Learning how to say “miss” in French can be helpful in many situations. Whether you are traveling, speaking formally, or writing a letter, knowing the correct French term adds politeness and respect to your conversations. In French, “miss” can be used for different meanings, such as addressing a young woman or referring to someone you missed.
In this article, you will discover how to say “miss” in French, learn different expressions, and explore polite responses. You will also practice using these words through fun exercises. By the end, you will feel more confident speaking French in everyday situations.
Ways to Say “Miss” in French
In French, “Miss” is commonly translated as “Mademoiselle,” which is used to address an unmarried woman politely. Though its use has declined in formal settings, it is still understood in everyday conversations. Let’s explore different ways to say “Miss” in French.
1. Mademoiselle
Pronunciation: mahd-mwah-zell
Meaning: Miss (used for an unmarried young woman)
In a Sentence:
- Mademoiselle Dupont, votre table est prête. (Miss Dupont, your table is ready.)
- Bonjour, mademoiselle! Comment allez-vous? (Hello, Miss! How are you?)
2. Demoiselle
Pronunciation: deuh-mwah-zell
Meaning: Young lady (old-fashioned, rarely used)
In a Sentence:
- La demoiselle au chapeau rouge est charmante. (The young lady in the red hat is charming.)
- Une jeune demoiselle vous attend à l’entrée. (A young lady is waiting for you at the entrance.)
3. Jeune Fille
Pronunciation: zhuhn fee-yuh
Meaning: Young girl (informal)
In a Sentence:
- Cette jeune fille est très polie. (That young girl is very polite.)
- La jeune fille dans le jardin chante une chanson. (The young girl in the garden is singing a song.)
4. Mlle (Abbreviation for Mademoiselle)
Pronunciation: Same as Mademoiselle
Meaning: Miss (formal written context)
In a Sentence:
- Veuillez contacter Mlle Moreau pour plus d’informations. (Please contact Miss Moreau for more information.)
- Mlle Dupuis a envoyé une lettre importante. (Miss Dupuis sent an important letter.)
5. Madame (Used Incorrectly for Emphasis)
Pronunciation: mah-dahm
Meaning: Used sarcastically or formally for a young woman pretending to be older
In a Sentence:
- Eh bien, Madame Sophie pense tout savoir! (Well, Miss Sophie thinks she knows everything!)
- Madame Camille est arrivée en avance pour l’événement. (Miss Camille arrived early for the event.)
6. Chère Mademoiselle
Pronunciation: sher mahd-mwah-zell
Meaning: Dear Miss (formal, used in letters)
In a Sentence:
- Chère Mademoiselle Dupont, merci pour votre réponse. (Dear Miss Dupont, thank you for your response.)
- Chère Mademoiselle, nous sommes ravis de vous accueillir. (Dear Miss, we are delighted to welcome you.)
7. Mademoiselle de… (Noble Title)
Pronunciation: mahd-mwah-zell duh
Meaning: Miss from (used for noble families in history)
In a Sentence:
- Mademoiselle de La Roche était célèbre pour sa beauté. (Miss de La Roche was famous for her beauty.)
8. Mademoiselle Parfaite
Pronunciation: mahd-mwah-zell par-feht
Meaning: Miss Perfect (playful or sarcastic)
In a Sentence:
- Oh, regardez! C’est Mademoiselle Parfaite! (Oh, look! It’s Miss Perfect!)
- Mademoiselle Parfaite a encore réussi l’examen. (Miss Perfect passed the exam again.)
9. La Belle
Pronunciation: lah bell
Meaning: The beautiful lady (poetic or romantic)
In a Sentence:
- La belle demoiselle marche au bord de la mer. (The beautiful lady walks by the sea.)
10. Mademoiselle Élégante
Pronunciation: mahd-mwah-zell ay-lay-gahnt
Meaning: Miss Elegant (complimentary)
In a Sentence:
- Mademoiselle Élégante porte toujours de belles robes. (Miss Elegant always wears beautiful dresses.)
11. Demoiselle d’Honneur
Pronunciation: deuh-mwah-zell doh-nuhr
Meaning: Bridesmaid
In a Sentence:
- La demoiselle d’honneur a aidé la mariée à se préparer. (The bridesmaid helped the bride get ready.)
