Learning a new language can be an exciting adventure, especially when you start by exploring everyday words. In French, understanding how to say “suit” can help you in conversations about clothing, style, or shopping. Whether you’re asking for a suit at a store or describing someone’s outfit, knowing the correct term is very useful.
In this article, you will discover how to say “suit” in French, learn other ways to describe it, and explore how to use it in sentences. There’s also an easy practice section to help you feel confident. By the end, you’ll be ready to use “suit” in French during real-life conversations.
Ways to Say “Suit” in French
In French, the word for “suit” can vary depending on the context. Whether you’re talking about clothing, a legal matter, or suitability, French offers specific words and phrases. Below are some common ways to say “suit,” along with their pronunciation, meanings, and examples to help you use them correctly.
1. Costume
Pronunciation: ko-stewm
Meaning: A men’s suit, typically formal.
In a Sentence:
- J’ai acheté un nouveau costume pour le mariage. (I bought a new suit for the wedding.)
- Il porte un costume noir avec une cravate rouge. (He is wearing a black suit with a red tie.)
2. Tailleur
Pronunciation: tah-yuhr
Meaning: A women’s suit, usually with a jacket and skirt or pants.
In a Sentence:
- Elle a choisi un tailleur élégant pour l’entretien. (She chose an elegant suit for the interview.)
- Ce tailleur est parfait pour une réunion formelle. (This suit is perfect for a formal meeting.)
3. Ensemble
Pronunciation: ahn-sahm-bluh
Meaning: A coordinated outfit, including a suit.
In a Sentence:
- Elle a un bel ensemble bleu pour le dîner. (She has a beautiful blue suit for the dinner.)
- Cet ensemble est très professionnel. (This suit is very professional.)
4. Habit
Pronunciation: ah-bee
Meaning: An old-fashioned term for a suit, used in formal or literary contexts.
In a Sentence:
- L’habit du marié était impressionnant. (The groom’s suit was impressive.)
- Dans le passé, un habit était porté quotidiennement par les hommes. (In the past, a suit was worn daily by men.)
5. Vêtement adapté
Pronunciation: vet-mohn ah-dahp-tay
Meaning: Clothing that suits or fits a particular need.
In a Sentence:
- Ce vêtement est adapté pour les soirées formelles. (This suit is suitable for formal evenings.)
- Vous devez choisir un vêtement adapté à l’occasion. (You must choose a suit appropriate for the occasion.)
6. Compléter
Pronunciation: kohm-pleh-tay
Meaning: To match or complete, often referring to a suit fitting well.
In a Sentence:
- Cette veste complète parfaitement le pantalon. (This jacket perfectly completes the suit.)
- Un bon costume doit compléter votre style. (A good suit must match your style.)
7. Tenu de soirée
Pronunciation: tuh-nu duh swah-ray
Meaning: Evening attire or formal suit.
In a Sentence:
- Il a porté une tenu de soirée pour le gala. (He wore an evening suit for the gala.)
- Une tenu de soirée est requise pour cet événement. (An evening suit is required for this event.)
8. Uniforme
Pronunciation: ew-nee-form
Meaning: A formal suit-like outfit for specific roles, such as a uniform.
In a Sentence:
- L’uniforme de l’hôtesse de l’air ressemble à un tailleur. (The flight attendant’s uniform looks like a suit.)
- Les soldats portaient un uniforme impeccable. (The soldiers wore an impeccable suit-like uniform.)
9. Tenue professionnelle
Pronunciation: tuh-nu proh-fes-syoh-nel
Meaning: Professional attire, often a suit.
In a Sentence:
- Sa tenue professionnelle est très impressionnante. (Her professional suit is very impressive.)
- Une tenue professionnelle est essentielle pour ce poste. (A professional suit is essential for this job.)
10. Vêtement formel
Pronunciation: vet-mohn for-mel
Meaning: Formal clothing, such as a suit.
In a Sentence:
- Ce vêtement formel est parfait pour un mariage. (This formal suit is perfect for a wedding.)
- Les invités portaient tous des vêtements formels. (The guests all wore formal suits.)
11. Frac
Pronunciation: frahk
Meaning: A tailcoat, often considered a formal suit for special occasions.
In a Sentence:
- Le chef d’orchestre portait un frac. (The conductor wore a suit with a tailcoat.)
- Un frac est souvent porté lors des soirées de gala. (A tailcoat suit is often worn at gala evenings.)
12. Accoutrement
Pronunciation: ah-koo-treh-mohn
Meaning: An outfit or suit, sometimes used humorously or critically.
