marchande

Marchande is the feminine form of the French noun marchand, meaning a trader, dealer, or shopkeeper. It refers to a person, typically a woman, who buys and sells goods or provides retail services. The term can describe someone who operates a market stall, a shop, or a mobile selling operation, and is commonly seen in phrases such as marchande de fruits, marchande de mode, or marchande ambulante.

Etymology and related terms: The word derives from Old French marchant, from Late Latin mercans, from mercari “to trade.” The related noun marchandise means merchandise, and the verb marchander means to bargain or haggle.

Usage and social context: Historically, women participated in commerce and could run shops or markets, often as widows continuing a family business. In medieval and early modern Europe, marchandes were part of the urban commercial landscape alongside their male counterparts. In modern French, marchande remains a standard gendered occupational label for female shopkeepers and vendors, while the masculine form is commerçant or marchand. The term is commonly encountered in everyday language as well as in historical writing and literature.

Translations and equivalents: In English, marchande is typically rendered as “merchant” or “saleswoman,” depending on context. The masculine counterpart is marchand, and related terms include marchandise (merchandise), vendre (to sell), and commerçant (merchant).

See also: marchand; marchandise; commerce; vendeuse; commerçant.