12. Mademoiselle Jolie
Pronunciation: mahd-mwah-zell zho-lee
Meaning: Miss Pretty
In a Sentence:
- Mademoiselle Jolie attire tous les regards. (Miss Pretty catches everyone’s attention.)
13. Ma Chère
Pronunciation: mah sher
Meaning: My dear (affectionate)
In a Sentence:
- Ma chère, tu es toujours la bienvenue ici. (My dear, you are always welcome here.)
14. Mademoiselle Parfaite
Pronunciation: mahd-mwah-zell par-feht
Meaning: Miss Perfect (teasing)
In a Sentence:
- On l’appelle Mademoiselle Parfaite à l’école. (They call her Miss Perfect at school.)
15. Mademoiselle Charmante
Pronunciation: mahd-mwah-zell shar-mahnt
Meaning: Miss Charming
In a Sentence:
- Mademoiselle Charmante est toujours souriante. (Miss Charming is always smiling.)
16. Demoiselle de Compagnie
Pronunciation: deuh-mwah-zell duh kom-pah-nee
Meaning: Lady-in-waiting (historical)
In a Sentence:
- La demoiselle de compagnie servait la reine avec loyauté. (The lady-in-waiting served the queen loyally.)
17. Mademoiselle Parfaite en Tout
Pronunciation: mahd-mwah-zell par-feht ahn too
Meaning: Miss Perfect in Everything
In a Sentence:
- On l’appelle Mademoiselle Parfaite en Tout au bureau. (She’s called Miss Perfect in Everything at the office.)
18. Demoiselle de Cœur
Pronunciation: deuh-mwah-zell duh kuhr
Meaning: Lady of the heart (romantic)
In a Sentence:
- Elle est la demoiselle de cœur de son prince. (She is her prince’s lady of the heart.)
19. Petite Demoiselle
Pronunciation: puh-teet deuh-mwah-zell
Meaning: Little Miss (affectionate)
In a Sentence:
- La petite demoiselle joue dans le jardin. (The little Miss is playing in the garden.)
20. Demoiselle Gracieuse
Pronunciation: deuh-mwah-zell grah-syuhz
Meaning: Graceful Miss
In a Sentence:
- Demoiselle Gracieuse danse comme une étoile. (Graceful Miss dances like a star.)
21. Mademoiselle Adorable
Pronunciation: mahd-mwah-zell ah-doh-rah-bluh
Meaning: Adorable Miss
In a Sentence:
- Mademoiselle Adorable est toujours gentille avec tout le monde. (Adorable Miss is always kind to everyone.)
22. Demoiselle de Beauté
Pronunciation: deuh-mwah-zell duh boh-tay
Meaning: Beauty Queen
In a Sentence:
- La demoiselle de beauté a gagné le concours. (The beauty queen won the contest.)
23. Demoiselle Mystérieuse
Pronunciation: deuh-mwah-zell mees-tehr-yuhz
Meaning: Mysterious Miss
In a Sentence:
- Demoiselle Mystérieuse attire toujours l’attention. (Mysterious Miss always attracts attention.)
24. Mademoiselle Douce
Pronunciation: mahd-mwah-zell doos
Meaning: Sweet Miss
In a Sentence:
- Mademoiselle Douce a une voix agréable. (Sweet Miss has a pleasant voice.)
25. Demoiselle Précieuse
Pronunciation: deuh-mwah-zell pray-syuhz
Meaning: Precious Miss
In a Sentence:
- Demoiselle Précieuse est très aimée par sa famille. (Precious Miss is very loved by her family.)
Other Ways to Say “Miss” in French
Below is a table listing additional ways to say “Miss” in French, along with their pronunciation, meaning, and example sentences.