In a Sentence:
- Son accoutrement était excentrique mais élégant. (His suit was eccentric but elegant.)
- Cet accoutrement attire l’attention partout. (This suit draws attention everywhere.)
13. Robe de soirée
Pronunciation: rohb duh swah-ray
Meaning: Evening gown or formal suit for women.
In a Sentence:
- Sa robe de soirée était magnifique. (Her suit was magnificent.)
- Une robe de soirée est nécessaire pour le bal. (An evening suit is required for the ball.)
14. Style vestimentaire
Pronunciation: steel vest-ee-mahn-tehr
Meaning: Clothing style, including suits.
In a Sentence:
- Son style vestimentaire inclut toujours un beau costume. (His clothing style always includes a nice suit.)
- Le style vestimentaire formel est préféré ici. (A formal suit style is preferred here.)
15. Justaucorps
Pronunciation: jus-toh-kohr
Meaning: A close-fitting suit, often historical or for special occasions.
In a Sentence:
- Le danseur portait un justaucorps élégant. (The dancer wore an elegant suit.)
- Un justaucorps est rare de nos jours. (Such suits are rare these days.)
16. Équipement approprié
Pronunciation: ay-kee-peh-mahn ah-proh-pree-ay
Meaning: Suitable attire, including suits.
In a Sentence:
- Assurez-vous d’avoir un équipement approprié pour la réunion. (Make sure you have a suitable suit for the meeting.)
- Cet équipement est parfait pour une présentation formelle. (This suit is perfect for a formal presentation.)
17. Cravate et veste
Pronunciation: kra-vaht ay vest
Meaning: Tie and jacket, implying a suit.
In a Sentence:
- Une cravate et veste sont attendues pour cet événement. (A suit with tie and jacket is expected for this event.)
- Il porte toujours une cravate et veste au travail. (He always wears a suit to work.)
18. Uniformité
Pronunciation: ew-nee-for-mee-tay
Meaning: A sense of matching or suitability, often related to suits.
In a Sentence:
- L’uniformité de leur tenue est impressionnante. (The uniformity of their suits is impressive.)
- Un costume doit offrir une certaine uniformité. (A suit must provide a certain uniformity.)
19. Ensemble formel
Pronunciation: ahn-sahm-bluh for-mel
Meaning: A formal ensemble or suit.
In a Sentence:
- Cet ensemble formel est idéal pour les cérémonies. (This formal suit is ideal for ceremonies.)
- Il a choisi un ensemble formel pour l’occasion. (He chose a formal suit for the occasion.)
20. Habit de cérémonie
Pronunciation: ah-bee duh seh-ray-moh-nee
Meaning: Ceremonial attire, often a formal suit.
In a Sentence:
- L’habit de cérémonie était richement décoré. (The ceremonial suit was richly decorated.)
- Il a porté un habit de cérémonie pour le mariage. (He wore a ceremonial suit for the wedding.)
21. Smoking
Pronunciation: smo-king
Meaning: A tuxedo, considered a type of formal suit.
In a Sentence:
- Le smoking est classique pour les soirées de gala. (The tuxedo is classic for gala evenings.)
- Il a loué un smoking pour la fête. (He rented a tuxedo for the party.)
22. Adapté à l’occasion
Pronunciation: ah-dahp-tay ah loh-kah-zee-ohn
Meaning: Suitable for the occasion, referring to attire.
In a Sentence:
- Ce costume est adapté à l’occasion. (This suit is suitable for the occasion.)
- Il choisit toujours un habit adapté à l’occasion. (He always chooses a suit suitable for the occasion.)
23. Tenue ajustée
Pronunciation: tuh-nu ah-jus-tay
Meaning: A well-fitted suit.
In a Sentence:
- Sa tenue ajustée est parfaite. (His well-fitted suit is perfect.)
- Une tenue ajustée fait toujours bonne impression. (A well-fitted suit always makes a good impression.)
24. Élégance classique
Pronunciation: eh-lay-gahns klas-seek
Meaning: Classic elegance, often referring to suits.
In a Sentence:
- Son élégance classique est indéniable. (His classic elegance in a suit is undeniable.)
- Cette tenue montre une élégance classique. (This outfit shows classic elegance.)
25. Vêtements habillés
Pronunciation: vet-mohn ah-bee-yay
Meaning: Dressy clothing, including suits.
In a Sentence:
- Les vêtements habillés sont exigés pour ce dîner. (Dressy suits are required for this dinner.)
