Oui, it’s one of those masculine/feminine differentiations the French are so keen on. Per usual, add an extra e on the end of chargé to indicate the feminine.
I figured the chargé d’affaires word confusion might as well follow the attaché confusion since they are so similar in definition and gender differentiation.
Exploring Later . . .
You may also want to explore other gender-based word confusions such as “Alumna versus Alumnus“, “Attach vs Attaché vs Attachée“, “Blond(e)s & Brunet(te)s“, “Cher, Chéri versus Chère, Chérie“, “Confidant vs Confidante vs Confident“, “Fiancé versus Fiancée“, “Frances versus Francis“, “Petit versus Petite“, and/or “Protégé versus Protégée“.
Word Confusions . . .
. . . started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I was reviewing. It evolved into a sharing of information with y’all. I’m hoping you’ll share with us words that have been a bête noire for you from either end.
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| Chargé d’affaires | Chargée d’affaires |
|---|---|
.jpg "Three men meeting in a fancy living area") — |
Astrid Versto, CTBT Intensive Policy Course is courtesy of the Official CTBTO Photostream [Flickr: CTBT Intensive Policy Course; under the CC-BY-2.0 license, via Wikimedia Commons. — |
| Part of Grammar: | |
| Noun
Plural: chargés d’affaires |
Noun
Plural: chargées d’affaires |
| MALE
A male diplomatic official who temporarily takes the place of an ambassador
|
FEMALE
A female diplomatic official who temporarily takes the place of an ambassador
|
| Examples: | |
| He is the chargé d’affaires for Ruritania. | She is the chargée d’affaires for Ruritania. |
| History of the Word: | |
| Mid-18th century from the French meaning a person in charge of affairs or in charge of business. | |
C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!
Satisfy your curiosity about other Word Confusions on its homepage or more generally explore the index of self-editing posts. You may also want to explore Book Layout & Formatting Ideas, Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, Linguistics, Publishing Tips, the Properly Punctuated, Writing Ideas and Resources, and Working Your Website.
Resources for Chargé d’affaires versus Chargée d’affaires
Apple Dictionary.com
Pinterest Photo Credits
Inauguration in the Presence of the Minister of National Education of Madagascar, the Japanese Chargé d’Affaires Mr. Takanari Kakuda and the Principal of Nanisan High School is Nanisana’s own work under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license and Virginia M. Blaser, the Chargée d’Affaires to the Republic of Uganda, which was taken by U.S. Mission Uganda under the CC BY 2.0 license; both are via Wikimedia Commons.
Revised as of 17 Apr 2024
By: Kathy Davie
I have a great friend in France whose name is Frederique, she is a most successful archeologist and anthropologist and has for many years held impressive posts. Before she was as well known she often received letters addressed Cher monsieur… The masculine of Frederique is Frederic but they were so blinded by expecting the knowledge and success to be male… FUN POST! Do look just do not comment as often !
Who knows…maybe we can do something about that with the Word Confusions, lol.