French - Work

Tu fais quoi comme travail ?

What do you do for work?

Meaning: What do you do for work?

When to use: Use this casual, spoken question to ask someone about their job. For more formality say: Vous faites quoi comme travail ?

Je travaille comme ___.

I work as a ___.

Meaning: I work as a ___.

When to use: Use this to say your job or role. You can also say Je suis + job title for many professions.

Tip: Remember job titles can change with gender (ex: professeur / professeure).

Je travaille chez ___.

I work at ___.

Meaning: I work at ___.

When to use: Use chez to name a company or employer (Chez Orange, chez un client). For some places, à + article is better (à l'hôpital).

Tip: Don’t use chez for public institutions: say à l'hôpital or à l'école instead.

Je travaille dans ___.

I work in ___.

Meaning: I work in ___.

When to use: Use this to name your field or department (e.g., dans la vente, dans l'informatique). Include the article where needed.

Je cherche du travail.

I'm looking for a job.

Meaning: I'm looking for a job.

When to use: Use this phrase when you’re actively seeking work. More formal: Je cherche un emploi.

Je commence le travail à ___.

I start work at ___.

Meaning: I start work at ___.

When to use: Use with a time: Je commence le travail à huit heures, or à 9 h 30.

Je finis le travail à ___.

I finish work at ___.

Meaning: I finish work at ___.

When to use: Use to state when your workday ends: Je finis le travail à 17 h, or Je termine le travail à 17 h.

Je suis de repos ___.

I have a day off on ___.

Meaning: I have a day off on ___.

When to use: Use to say your regular day off (le lundi) or a specific day (lundi).

Tu peux m'aider avec cette tâche ?

Can you help me with this task?

Meaning: Can you help me with this task?

When to use: Use this to request help with work tasks. More formal: Vous pouvez m'aider avec cette tâche ?

Je suis en pause.

I'm on break.

Meaning: I'm on break.

When to use: Say this during a short pause at work or school to explain you're taking a break.

Je travaille à temps plein.

I work full-time.

Meaning: I work full-time.

When to use: Use to describe a full-time job schedule: Je travaille à temps plein.

Je travaille à temps partiel.

I work part-time.

Meaning: I work part-time.

When to use: Use to say you work fewer hours: Je travaille à temps partiel. « À mi-temps » is specifically half-time.

La réunion est à quelle heure ?

What time is the meeting?

Meaning: What time is the meeting?

When to use: Ask this to find out a meeting or appointment time at work.