- Il préfère toujours des vêtements habillés pour les événements spéciaux. (He always prefers suits for special events.)
26. Habit de soirée
Pronunciation: ah-bee duh swah-ray
Meaning: Evening suit, used for formal occasions.
In a Sentence:
- L’habit de soirée est obligatoire pour le bal. (An evening suit is mandatory for the ball.)
- Il a choisi un habit de soirée classique pour l’événement. (He chose a classic evening suit for the event.)
27. Ensemble chic
Pronunciation: ahn-sahm-bluh sheek
Meaning: Stylish outfit, often including a suit.
In a Sentence:
- Cet ensemble chic est parfait pour une soirée en ville. (This stylish suit is perfect for a night out in the city.)
- Elle préfère porter un ensemble chic pour impressionner. (She prefers wearing a stylish suit to impress.)
28. Vêtements élégants
Pronunciation: vet-mohn eh-lay-gahn
Meaning: Elegant clothing, including suits.
In a Sentence:
- Les vêtements élégants sont recommandés pour cette fête. (Elegant suits are recommended for this party.)
- Il a opté pour des vêtements élégants lors de sa présentation. (He chose elegant suits for his presentation.)
29. Habit officiel
Pronunciation: ah-bee oh-fee-syel
Meaning: Official attire, often a formal suit.
In a Sentence:
- L’habit officiel est exigé pour cette cérémonie. (An official suit is required for this ceremony.)
- Il porte toujours un habit officiel lors des rencontres importantes. (He always wears an official suit for important meetings.)
30. Uniforme de gala
Pronunciation: ew-nee-form duh gah-lah
Meaning: Gala uniform, a formal suit for special events.
In a Sentence:
- Son uniforme de gala était impeccable lors de l’événement. (His gala suit was impeccable at the event.)
- L’uniforme de gala est souvent porté lors des soirées officielles. (The gala suit is often worn during official evenings.)
Other Ways to Say “Suit” in French
Here are additional ways to say “suit” in French, along with their pronunciation, meaning, and examples. These phrases provide a variety of contexts, from formal to casual, and expand your vocabulary for different scenarios.
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Ensemble vestimentaire | ahn-sahm vest-ee-mahn-tehr | Clothing ensemble, including a suit | Cet ensemble vestimentaire est parfait pour le bureau. (This outfit is perfect for the office.) |
| Habit complet | ah-bee kohm-play | Complete outfit, usually formal | Il porte un habit complet pour le mariage. (He is wearing a complete suit for the wedding.) |
| Tenue habillée | tuh-nu ah-bee-yay | Dressy attire, often including suits | Une tenue habillée est obligatoire pour cette soirée. (Dressy attire is mandatory for this evening.) |
| Attire formelle | ah-teer for-mel | Formal attire, referring to suits | Cette attire formelle reflète son professionnalisme. (This formal attire reflects his professionalism.) |
| Costume trois-pièces | kos-tewm trwa pyess | Three-piece suit | Il a acheté un costume trois-pièces pour la cérémonie. (He bought a three-piece suit for the ceremony.) |
Responses to “Suit” in French
When someone mentions or discusses “suit” in French, there are various ways to respond, depending on the context. These responses help you continue the conversation politely and appropriately, whether you’re complimenting, agreeing, or providing feedback. Below are some useful responses for different scenarios.
1. C’est élégant
Pronunciation: say eh-lay-gahn
Meaning: That’s elegant.
In a Sentence:
- Ce costume est magnifique! (This suit is beautiful!)
- Oui, c’est élégant. (Yes, it’s elegant.)
2. Ça te va bien
Pronunciation: sah tuh vah byan
Meaning: That suits you well.
In a Sentence:
- Tu aimes mon costume? (Do you like my suit?)
- Oui, ça te va bien! (Yes, it suits you well!)
3. Très professionnel
Pronunciation: tray proh-fes-syoh-nel
Meaning: Very professional.
In a Sentence:
- Que pensez-vous de cette tenue? (What do you think of this outfit?)
- C’est très professionnel! (It’s very professional!)
4. Parfait pour l’occasion
Pronunciation: par-fay poor loh-kah-zee-ohn
Meaning: Perfect for the occasion.
In a Sentence:
- Est-ce que ce costume est approprié? (Is this suit appropriate?)
- Oui, c’est parfait pour l’occasion. (Yes, it’s perfect for the occasion.)
5. Bien choisi
Pronunciation: byan shwah-zee
Meaning: Well chosen.
In a Sentence:
- Tu as acheté ce costume récemment? (Did you buy this suit recently?)
