What does chef in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word chef in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use chef in French.

The word chef in French means boss, leader, chef, head chef, staff sergeant, boss, assistant head, deputy head, chief warrant officer, primarily, conductor's baton, nod, sergeant, corporal, assistant director, deputy director, chef, head chef, charge, count of indictment, head of a company, company head, team leader, squadron leader, head, headteacher, head teacher, head of state, Chief of Staff, Military Chief of Staff, farm manager, operations manager, main charge, conductor, conductor, gang leader, Chief Flight Attendant, Chief Steward, principal private Secretary, singing teacher, singing coach, site manager, site foreman, choirmaster, Clinic Director, Clinic Head, Registrar, chef, head of the family, leader, station manager, head of government, leader of the opposition, opposition leader, majority leader, police chief, floor manager, product manager, product manager, project manager, project director, Quay Supervisor, Loading Bay Supervisor, officer of the watch, shift manager, head waiter, department supervisor, department manager, Section Editor, Sector Manager, Department Manager, head of department, chief conductor, Works Manager, Supervisor, production designer, head of government, Chief of Protocol, Head of Protocol, Michelin-starred chef, head mechanic, director of photography, political leader, religious leader, Chef-restaurateur, Restaurant owner-chef, masterpiece, masterpiece, masterwork, capital, main canton town, canton capital, commander in chief, commander-in-chief, hat, headgear, head chef, on your own initiative, on your own initiative, publication director, chief executive officer, chief, top chef, master chef, head nurse, head doctor, head physician, senior consultant, nod in agreement, nod your assent, tinpot dictator, editor-in-chief, assistant editor, managing editor, senior editor, handle it like a boss, staff sergeant, second-in-command, chef's speciality, Top Chef. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word chef

boss

(dirigeant) (informal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Pierre est le chef de cette entreprise de construction.
Peter is the boss of this building firm.

leader

(leader)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le chef de ce parti politique sera réélu.
The leader of this political party will be reelected.

chef, head chef

(responsable de cuisine)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le chef de ce restaurant vient d'obtenir une étoile.
The restaurant's chef (or: head chef) has just been awarded a star.

staff sergeant

nom masculin et féminin (sergent-chef)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Oui chef, bien chef !
Yes Sir, certainly, Sir!

boss

(familier (champion) (informal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Bravo, tu t'es débrouillé comme un chef !
Well done - you handled yourself like a boss!

assistant head, deputy head

(assistant de chef)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les affaires courantes seront confiées à l'adjoint au chef le temps de l'absence du directeur.

chief warrant officer

nom masculin (grade au-dessus de l'adjudant)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le grade d'adjudant-chef est le plus haut grade de sous-officier.

primarily

locution adverbiale (soutenu (tout particulièrement)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
La prévention s'adresse au premier chef aux jeunes.

conductor's baton

nom féminin (longue tige légère)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Une baguette de chef d'orchestre se termine par un manche en forme de poire.

nod

locution verbale (osciller la tête)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Thomas branle du chef lorsqu'il approuve quelque chose.
Thomas nods when he approves of something.

sergeant

nom masculin (grade militaire) (military rank)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Simple gendarme, il a été promu brigadier-chef.

corporal

(grade militaire)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

assistant director, deputy director

nom masculin (assistant de chef)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

chef

nom masculin (restaurant : responsable d'une cuisine)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Pierre est maintenant chef cuisinier dans le restaurant à l'entrée de la ville.

head chef

nom masculin (familier (chef cuisinier)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

charge, count of indictment

nom masculin (motif d'accusation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

head of a company, company head

nom masculin et féminin (dirigeant d'une entreprise)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le chef d'entreprise dirige une entreprise sans en être forcement le propriétaire.
The head of a company manages the business, although he may not necessarily be the owner.

team leader

nom masculin (capitaine, contremaître)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Après 5 ans d'expérience, ce serait bien de passer chef d'équipe.
After five years experience, it would be good to make team leader.

squadron leader

nom masculin (armée : type de commandant) (military)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

head, headteacher, head teacher

nom masculin (directeur d'un collège, lycée) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

head of state

nom masculin (dirigeant de pays : président, monarque)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les chefs d'État européens se réuniront la semaine prochaine.
The European heads of state will be meeting next week.

Chief of Staff, Military Chief of Staff

nom masculin (chef d'une armée)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le chef d'état-major commande les armées d'un pays.

farm manager

nom masculin (responsable de ferme)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Chef d'exploitation est un statut agricole.

operations manager

nom masculin (responsable d'une production)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
En informatique, le chef d'exploitation est responsable des traitements quotidiens.

main charge

nom masculin (motif d'inculpation) (Law)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

conductor

nom masculin et féminin (musicien dirigeant un orchestre)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

conductor

nom masculin (musicien qui dirige un orchestre) (of an orchestra)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Tous les musiciens regardaient le chef d'orchestre.

gang leader

nom masculin (loubard en chef)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Chief Flight Attendant, Chief Steward

nom masculin (responsable des hôtesses et stewards)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

principal private Secretary

nom masculin (haut fonctionnaire) (government)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

singing teacher, singing coach

nom masculin (dirigeant de chorale)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le chef de chant prépare ce jeune chanteur pour une audition.

site manager, site foreman

nom masculin (responsable d'une zone de travaux)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le chef de chantier fait la revue de fin de journée.
The site manager is doing the end-of-day debrief.

choirmaster

nom masculin (chef d'une chorale)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
C'est le chef de chœur qui répartit les pupitres.

Clinic Director, Clinic Head, Registrar

nom masculin (hôpital : adjoint du chef de service) (rector)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

chef

nom masculin (cuisinier qui dirige une cuisine)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le chef de cuisine donne des instructions à sa brigade, goûte et rectifie les assaisonnements.

head of the family

nom masculin (responsable de famille)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

leader

nom masculin (leader, représentant)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le chef de file du mouvement se présente aux élections législatives.
The leader of the movement is standing in the parliamentary elections.

station manager

nom masculin (responsable d'une gare)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le chef de gare siffle le départ du train.

head of government

nom masculin (chancelier, premier ministre)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

leader of the opposition, opposition leader

nom masculin (chef de parti minoritaire)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

majority leader

nom masculin (représentant politique) (politics)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

police chief

nom masculin (responsable de la police)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

floor manager

nom masculin (responsable de scène télé) (TV)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le chef de plateau indiqua aux invités leur place autour de la table.

product manager

nom masculin (responsable d'un produit)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le chef de produit est responsable du développement jusqu'à la commercialisation.
The product manager is responsible from development all the way through to the marketing stage.

product manager

nom masculin (responsable d'un produit)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

project manager, project director

nom masculin (animateur d'une équipe)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le chef de projet anime une équipe pendant la durée du projet.
The project manager leads a team for the duration of the project.

Quay Supervisor, Loading Bay Supervisor

nom masculin (responsable de manutentionnaires)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

officer of the watch

nom masculin (officier de marine) (UK, naval)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le chef de quart est chargé de la permanence du commandement.

shift manager

nom masculin (responsable de production industrielle) (industrial)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le chef de quart veille à atteindre les objectifs dans les délais impartis.

head waiter

nom masculin (restaurant : responsable des serveurs)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce chef de rang a quinze ans de maison.
This head waiter has fifteen years of experience.

department supervisor, department manager

nom masculin (responsable d'un rayon de magasin)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le chef de rayon fait un inventaire rapide chaque soir.
The department supervisor does a quick inventory check each evening.

Section Editor

nom masculin (journal : responsable d'une rubrique)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Sector Manager, Department Manager

nom masculin (responsable d'un marché, d'un secteur)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

head of department

nom masculin (responsable d'un service)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Notre nouveau chef de service à l'expérience du métier.
Our new head of department has experience in the profession.

chief conductor

nom masculin (cheminot responsable d'un train) (US)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Works Manager, Supervisor

nom masculin (responsable des travaux)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

production designer

nom masculin (cinéma : chargé des décors) (filmmaking)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les chefs décorateurs ont beaucoup de travail pour les films historiques.

head of government

nom masculin (ministre en chef) (chief minister)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Dans un régime parlementaire, le chef du gouvernement exerce le pouvoir exécutif.

Chief of Protocol, Head of Protocol

nom masculin (responsable du protocole) (diplomat)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Michelin-starred chef

nom masculin (cuisinier récompensé par la critique)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

head mechanic

nom masculin (responsable de mécaniciens)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le chef mécanicien supervise huit employés dans ce garage.

director of photography

nom masculin (chef d'équipe) (filmmaking)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Lors du tournage d'un film, le chef opérateur coordonne la machinerie, la caméra, l'éclairage, la lumière et parfois le cadrage.

political leader

nom masculin (responsable politique)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

religious leader

nom masculin (religion : dignitaire)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Chef-restaurateur, Restaurant owner-chef

nom masculin (grand cuisinier)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

masterpiece

nom masculin (œuvre d'art) (artwork)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Des milliers de chefs-d'œuvre sont exposées au musée du Louvre.
Thousands of masterpieces (or: masterworks) are on display at the Louvre Museum.

masterpiece

nom masculin (figuré (chose parfaite) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Cette formulation est un chef-d'œuvre d'euphémisme.
ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. Advocating capital punishment for murder is the ultimate in hypocrisy.

masterwork

nom masculin (ouvrage d'un compagnon) (journeyman)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Pour accéder au titre de Compagnon du Tour de France, il fallait présenter un chef-d'œuvre.
To earn the title of "Compagnon of the Tour de France", apprentices had to present a masterwork.

capital

nom masculin (localité où siège une autorité) (of a French département)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Melun est le chef-lieu du département de Seine-et-Marne.

main canton town, canton capital

nom masculin (ville principale d'un canton) (Switzerland)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

commander in chief, commander-in-chief

nom masculin (grand chef)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

hat, headgear

nom masculin (chapeau, coiffure)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ces messieurs ne sortaient jamais sans leurs couvre-chefs.

head chef

(haut grade en cuisine)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

on your own initiative

locution adverbiale (spontanément, de soi-même)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

on your own initiative

locution adverbiale (de soi-même, spontanément)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

publication director

nom masculin (chargé du contenu d'un journal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le directeur de la publication surveille la ligne éditoriale du journal.

chief executive officer

(administrateur principal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

chief

locution adjectivale (responsable de [qch])

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

top chef, master chef

nom masculin (chef cuisinier étoilé)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

head nurse

nom masculin (infirmier responsable des autres)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

head doctor, head physician, senior consultant

nom masculin (grade de médecin)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

nod in agreement, nod your assent

locution verbale (familier (approuver de la tête)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

tinpot dictator

nom masculin (péjoratif (chefaillon, mauvais chef) (colloquial)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

editor-in-chief

(responsable de la rédaction)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le rédacteur en chef discute la mise en page avec ses journalistes.

assistant editor

nom masculin (assistant du responsable de la rédaction) (publishing)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

managing editor, senior editor

nom féminin (femme gérant les articles des journalistes)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les journalistes présentent leurs articles à la rédactrice en chef.

handle it like a boss

(familier (très bien réussir à faire [qch]) (slang)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Dis donc, c'était la première fois que tu cuisinais un plat aussi compliqué et tu t'es débrouillé comme un chef !

staff sergeant

nom masculin (sous-officier) (military rank)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Julien a débuté sa carrière militaire comme sergent-chef.

second-in-command

nom masculin (grade inférieur au chef)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Patrick est devenu sous-chef.

chef's speciality

nom masculin (plat préféré d'un chef)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Top Chef

nom propre (France (émission télé de cuisine) (TV show)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
« Top Chef » est une compétition télévisée de jeunes espoirs de la cuisine.

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