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madame

ma'am, Mrs.

noun mah-DAM Common
People & Society Honorifics

Usage Note

Madame is the standard polite address for any adult woman regardless of marital status in modern French, with mademoiselle now largely fading from official use. The plural mesdames opens speeches or letters. The abbreviated written form is Mme (no period in French typography).

Examples

"Bonjour, madame, comment puis-je vous aider?"

Natural Translation

Good morning, ma'am, how can I help you?

Literal Translation

Good-day, ma'am, how can-I you help

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