Jobs vocabulary in French, including common occupations, workplace terms, and job-related expressions.

This section covers essential French vocabulary for talking about jobs, workplaces, and related activities, along with example sentences to see how the words are used in context.

Common Occupations

Here are some of the most common job titles in French, along with example sentences:

French Occupation	English Occupation	French Example	English Example
médecin / médecin	doctor	Le médecin est dans son bureau.	The doctor is in her office.
professeur / professeure	teacher	Le professeur explique la leçon.	The teacher explains the lesson.
ingénieur / ingénieure	engineer	L’ingénieur travaille sur un projet.	The engineer is working on a project.
vendeur / vendeuse	salesperson	La vendeuse aide le client.	The salesperson helps the customer.
cuisinier / cuisinière	cook	Le cuisinier prépare le dîner.	The cook is preparing dinner.
secrétaire	secretary	La secrétaire organise les rendez-vous.	The secretary schedules the appointments.
chauffeur	driver	Le chauffeur conduit le bus.	The driver is driving the bus.
avocat / avocate	lawyer	L’avocate plaide au tribunal.	The lawyer is arguing in court.
journaliste	journalist	Le journaliste écrit un article.	The journalist is writing an article.
infirmier / infirmière	nurse	L’infirmière prend la température du patient.	The nurse takes the patient’s temperature.

Workplace Vocabulary

These words help you describe places and tools related to work:

French Noun	English Noun	French Example	English Example
bureau	office	Je travaille dans un bureau.	I work in an office.
entreprise	company	Cette entreprise est internationale.	This company is international.
usine	factory	L’usine produit des voitures.	The factory produces cars.
réunion	meeting	Nous avons une réunion à 10h.	We have a meeting at 10 AM.
ordinateur	computer	J’utilise un ordinateur portable.	I use a laptop.
téléphone	phone	Le téléphone sonne souvent au bureau.	The phone rings often at the office.
email	email	J’ai envoyé un email au client.	I sent an email to the client.
rapport	report	Le directeur a lu le rapport.	The manager read the report.
contrat	contract	Il a signé un nouveau contrat.	He signed a new contract.
pause	break	On prend une pause de 15 minutes.	We take a 15-minute break.

Job-Related Expressions

These common phrases will help you talk about work routines, responsibilities, and job searching:

French Expression	English Expression	French Example	English Example
chercher un emploi	look for a job	Elle cherche un emploi dans le marketing.	She is looking for a job in marketing.
postuler à un poste	apply for a position	Il a postulé à un poste de vendeur.	He applied for a sales position.
être en congé	be on leave	Je suis en congé la semaine prochaine.	I’m on leave next week.
travailler à temps plein	work full-time	Il travaille à temps plein dans une banque.	He works full-time at a bank.
travailler à temps partiel	work part-time	Je travaille à temps partiel le soir.	I work part-time in the evenings.
prendre sa retraite	retire	Mon grand-père a pris sa retraite.	My grandfather has retired.
gagner sa vie	earn a living	Elle gagne sa vie comme traductrice.	She earns a living as a translator.
être responsable de	be responsible for	Je suis responsable du marketing digital.	I’m responsible for digital marketing.
faire des heures supplémentaires	work overtime	Il fait souvent des heures supplémentaires.	He often works overtime.
avoir une réunion	have a meeting	J’ai une réunion avec mon équipe.	I have a meeting with my team.

This completes the overview of essential French job vocabulary, from common occupations to workplace terms and useful expressions.

Elle ___ dans le marketing.

How do you say 'look for a job' in French?

postule à un poste

cherche un emploi

est en congé

prend sa retraite

cherche un emploi

The expression 'look for a job' in French is 'chercher un emploi'. The sentence 'Elle cherche un emploi dans le marketing' means 'She is looking for a job in marketing.'

Flashcards (1 of 30)

English Occupation: doctor
English Example: The doctor is in her office.

Next Up: Workplace

Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025