French · People & Family
"Chef (cook)" in French: cuisinier / cuisinière
le cuisinier / la cuisinière
Note: head chef: le chef
A cook or chef in everyday French is le cuisinier or la cuisinière. Le chef (de cuisine) is the head cook in a restaurant kitchen. For this word, start with cuisinier / cuisinière.
Restaurant praise
Le cuisinier sort saluer les clients.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce cuisinier / cuisinière
Say it
kwee-zee-NYAY
/kɥi.zi.nje/
Cuisinier: kwee-zee-NYAY. Cuisinière: kwee-zee-NYAIR. Stress the last syllable.
"Chef (cook)" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| le cuisinier | the cook / chef (m) Male cook. | Male cook. |
| la cuisinière | the cook / chef (f) Female cook; also a stove. | Female cook; also a stove. |
| le chef de cuisine | the head chef Restaurant hierarchy. | Restaurant hierarchy. |
| un bon cuisinier | a good cook Compliment at home or work. | Compliment at home or work. |
How to use cuisinier / cuisinière in real life
- 1Restaurant praise
Le cuisinier sort saluer les clients.
The cook comes out to greet the guests.
Cuisinier for the cook.
- 2Home cooking
Ma sœur est une excellente cuisinière.
My sister is an excellent cook.
Cuisinière feminine.
- 3Job talk
Il travaille comme cuisinier depuis dix ans.
He's worked as a cook for ten years.
Comme cuisinier = as a cook.
Mistakes English speakers make with cuisinier / cuisinière
Incorrect: Elle est un cuisinier.
Correct: Elle est une cuisinière.
Match gender: cuisinière for a woman.
Incorrect: Le cook prépare le plat.
Correct: Le cuisinier prépare le plat.
Use cuisinier, not English cook.
Good to know
In kitchens, chef means the person in charge; cuisinier is the broader cook job title. At home, calling someone un bon cuisinier is high praise.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
After a great meal out
ChatPal
Le cuisinier a vraiment réussi le dessert.
The cook really nailed the dessert.
You
Oui, ce cuisinier a du talent.
Yes, that cook has talent.
ChatPal
Tu veux laisser un mot pour la cuisinière aussi ?
Want to leave a note for the cook too?
You
Bonne idée, elle mérite les compliments.
Good idea — she deserves the compliments.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Chef (cook)" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Chef (cook)" in French
How do you say chef/cook in French?
Le cuisinier / la cuisinière; head cook is often le chef.
Is chef the same as cuisinier?
Chef often means the kitchen boss; cuisinier is the general cook.
Does cuisinière also mean stove?
Yes — context tells cook vs cooker/stove.
How do you pronounce cuisinier?
kwee-zee-NYAY.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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