"town hall" in seven languages

Meaningtown hall

Spanish

ayuntamiento

/aʝuntaˈmjento/

masc.other source · from ayuntar 'to join, assemble' (Latin *ADIUNCTĀRE)

French

mairie

/mɛʁi/

fem.other source · from maire 'mayor' (Latin MAIŌREM 'greater')

In big cities: l'hôtel de ville.

Italian

municipio

/muniˈtʃipjo/

masc.other source · learned, from Latin MŪNICIPIUM 'self-governing town'

Also il comune.

Portuguese

prefeitura

/pɾefejˈtuɾɐ/

fem.other source · from prefeito 'mayor' (Latin PRAEFECTUM)

In Portugal: câmara municipal.

Romanian

primărie

/priməˈrie/

fem.other source · from primar 'mayor' (Latin PRĪMĀRIUM 'first')

Catalan

ajuntament

/əʒuntəˈmen/

masc.other source · from ajuntar 'to join, assemble' (Latin *ADIUNCTĀRE)

English

town hall

/taʊn hɔl/

native English · Old English tūn + heall

English → Italiantown hallmunicipioNot relatedDifferent sources — learn this one fresh. But English has relatives: adjunct, join; mayor, major; municipal.What English and Italian share

The story

Three ideas of local government: the assembly (Spanish), the mayor's house (French), the Roman self-governing town (Italian).

English relatives: adjunct, join; mayor, major; municipal

Learn it

Practice the Town & city deck Quiz a friend on it

More in Town & city

All Town & city words