travail vs. emploi: Understand the difference between these French nouns, including meanings, usage, examples, and other related job vocabulary.
French has multiple words for “job,” and two of the most common are travail and emploi. While both relate to work, they have different nuances: travail is more general and can mean “work” or “a task,” while emploi specifically means “job” or “position” — especially a paid role. We’ll explain the difference, show examples, and introduce other related vocabulary along the way.
What Is Travail?
Travail is a masculine noun (le travail) that means work in a broad sense. It can refer to any kind of work, effort, or task — not necessarily a formal job. It’s also used in more abstract ways, like “hard work” or “labor.”
Key points about travail:
- Can mean “work,” “labor,” “task,” or “job” in a general sense
- Refers to effort, activity, or something that needs to be done
- Used for both paid and unpaid work
- Can also be used in figurative senses (e.g., “the work of an artist”)
Example sentences:
- J’ai beaucoup de travail aujourd’hui. — I have a lot of work today.
- Le travail est fatigant. — Work is tiring.
- Ce projet demande beaucoup de travail. — This project requires a lot of work.
What Is Emploi?
Emploi is a masculine noun (l’emploi) that means job, position, or employment. It refers to a specific role or post, usually one that is paid and formal. It can also appear in expressions about finding or losing a job (“emploi du temps,” however, means “schedule”).
Key points about emploi:
- Means “job,” “position,” or “employment” — a specific role
- Usually refers to paid, formal, or official work
- Can be singular (un emploi) or plural (des emplois)
- Common in job ads, contracts, and discussions about employment status
Example sentences:
- J’ai trouvé un nouvel emploi. — I found a new job.
- Cet emploi est à temps partiel. — This job is part-time.
- Elle cherche un emploi dans un bureau. — She’s looking for a job in an office.
Summary: Travail vs. Emploi
| Aspect | Travail | Emploi |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Work (general), labor, task | Job, position, employment (specific role) |
| Scope | Broad (can be any kind of work or effort) | Narrow (refers to a job or post) |
| Payment | Can be paid or unpaid | Usually paid and formal |
| Usage | Describing work, effort, tasks | Talking about jobs, hiring, roles |
| Examples | J’ai du travail. | J’ai un emploi. |
Examples: Travail vs. Emploi in Context
Here are pairs of sentences showing how travail and emploi are used differently:
| Travail (work) | Emploi (job) |
|---|---|
| J’ai du travail sur mon ordinateur. | J’ai un emploi dans une entreprise. |
| I have work on my computer. | I have a job at a company. |
| Le travail commence à 9 heures. | Cet emploi commence à 9 heures. |
| Work starts at 9 a.m. | This job starts at 9 a.m. |
| Elle parle beaucoup de son travail. | Elle parle beaucoup de son emploi. |
| She talks a lot about her work. | She talks a lot about her job. |
Other Related Vocabulary
Here are some other French words related to jobs and work:
| French | English | Example (FR) | Example (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| un poste | a position | Il a postulé pour un poste de manager. | He applied for a manager position. |
| un métier | a profession/ trade | Mon métier, c’est plombier. | My profession is plumber. |
| un boulot (informal) | a job/ gig | J’ai trouvé un petit boulot d’été. | I found a summer job. |
| travailler | to work | Je travaille tous les jours. | I work every day. |
| la carrière | career | Elle a une carrière internationale. | She has an international career. |
| le chômage | unemployment | Le chômage est élevé cette année. | Unemployment is high this year. |
| un contrat | a contract | J’ai signé un contrat de six mois. | I signed a six-month contract. |
| un stage | an internship | Il fait un stage en marketing. | He’s doing an internship in marketing. |
___ significa 'a profession' o 'trade' en francés.
What does 'un métier' mean in French?
un métier
'Un métier' means 'a profession' or 'trade.' It refers to a type of work people are trained for, often involving specialized skills.
___ significa 'a position' en un contexto laboral.
What does 'un poste' mean in French?
un poste
'Un poste' means 'a position' or 'a post' within a company or organization. It often refers to a specific role or job title.
Conclusion
- travail = work (general task, effort, or activity)
- emploi = job (specific role or position, usually paid and formal)
- Use travail for talking about work in a broad sense
- Use emploi when referring to a job or employment situation
Understanding this distinction will help you talk more naturally about work and jobs in French!
Flashcards (1 of 8)
- Example (FR): Il a postulé pour un poste de manager.
- Example (EN): He applied for a manager position.
- English: a position
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
