consulate general: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal
Quick answer
What does “consulate general” mean?
A principal consular office, headed by a consul general, responsible for a specific, often major, region or city.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A principal consular office, headed by a consul general, responsible for a specific, often major, region or city.
The building, staff, and operations of a consul general's office, providing government services to citizens abroad and handling diplomatic relations in its assigned jurisdiction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties follow the same grammatical construction and use the term in identical formal/diplomatic contexts.
Connotations
Formal, diplomatic, governmental authority.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialized in both dialects, used almost exclusively in formal, political, or travel-related contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “consulate general” in a Sentence
the consulate general of [Country] in [City]at the consulate generalVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used when discussing international operations requiring visas or official documentation.
Academic
Used in political science, international relations, or historical texts discussing foreign representation.
Everyday
Used by travelers needing assistance or documentation services while abroad.
Technical
Standard term in diplomacy and international law denoting a specific class of consular post.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “consulate general”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “consulate general”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “consulate general”
- Incorrect plural: 'consulate generals' (correct: 'consulates general').
- Incorrect article: 'a consulate general' when referring to a specific one (correct: 'the consulate general').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the standard written form is 'consulate general' without a hyphen.
An embassy is the main diplomatic mission in a capital city, representing the government to the host government. A consulate general is a consular office in a major city, focused on services for citizens and businesses, usually under the embassy's authority.
It is headed by a consul general and staffed by consular officers and support staff who handle visas, passports, notarial services, and assist citizens.
Yes, but more formally it is 'the consulate general of France'. Both are understood, with the latter being the official designation.
A principal consular office, headed by a consul general, responsible for a specific, often major, region or city.
Consulate general is usually formal in register.
Consulate general: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒnsjʊlət ˈdʒɛn(ə)rəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːnsələt ˈdʒɛn(ə)rəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'General' in charge of a 'Consulate' – it's the main, senior office.
Conceptual Metaphor
A GOVERNMENT OFFICE IS A FORTRESS (issuing visas, providing protection).
Practice
Quiz
What is the correct plural form?