Travail and emploi both relate to the concept of “job” in French, but they have different meanings and uses.
- Travail means “work” in a general sense. It can refer to any kind of effort or task, whether paid or unpaid.
- Emploi means “job” or “position” in the sense of a specific paid employment role.
Usage of Travail
- Travail is a general noun for work or labor.
- It can be used for any kind of task, project, or effort.
- It can refer to paid or unpaid work, professional or personal tasks.
- Example: J’ai beaucoup de travail aujourd’hui. = “I have a lot of work today.”
Usage of Emploi
- Emploi refers specifically to a job or employment position.
- It usually implies a paid role within a company or organization.
- It can be used in more formal or official contexts (e.g., job ads, contracts).
- Example: Elle a trouvé un emploi dans une banque. = “She found a job at a bank.”
Thanks to her _____, she was able to pay for her studies.
Grâce à son emploi, elle a pu payer ses études.
'Emploi' highlights that her paid job provided the means to finance her studies.
She found a ________ at a bank.
Elle a trouvé un emploi dans une banque.
'Emploi' is appropriate because it refers to a specific paid position within an organization.
Summary
| Word | Meaning | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| travail | work (general) | Any kind of work or effort, paid or unpaid | J’ai du travail. (I have work.) |
| emploi | job/position | A specific paid job or employment role | Il cherche un emploi. (He’s looking for a job.) |
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
