civique

Civique is a French adjective that denotes relation to citizens, public life, or the political community. It is used to describe matters connected with the rights, duties, and participation of people in the common good, and it often appears in discussions of democracy, governance, and civic culture.

The term derives from Latin civicus, through Old French civique, with the root civis meaning citizen. In contemporary French, civique is commonly linked to the sphere of public affairs and citizen engagement rather than private or strictly legal contexts.

Common usages include phrases such as éducation civique (civics education), which focuses on teaching citizens about political institutions and civic responsibilities; service civique (civic service), a structured program of voluntary public service; and esprit civique or engagement civique, referring to civic-mindedness, participation in public life, and adherence to shared rules. The adjective also appears in descriptions of institutions, events, or spaces intended to serve the public and foster community participation.

In practice, civique signals normative values like participation, responsibility, solidarity, and respect for the rule of law. While its exact emphasis can vary by country and political culture, the term consistently frames public life as a collective enterprise that depends on active and informed citizen participation.

See also: civics; civic.