- Oui, bien choisi! (Yes, well chosen!)
6. C’est impressionnant
Pronunciation: say ahn-preh-see-oh-nahn
Meaning: That’s impressive.
In a Sentence:
- Regarde mon nouveau costume! (Look at my new suit!)
- Oui, c’est impressionnant! (Yes, that’s impressive!)
7. Très chic
Pronunciation: tray sheek
Meaning: Very stylish.
In a Sentence:
- J’adore ton ensemble. (I love your outfit.)
- Merci, c’est très chic, non? (Thanks, it’s very stylish, isn’t it?)
8. Ça correspond bien
Pronunciation: sah koh-rehs-pon byan
Meaning: That fits well.
In a Sentence:
- Comment trouves-tu mon costume? (How do you find my suit?)
- Ça correspond bien à ton style! (That fits your style well!)
9. Idéal pour cette soirée
Pronunciation: ee-day-ahl poor set swah-ray
Meaning: Ideal for this evening.
In a Sentence:
- Est-ce que mon costume est bien? (Is my suit okay?)
- Oui, c’est idéal pour cette soirée. (Yes, it’s ideal for this evening.)
10. Vraiment classe
Pronunciation: vray-mohn klas
Meaning: Truly classy.
In a Sentence:
- Ce smoking est beau, non? (This tuxedo is nice, isn’t it?)
- Oui, il est vraiment classe! (Yes, it’s truly classy!)
11. J’aime beaucoup
Pronunciation: zhem boh-koo
Meaning: I like it a lot.
In a Sentence:
- Que penses-tu de mon tailleur? (What do you think of my suit?)
- J’aime beaucoup, il te va parfaitement! (I like it a lot; it suits you perfectly!)
12. Ça fait très habillé
Pronunciation: sah fay tray ah-bee-yay
Meaning: That looks very dressy.
In a Sentence:
- Que pensez-vous de cette tenue? (What do you think of this outfit?)
- Ça fait très habillé, parfait pour l’événement. (That looks very dressy, perfect for the event.)
13. Une excellente option
Pronunciation: oon eks-say-lahnt op-syon
Meaning: An excellent choice.
In a Sentence:
- J’ai choisi ce costume pour la réunion. (I chose this suit for the meeting.)
- Oui, c’est une excellente option! (Yes, that’s an excellent choice!)
Exercise to Practice Saying “Suit” in French
Below is a list of fill-in-the-blank exercises to help you practice the ways to say “suit” in French. Each sentence is written in French, followed by its meaning in English. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate term for “suit” based on the context. Answers are provided at the end.
Fill-in-the-Blanks
- Pour le mariage, j’ai acheté un ______ élégant. (For the wedding, I bought an elegant suit.)
- Elle porte un ______ chic pour l’entretien d’embauche. (She is wearing a chic suit for the job interview.)
- Cet ______ est parfait pour une réunion professionnelle. (This outfit is perfect for a professional meeting.)
- L’habit de ______ est obligatoire pour cette cérémonie. (The ceremonial suit is mandatory for this ceremony.)
- Il a loué un ______ pour la soirée de gala. (He rented a suit for the gala evening.)
- Sa ______ est toujours impeccable au travail. (Her suit is always impeccable at work.)
- Ce ______ trois-pièces est idéal pour les grandes occasions. (This three-piece suit is ideal for big events.)
- Le ______ de soirée de la mariée était magnifique. (The bride’s evening suit was magnificent.)
- Vous devez porter un ______ adapté pour l’événement. (You must wear a suitable suit for the event.)
- Cette ______ ajustée met en valeur sa silhouette. (This tailored suit highlights her figure.)
- Il préfère un ______ classique pour son style quotidien. (He prefers a classic suit for his everyday style.)
- Le chef portait un ______ lors de la cérémonie officielle. (The chef wore a suit at the official ceremony.)
Answers
- costume
- tailleur
- ensemble
- cérémonie
- smoking
- tenue
- costume
- habit
- vêtement
- tenue
- ensemble
- habit
Conclusion
Learning how to say “suit” in French opens up many ways to express yourself when discussing clothing or formal attire. Whether you’re shopping, complimenting someone’s outfit, or preparing for an event, knowing words like costume, tailleur, and other related terms helps you communicate more clearly.
By practicing these phrases and responses, you’ll feel more confident using them in real-life situations. Keep exploring and practicing French, and soon these words will feel as natural as their English equivalents. Remember, language learning is all about consistent effort and real-life practice. Bonne chance! (Good luck!)