Job titles in French are useful for discussing professions, describing your role, or understanding workplace conversations. This guide includes common job titles across different fields, along with their English equivalents, to help you navigate professional settings in French.

Common Job Titles

These are some of the most frequently used job titles in French, covering a wide range of roles and industries. Use these to describe your occupation, ask about someone’s job, or read about professions in French.
French Job TitleEnglish Job TitleFrench ExampleEnglish Example
employé / employéeemployeeJe suis employé dans une banque.I am an employee at a bank.
directeur / directricedirector / managerLa directrice organise la réunion.The director is organizing the meeting.
ingénieur / ingénieureengineerL’ingénieur travaille sur un nouveau projet.The engineer is working on a new project.
enseignant / enseignanteteacherL’enseignante explique la leçon.The teacher explains the lesson.
médecindoctorLe médecin examine le patient.The doctor examines the patient.
secrétairesecretaryLa secrétaire gère les appels téléphoniques.The secretary handles phone calls.
vendeur / vendeusesalespersonLa vendeuse aide les clients en magasin.The salesperson assists customers in the store.
journalistejournalistLe journaliste écrit un article.The journalist writes an article.
étudiant / étudiantestudentL’étudiante étudie le français.The student studies French.
chefchef / bossLe chef prépare le repas.The chef prepares the meal.

The journalist writes an article. (French: Le ______ écrit un article.)


journaliste

'Journaliste' means 'journalist' and fits the context of writing articles.

The teacher explains the lesson. (French: L’______ explique la leçon.)


  • enseignante
  • enseignant
‘Enseignant’ (masculine) and ‘enseignante’ (feminine) mean 'teacher,' which matches the context of explaining a lesson.

Job Titles by Industry

Below are common job titles categorized by industry to help you learn vocabulary specific to different work environments.

Business and Administration

These job titles are common in offices, corporate settings, and administrative roles.
French Job TitleEnglish Job TitleFrench ExampleEnglish Example
assistant / assistanteassistantL’assistante organise les rendez-vous.The assistant schedules the appointments.
comptableaccountantLe comptable prépare les factures.The accountant prepares the invoices.
gestionnairemanagerLe gestionnaire supervise l’équipe.The manager supervises the team.
ressources humaines (RH)human resourcesLe service des RH recrute de nouveaux employés.The HR department hires new employees.

Technology

These are common job titles in the tech industry and related fields.
French Job TitleEnglish Job TitleFrench ExampleEnglish Example
développeur / développeusedeveloperLa développeuse crée des applications.The developer creates applications.
informaticien / informaticienneIT specialistL’informaticien résout les problèmes techniques.The IT specialist fixes technical issues.
technicien / techniciennetechnicianLe technicien répare les ordinateurs.The technician repairs computers.

Healthcare

These job titles are used in medical and healthcare settings.
French Job TitleEnglish Job TitleFrench ExampleEnglish Example
infirmier / infirmièrenurseL’infirmière donne des médicaments.The nurse gives medicines.
pharmacien / pharmaciennepharmacistLe pharmacien prépare les ordonnances.The pharmacist fills prescriptions.
chirurgien / chirurgiennesurgeonLe chirurgien opère le patient.The surgeon operates on the patient.

Education

These job titles are commonly found in schools and educational institutions.
French Job TitleEnglish Job TitleFrench ExampleEnglish Example
professeur / professeureprofessor / teacherLe professeur enseigne l’histoire.The teacher teaches history.
directeur / directrice d’écoleschool principalLa directrice d’école organise les activités.The principal organizes activities.
assistant(e) pédagogiqueteaching assistantL’assistante pédagogique aide en classe.The teaching assistant helps in class.

Trades and Services

These job titles are common in manual labor, customer service, and trade professions.
French Job TitleEnglish Job TitleFrench ExampleEnglish Example
plombier / plombièreplumberLe plombier répare la fuite d’eau.The plumber fixes the water leak.
électricien / électricienneelectricianL’électricien installe des lumières.The electrician installs lights.
coiffeur / coiffeusehairdresserLa coiffeuse coupe les cheveux.The hairdresser cuts hair.
serveur / serveusewaiter / waitressLa serveuse prend la commande.The waitress takes the order.

Tips for Using Job Titles in French

  • Gender agreement: Most French job titles have masculine and feminine forms (e.g., directeur / directrice). Use the appropriate form based on the person’s gender.
  • Articles: Use definite (le, la), indefinite (un, une), or partitive articles as needed (e.g., Je suis un ingénieur, Elle est directrice).
  • Plural forms: Add -s for plural (e.g., employés, enseignantes). Pronunciation usually remains the same.
  • Le/la before job titles: When a job title follows être (to be) and refers to a specific person, the article is usually omitted (Elle est médecin). Otherwise, include the article (C’est une médecin compétente).

Practice: Match the Job Titles

  1. ingénieur - engineer
  2. médecin - doctor
  3. enseignant / enseignante - teacher
  4. vendeur / vendeuse - salesperson
  5. directeur / directrice - director / manager
  6. secrétaire - secretary
  7. journaliste - journalist
  8. étudiant / étudiante - student
  9. employé / employée - employee
  10. chef - chef / boss

What is the French word for 'engineer'?


  • ingénieur
  • ingénieure
'Ingénieur' (masculine) and 'ingénieure' (feminine) are the correct French words for 'engineer.'

What are the French words for 'salesperson'?


  • vendeur
  • vendeuse
'Vendeur' (masculine) and 'vendeuse' (feminine) mean 'salesperson' in a retail context.

Conclusion

Learning job titles in French helps you talk about work, ask questions, and understand professional contexts. Remember to pay attention to gender forms and article usage for correct grammar.

Flashcards (1 of 27)

    • English Job Title: employee
    • English Example: I am an employee at a bank.

    Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025

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