charge d'affaires: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, diplomatic
Quick answer
What does “charge d'affaires” mean?
A diplomat who temporarily heads a diplomatic mission in the absence of the ambassador or minister.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A diplomat who temporarily heads a diplomatic mission in the absence of the ambassador or minister.
A person temporarily acting as the chief representative of a state in a foreign country or at an international organization.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage between British and American English. Both use the term identically in diplomatic contexts.
Connotations
Formal, official, diplomatic. Carries the same professional and governmental connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language, but standard within the specialized domain of international relations and diplomacy.
Grammar
How to Use “charge d'affaires” in a Sentence
chargé d'affaires ad interimchargé d'affaires of [Country]chargé d'affaires to [Country/Organization]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. In a business context, 'interim manager' or 'acting head' would be used.
Academic
Used in political science, international relations, and history texts discussing diplomacy.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only be encountered in news reports about diplomatic affairs.
Technical
A standard, precise term in diplomatic protocol and international law.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “charge d'affaires”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “charge d'affaires”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “charge d'affaires”
- Misspelling as 'charge d'affaires' (missing accent), 'chargé d'affaire' (missing plural 's'), or 'chargé de affairs'.
- Incorrect plural: 'chargés d'affaires' (plural of the person), while 'chargé d'affaires' remains unchanged for the title.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In formal diplomatic writing, it is usually retained. In general English journalism, it is often omitted.
The plural of the person is 'chargés d'affaires'. The title itself ('chargé d'affaires') is used for both singular and plural reference (e.g., 'three chargé d'affaires').
'Ad interim' is Latin for 'in the meantime'. It explicitly denotes the temporary, acting nature of the appointment.
Yes, a chargé d'affaires is often a senior diplomat who may later be promoted to ambassador, either to that post or another.
A diplomat who temporarily heads a diplomatic mission in the absence of the ambassador or minister.
Charge d'affaires is usually formal, diplomatic in register.
Charge d'affaires: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃɑːʒeɪ dæˈfeə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ʃɑrˈʒeɪ dəˈfɛr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “holding the fort (figurative, informal equivalent)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A person in CHARGE of AFFAIRS when the boss is away. The French spelling reminds you it's a formal, diplomatic role.
Conceptual Metaphor
A DIPLOMACY IS A THEATRE metaphor: The chargé d'affaires is an understudy for the lead actor (the ambassador).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary role of a chargé d'affaires?