French · People & Family
"Driver" in French: chauffeur
le chauffeur
Note: also: le conducteur
Driver in French is often le chauffeur: un chauffeur de taxi, le chauffeur du bus. Le conducteur is also common, especially for private cars. Female forms: chauffeuse exists but conductrice is frequent.
Taxi ride
Le chauffeur connaît un raccourci.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce chauffeur
Say it
sho-FUR
/ʃo.fœʁ/
Chauffeur: sho-FUR. Soft ch; French eu like the u in fur.
"Driver" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| le chauffeur | the driver Taxi, bus, hired driver. | Taxi, bus, hired driver. |
| un chauffeur de taxi | a taxi driver Common job title. | Common job title. |
| le conducteur | the driver Car driver, general. | Car driver, general. |
| permis de conduire | driver's license Related phrase. | Related phrase. |
How to use chauffeur in real life
- 1Taxi ride
Le chauffeur connaît un raccourci.
The driver knows a shortcut.
Le chauffeur.
- 2Bus stop
Merci, chauffeur ! — on descend ici.
Thanks, driver! — we're getting off here.
Direct address.
- 3Airport transfer
Notre chauffeur nous attend près de la sortie.
Our driver is waiting near the exit.
Notre chauffeur.
Mistakes English speakers make with chauffeur
Incorrect: La chauffeur est sympa.
Correct: Le chauffeur est sympa. / La conductrice est sympa.
Chauffeur is typically masculine; use conductrice or clarify.
Incorrect: Le driver est en retard.
Correct: Le chauffeur est en retard.
Use chauffeur (or conducteur).
Good to know
Chauffeur entered English from French. In France, taxi apps list chauffeur; road signs and laws often say conducteur.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Shared airport ride
ChatPal
Le chauffeur a dit cinq minutes.
The driver said five minutes.
You
Ok, je regarde si le chauffeur est sur l'appli.
Okay — I'll check if the driver is on the app.
ChatPal
Le voilà — mon chauffeur lève la main.
There he is — my driver is waving.
You
On y va.
Let's go.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Driver" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Driver" in French
How do you say driver in French?
Often le chauffeur; also le conducteur.
Chauffeur or conducteur?
Chauffeur fits taxis/buses/hired drivers; conducteur is general for car drivers.
How do you say taxi driver?
Un chauffeur de taxi.
How do you pronounce chauffeur?
sho-FUR.
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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