We’re back with our business series (here's part one and part two) and today we’re tackling occupations, notably those that are a little more advanced than what we learn in a beginner French class. Below is a list of a variety of modern professions. Did your career make the list?
A few general notes about talking about professions:
If you don’t necessarily want to communicate your job title but prefer to talk about what you are in charge of or responsible for, use:
I’m in charge of...
Je suis chargé(e) de…
I’m responsible for...
Je suis responsable de…
When talking about your profession, or that of a family member or friend, the “un” or “une” that you would normally include in English is not necessary.
I’m a teacher.
Je suis professeur.
NOT
Je suis un professeur.
BUT you can use it for other instances
I’m looking for a dentist.
Je cherche une dentiste.
To address certain professions, you can use the definite article between “Monsieur” or “Madame” and the title. For example,
Madame la Juge,
Monsieur le Directeur,
English |
French (masculin) |
French (féminin) |
| Social Worker
|
Un travailleur social
|
Une travailleuse sociale
|
| Software engineer/software development engineer |
Un ingénieur logiciel /un ingénieur développement logiciel |
Une ingénieure logiciel/une ingénieure développement logiciel |
| Editor (someone who manages a newspaper/magazine) |
Un rédacteur en chef |
Une rédactrice en chef |
| Proofreader |
Un rédacteur/un relecteur |
Une rédactrice/une relectrice |
| Executive Assistant |
Un assistant de direction |
Une assistante de direction |
| Administrative Assistant |
Un assistant administratif |
Une assistante administrative |
| Civil Servant |
Un fonctionnaire |
Une fonctionnaire |
| Scientist |
Un scientifique |
Une scientifique |
| Researcher |
Un chercheur |
Une chercheuse |
| Manager |
Un gérant |
Une gérante |
| Certified Public Accountant (CPA) |
Un expert-comptable |
Une experte-comptable |
| Project Manager |
Un chef de projet |
Une cheffe de projet |
| Intern |
Un stagiaire |
Une stagiaire |
| Digital marketing manager |
Chargé de marketing digital |
Chargée de marketing digital |
| Web developer |
Un développeur web |
Une développeuse web |
| Trainer |
Un entraîneur |
Une entraîneuse |
A few general notes about talking about professions:
If you don’t necessarily want to communicate your job title but prefer to talk about what you are in charge of or responsible for, use:
I’m in charge of...
Je suis chargé(e) de…
I’m responsible for...
Je suis responsable de…
When talking about your profession, or that of a family member or friend, the “un” or “une” that you would normally include in English is not necessary.
I’m a teacher.
Je suis professeur.
NOT
Je suis un professeur.
BUT you can use it for other instances
I’m looking for a dentist.
Je cherche une dentiste.
To address certain professions, you can use the definite article between “Monsieur” or “Madame” and the title. For example,
Madame la Juge,
Monsieur le Directeur,
Natalie Collet
Former Membership Manager
From the Midwest, Natalie is a Francophile at heart. Her interest in French started when studying ballet and the language and culture entranced her through her student years. She became involved with the - Alliance - in the suburbs of Chicago after she spent an unforgettable year teaching English in a French high school near Bordeaux. She is happy to join the team in Boston and work with the members to provide them with unique opportunities, quality programming, and a community through French!
