What is Professions and Work?
Professions and work vocabulary in French helps you talk about careers, job duties, workplace environments, and career goals. From médecin (doctor) to informaticien (programmer), these words are essential for networking and professional conversations.
Professions and work includes French job titles (médecin, ingénieur, professeur), workplace terms (bureau, emploi, patron) and career phrases like "Qu'est-ce que vous faites?" (What do you do?). Crucial for professional and social interactions.
- •médecin (doctor)
- •infirmier (nurse)
- •serveur (waiter)
- •coiffeur (hairdresser)
- •ingénieur (engineer)
- •informaticien (programmer)
- •professeur (teacher)
- •avocat (lawyer)
Step-by-step worked examples
At a networking event, someone asks what you do. How do you respond in French?
Say: "Je suis ingénieur" (I am an engineer) Or: "Je travaille comme enseignant" (I work as a teacher) You can add: "Je travaille dans une école" (I work in a school)
A French colleague asks about your job duties. What might they ask?
They might ask: "Qu'est-ce que vous faites exactement?" (What exactly do you do?) Or: "Quelles sont vos responsabilités?" (What are your responsibilities?)
You want to ask someone's profession politely. How do you phrase it?
Ask: "Quel est votre métier?" (What is your profession?) Or more casually: "Qu'est-ce que tu fais?" (What do you do?) Or formally: "Quelle est votre profession?" (What is your profession?)
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.How do you say 'I am a doctor' in French?
Q2.What does 'métier' mean?
Q3.Which is NOT a profession in French?
Q4.How do you ask 'What do you do?' informally?
The full card deck, worked steps and AI-tutor support for “What is Professions and Work?” are in Notek — study by hand before your exam.
Common mistakes
Saying 'Je travaille médecin' instead of 'Je suis médecin'. — Correct: Always use 'Je suis' + profession. 'Je travaille' needs a location: 'Je travaille à l'hôpital.'
Confusing 'métier' (profession) with 'métro' (subway). — Correct: Métier = profession. Métro = subway. Listen carefully to distinguish.
Using 'emploi' and 'travail' interchangeably when one is more specific. — Correct: Emploi = job (specific position). Travail = work (general). Both can be used, but emploi is more formal.
Forgetting 'patron' (boss) and saying 'chef' instead. — Correct: Patron = boss/employer. Chef = chef/head. In a business, use patron.
FAQ
What is the most common way to ask someone's profession?
Qu'est-ce que vous faites? (formal) or Qu'est-ce que tu fais? (casual). Both mean 'What do you do?'
How do you say you work in a specific place?
'Je travaille à + place.' Example: 'Je travaille à l'hôpital' (I work at the hospital).
What's the difference between 'travail', 'emploi', and 'métier'?
Travail = work in general. Emploi = job/position. Métier = profession/trade/craft.
How do you describe your job responsibilities in French?
Say: 'Mon travail consiste à + verb' or 'Je suis responsable de + noun.' Example: 'Je suis responsable des ventes.'