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Jeune Dame | zhuhn dahm | Young lady | La jeune dame attend à l’accueil. (The young lady is waiting at the reception.) |
| Mademoiselle Chérie | mahd-mwah-zell sher-ree | Darling Miss | Mademoiselle Chérie, viens ici! (Darling Miss, come here!) |
| Fille | fee-yuh | Girl | La fille étudie à l’université. (The girl is studying at the university.) |
| Belle Demoiselle | bell deuh-mwah-zell | Beautiful young lady | La belle demoiselle danse gracieusement. (The beautiful young lady dances gracefully.) |
| Demoiselle de Ville | deuh-mwah-zell duh veel | Town Miss | Demoiselle de Ville a été élue représentante. (Town Miss was elected representative.) |
| Petite Fille | puh-teet fee-yuh | Little girl | La petite fille joue au parc. (The little girl is playing in the park.) |
| Demoiselle Courtoise | deuh-mwah-zell koor-twaz | Courteous Miss | Demoiselle Courtoise a salué tout le monde. (Courteous Miss greeted everyone.) |
| Jeune Femme | zhuhn fahm | Young woman | La jeune femme a commencé un nouveau travail. (The young woman started a new job.) |
| Demoiselle Élégante | deuh-mwah-zell ay-lay-gahnt | Elegant Miss | Demoiselle Élégante était la star de la soirée. (Elegant Miss was the star of the evening.) |
| Demoiselle Gentille | deuh-mwah-zell zhan-teel | Kind Miss | Demoiselle Gentille a aidé les enfants à traverser la rue. (Kind Miss helped the children cross the street.) |
| Mademoiselle Ravissante | mahd-mwah-zell rah-vee-sahnt | Lovely Miss | Mademoiselle Ravissante a captivé l’audience. (Lovely Miss captivated the audience.) |
| Demoiselle Sincère | deuh-mwah-zell san-sair | Honest Miss | Demoiselle Sincère a toujours dit la vérité. (Honest Miss always told the truth.) |
| Demoiselle Précieuse | deuh-mwah-zell pray-syuhz | Precious Miss | Demoiselle Précieuse est respectée par tout le monde. (Precious Miss is respected by everyone.) |
| Demoiselle Gracieuse | deuh-mwah-zell grah-syuhz | Graceful Miss | Demoiselle Gracieuse danse avec élégance. (Graceful Miss dances gracefully.) |
| Demoiselle Radieuse | deuh-mwah-zell rah-dyuhz | Radiant Miss | Demoiselle Radieuse a illuminé la pièce avec son sourire. (Radiant Miss lit up the room with her smile.) |
| Demoiselle Charismatique | deuh-mwah-zell shar-eez-mah-teek | Charismatic Miss | Demoiselle Charismatique a impressionné tout le monde. (Charismatic Miss impressed everyone.) |
| Demoiselle Douce | deuh-mwah-zell doos | Sweet Miss | Demoiselle Douce est très aimée de ses amis. (Sweet Miss is very loved by her friends.) |
| Demoiselle Forte | deuh-mwah-zell fort | Strong Miss | Demoiselle Forte a surmonté tous les défis. (Strong Miss overcame all the challenges.) |
| Demoiselle Intelligente | deuh-mwah-zell an-teh-lee-zhahnt | Smart Miss | Demoiselle Intelligente a remporté le concours scientifique. (Smart Miss won the science competition.) |
| Demoiselle Talentueuse | deuh-mwah-zell tah-lahn-tuh-uhz | Talented Miss | Demoiselle Talentueuse joue du piano magnifiquement. (Talented Miss plays the piano beautifully.) |
Responses to “Miss” in French
When someone addresses you as “Miss” (Mademoiselle) in French, it’s polite to respond appropriately. Whether in formal or informal settings, having the right reply shows good manners. Here are some common responses:
1. Merci beaucoup
Pronunciation: mehr-see boh-koo
Meaning: Thank you very much
In a Sentence: Merci beaucoup, Mademoiselle, pour votre aide. (Thank you very much, Miss, for your help.)
2. Je vous en prie
Pronunciation: zhuh voo zahn pree
Meaning: You’re welcome (formal)
In a Sentence: Mademoiselle Dupont, voici votre commande. – Je vous en prie! (Miss Dupont, here’s your order. – You’re welcome!)
3. C’est gentil
Pronunciation: say zhahn-tee
Meaning: That’s kind
In a Sentence: Merci pour le compliment, Mademoiselle. – C’est gentil! (Thank you for the compliment, Miss. – That’s kind!)
4. Enchantée (for women)/Enchanté (for men)
Pronunciation: ahn-shahn-tay
Meaning: Nice to meet you
In a Sentence: Bonjour, Mademoiselle! – Enchantée de vous rencontrer. (Hello, Miss! – Nice to meet you.)
