where 'je' works.
Listen for a description of 'mon bureau'.
Listen for where 'elle' has a new 'bureau'.
Read this aloud:
J'ai rendez-vous au bureau à dix heures.
Focus: bureau
당신의 답변:
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Read this aloud:
Le bureau ferme à dix-sept heures.
Focus: ferme
당신의 답변:
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Read this aloud:
Nous partageons un grand bureau.
Focus: partageons
당신의 답변:
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This sentence describes a new office as being very bright. 'Mon nouveau bureau' is the subject, followed by the verb 'est' (is) and the adjective 'très lumineux' (very bright).
This sentence means 'I forgot my keys on my desk yesterday.' 'J'ai oublié' is the past tense of 'to forget', 'mes clés' are 'my keys', and 'sur mon bureau hier' means 'on my desk yesterday'.
This sentence translates to 'The director has his own office on the top floor.' 'Le directeur' is the subject, 'a' is the verb 'to have', 'son propre bureau' means 'his own office', and 'au dernier étage' means 'on the top floor'.
Après des années d'efforts acharnés, elle a enfin été promue et a eu droit à son propre ___ avec vue sur la ville.
In this context, 'bureau' refers to a private office space, often associated with a promotion or higher status.
Le nouveau ___ politique du parti a été dévoilé, promettant des réformes audacieuses pour l'économie.
Here, 'bureau' signifies the executive committee or decision-making body of a political party.
Malgré les tentatives de médiation, le différend entre les deux entreprises a été porté devant le ___ des juges.
In a legal context, 'bureau des juges' refers to the chamber or office of the judges.
Pour une administration efficace, il est essentiel que le ___ de poste soit bien organisé et que le courrier soit traité rapidement.
'Bureau de poste' is the standard term for a post office.
Face à la crise économique, le ___ du gouvernement a été contraint de prendre des mesures d'austérité impopulaires.
Similar to a political party's bureau, the 'bureau du gouvernement' refers to the executive body of the government.
Après avoir égaré son passeport, elle a dû se rendre au ___ des objets trouvés pour vérifier s'il y avait été déposé.
'Bureau des objets trouvés' is the common term for a lost and found office.
This sentence describes an office as a model of organizational efficiency, maintaining the C2 level of complexity.
This sentence uses advanced vocabulary and a complex sentence structure to discuss the sophisticated ergonomic design of an office, aligning with C2 difficulty.
This sentence employs abstract concepts and advanced vocabulary to connect office dynamics with contemporary geopolitical issues, typical of a C2 level.
/ 48 correct
Perfect score!
예시
In context, `bureau` expresses: office.
관련 콘텐츠
이 단어를 다른 언어로
false_friends 관련 단어
acheter
A2Primary meaning: to buy.
actuel
A2Primary meaning: current, present.
actuellement
A2Primary meaning: currently, nowadays.
affaire
A2Primary meaning: business, matter, deal.
ancien
A2Primary meaning: former, old.
annoyer
A2Primary meaning: to annoy.
assister
A2Primary meaning: to attend.
attendre
A2Primary meaning: to wait.
audience
A2Primary meaning: hearing, formal meeting.
avertir
A2Primary meaning: to warn, notify.
