French Word of the Day: Matrimoine
You probably know the French word ‘patrimoine’ but its lesser-known counterpart ‘matrimoine’ has a long and interesting history.
Why do I need to know matrimoine?
This French word today has nothing do with being married.
What does it mean?
The word matrimoine, roughly pronounced mah-tree-mwanh, is a term used to describe the cultural, artistic, architectural and historical heritage inherited from women – in other words, the works and contributions of women that have been passed down through generations. The prefix matri– comes from Latin mater, meaning “mother.”
The word dates back to the 12th century, when matremuine was used to describe goods and property inherited from one’s mother. Over time, however, the male version patrimoine came to encompass broader familial and public heritage, while matrimoine gradually fell out of common use and became largely associated with marital law.
In modern French, patrimoine commonly has two meanings – heritage, as in the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage days) or your wealth, estate or financial holdings, such as when French election candidates have to complete a déclaration de patrimoine, listing all their personal assets.
But from the 2000s onwards, matrimoine was revived – largely in the cultural sense – thanks in part to researcher and playwright Aurore Évain, as writers and cultural organisations sought to highlight the contributions of women to France’s cultural history. The aim was to bring the work and legacy of female artists, creators and intellectuals back into view.
Rather than being a modern invention created to mirror patrimoine – from the Latin pater, meaning father – matrimoine is therefore an old French word that had largely been forgotten. Its revival has also fed into a wider linguistic and cultural debate over whether patrimoine, traditionally associated with pater, adequately reflects women’s contributions to cultural heritage.
As a result, you may sometimes see patrimoine et matrimoine used together, particularly by cultural organisations and during events highlighting women’s history and achievements.
It’s less common, but matrimoine can also be used in the financial sense, for example at a financial planning service aimed primarily at women.
If you want to talk about weddings, the French word mariage means both a wedding ceremony and more broadly the institution of marriage or matrimony.
Use it like this
Le matrimoine français est encore largement méconnu. – France’s female cultural heritage is still largely overlooked.
Les Journées du Matrimoine mettent à l’honneur des artistes et créatrices oubliées. – The Matrimoine Days celebrate overlooked women artists and creators.
“Le matrimoine n’est pas un néologisme, mais un mot effacé par l’Histoire” (France Culture) – ‘Matrimoine is not a neologism, but a word that has been erased by history’