5. Avec plaisir
Pronunciation: ah-vek pleh-zeer
Meaning: With pleasure
In a Sentence: Mademoiselle, pourriez-vous me passer ce livre? – Avec plaisir! (Miss, could you pass me that book? – With pleasure!)
6. Moi aussi
Pronunciation: mwah oh-see
Meaning: Me too
In a Sentence: Ravi de vous rencontrer, Mademoiselle. – Moi aussi! (Pleased to meet you, Miss. – Me too!)
7. De rien
Pronunciation: duh ryahn
Meaning: You’re welcome (informal)
In a Sentence: Merci beaucoup, Mademoiselle! – De rien. (Thank you very much, Miss! – You’re welcome.)
8. Pareillement
Pronunciation: pah-ray-yeh-mahn
Meaning: Likewise
In a Sentence: Heureux de vous connaître, Mademoiselle! – Pareillement! (Happy to know you, Miss! – Likewise!)
9. À bientôt
Pronunciation: ah byahn-toh
Meaning: See you soon
In a Sentence: Merci pour votre visite, Mademoiselle. – À bientôt! (Thank you for visiting, Miss. – See you soon!)
10. Tout le plaisir est pour moi
Pronunciation: too luh pleh-zeer eh poor mwah
Meaning: The pleasure is all mine
In a Sentence: C’est un plaisir de vous rencontrer, Mademoiselle. – Tout le plaisir est pour moi! (It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss. – The pleasure is all mine!)
Exercise to Practice Saying “Miss” in French
Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with the correct French expression for “Miss” from the previous sections. The entire sentence must be in French. After the exercise, answers and meanings are provided.
Fill-in-the-Blanks:
- Bonjour, __________ Dupont! Comment allez-vous?
- La __________ au chapeau rouge est très élégante.
- Nous sommes heureux de rencontrer __________ Sophie aujourd’hui.
- Excusez-moi, __________, où est la gare?
- __________ Ravissante a été élue reine du bal.
- La __________ de l’accueil vous guidera vers votre siège.
- Merci beaucoup, __________, pour votre aide précieuse.
- La __________ a gagné le concours de danse hier soir.
- C’est gentil, __________, d’avoir pensé à moi!
- __________ Élégante est connue pour son style impeccable.
- Pardon, __________, quelle heure est-il?
- La __________ de la réception est très professionnelle.
Answers and Meanings:
- Mademoiselle Dupont! Comment allez-vous? (Miss Dupont! How are you?)
- La demoiselle au chapeau rouge est très élégante. (The young lady in the red hat is very elegant.)
- Nous sommes heureux de rencontrer Mademoiselle Sophie aujourd’hui. (We are happy to meet Miss Sophie today.)
- Excusez-moi, Mademoiselle, où est la gare? (Excuse me, Miss, where is the train station?)
- Mademoiselle Ravissante a été élue reine du bal. (Miss Ravishing was elected prom queen.)
- La demoiselle de l’accueil vous guidera vers votre siège. (The young lady at the reception will guide you to your seat.)
- Merci beaucoup, Mademoiselle, pour votre aide précieuse. (Thank you very much, Miss, for your valuable help.)
- La demoiselle a gagné le concours de danse hier soir. (The young lady won the dance competition last night.)
- C’est gentil, Mademoiselle, d’avoir pensé à moi! (That’s kind, Miss, for thinking of me!)
- Mademoiselle Élégante est connue pour son style impeccable. (Miss Elegant is known for her impeccable style.)
- Pardon, Mademoiselle, quelle heure est-il? (Excuse me, Miss, what time is it?)
- La demoiselle de la réception est très professionnelle. (The young lady at the reception is very professional.)
Conclusion
Learning how to say “Miss” in French is a valuable step in understanding polite and respectful communication. Whether you use “Mademoiselle” for formal settings or playful terms like “Demoiselle Ravissante,” these expressions can enhance your French-speaking skills.
By practicing different ways to say “Miss” and learning the appropriate responses, you’ll be more confident in conversations. Remember to use these phrases in everyday situations, and soon they will feel natural. Keep exploring the language, and you’ll open new doors to meaningful connections in French-speaking communities.