fédéral

federal

adjective feh-deh-RAL Less Common

Origin: Latin foedus/foederis (treaty, alliance)

Usage Note

fédéral follows the standard -al/-aux pattern in the masculine plural: les gouvernements fédéraux. The feminine is fédérale. It is most commonly used in political or administrative contexts (l'État fédéral, la loi fédérale). The noun fédération (f) is closely related.

Examples

"Le gouvernement fédéral a adopté une nouvelle loi."

Natural Translation

The federal government passed a new law.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

French Numbers 1 to 100: Count With Confidence

French numbers 1 to 100 in one complete chart, with pronunciation, the et-un rule, hyphens, and the four-twenties system explained so you can count anywhere.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French Liaison Rules: When to Link Words (and Not To)

French liaison links a silent final consonant to the next vowel. Learn the obligatory, forbidden, and optional rules, plus the s→z and d→t sound shifts.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

French Greetings: Bonjour, Salut, Coucou Explained

Bonjour, salut, or coucou? Pick the right French greeting every time with a simple two-axis guide to formality and time of day, plus how to say goodbye.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

The Bonjour Rule: French Etiquette for Visitors

Always say bonjour before you ask, order, or pay in France — the unspoken rule that opens every door. A respectful visitor's guide to French etiquette.

June 4, 2026 6 min read