bureau

/by.ʁo/
nounBeginner office
formal

A room or set of rooms used as an office, especially for business or professional work.

Le bureau du directeur est au dernier étage.

The director's office is on the top floor.

💡

In French, 'bureau' can also refer to a desk, but in English, 'desk' is a separate word.

formal

A desk, especially one used for writing or office work.

J'ai acheté un nouveau bureau pour mon appartement.

I bought a new desk for my apartment.

💡

This meaning is less common in English, where 'desk' is typically used instead.

Collocations

bureau de postepost officebureau de changecurrency exchange officebureau d'étudesresearch office

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

bureau de tabacphrase
tobacco shop
bureau des objets trouvésphrase
lost and found office

💡Pro Tip

Common Usage

In English, 'bureau' is most commonly used to refer to an office or a government agency.

Gold Rule

Spelling

Remember that 'bureau' is spelled with a 'u' and not an 'o' in the middle.

📖Word Origin

From Old French 'bureaul', from 'bure' (cloth made from coarse wool), referring to the material used to cover desks.

📝Usage Notes

In English, 'bureau' can refer to an office or a desk, but the desk meaning is less common. In French, it can also refer to a government department or agency.

Word Breakdown

bure
cloth made from coarse wool
root
+
-au
suffix indicating a place or office
suffix
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais