Improve your business vocabulary in French
How can you improve your business French?
What is Business French and how can I master it?
Commercial French (also known as professional or business French) is widely used in the world of work. At meetings, for example, we tend to use business French; in other words, highly simplified French, but with its own vocabulary and expressions. One of the easiest ways to learn business French is to start memorizing a few simple vocabulary formulas.
Key words in business French
Are you about to take your first business French language course? If so, you can start your learning by memorizing the main keywords of business French, which will be an excellent way for you to begin your French language training. In the list below, you'll find words that are very often used in the world of employment, across all sectors.
| English word | French translation |
|---|---|
| efficient | efficace |
| reliable | fiable |
| an employee | un employé |
| an accountant | un comptable |
| an office clerk | un employé de bureau |
| a secretary | un secrétaire |
| a computer scientist | un informaticie |
| a sales representative | un attaché commercial |
| a CEO | un PDG |
| a company manager | un chef d’entreprise |
| office hours | heures de bureau |
| full time | à temps plein |
| part time | à temps partiel |
| half time | à mi-temps |
| overtime | heures supplémentaires |
| a public holiday | un jour férié |
| to take a day off work | prendre un jour de repos |
| career | carrière |
| a contract of employment | un contrat de travail |
| career development | évolution de carrière |
| career prospects | perspectives de carrière |
| a permanent appointment | une titularisation |
| teamwork | travail d’équipe |
| a salary | un salaire |
| a pay slip | un bulletin de salaire |
| gross salary | salaire brut |
| net salary | salaire net |
| a bonus | une prime |
| a severance pay | prime de départ |
| paid holiday | congés payés |
| the business | les affaires |
| a corporation | une société |
| a customer | un client |
| a consumer | un consommateur |
| workplace | lieu de travail |
| a bottom line | le résultat final |
| a brainstorming | une réflexion profonde |
| a can of worms | un sac de noeuds |
| a win-win situation | une situation gagnant-gagnant |
| a no-win situation | une impasse |
| networking | créer des relations |
| a return on investment | un retour sur investissement |
| multitasking | multitâche |
| downtime | temps libre |
Business French expressions
Business French is also rich in expressions, whether to express needs, objectives or describe specific situations. When you learn business French, it's important to improve your skills in the following expressions, which will help you throughout your career to make yourself understood.
| Expression in English | French translation |
|---|---|
| I’m sorry, i don’t know the answer | Je suis désolé, je ne connais pas la réponse |
| I will find out | Je vais trouver une solution |
| Would you mind looking at this report? | Pourriez-vous jeter un oeil à ce rapport ? |
| I understand your point | Je comprends votre point de vue |
| That’s a valid opinion, but… | Votre opinion se défend, mais… |
| To think outside the box | Réfléchir à une solution différente |
| To get ducks in a row | Bien s’organiser |
| To get up to speed | Se mettre à jour |
| To pick the low hanging fruit | Choisir l’option la plus simple |
| To push the envelop | Repousser ses limites |
| To be on the ball | Être alerte |
| To touch base | Prendre contact |
| To give and take | Faire des compromis |
| To get the ball rolling | Démarrer un projet |
| In the ballpark of 5 days | Dans environ 5 jours, à vue d’oeil |
| To wrap one’s head around something | Se concentrer sur une tâche |
| To boil the ocean | Faire déplacer des montagnes |
| To bite off more than you can chew | Avoir les yeux plus gros que le ventre |
| We have decided to drill down… | Nous avons décidé d’approfondir… |
| To run something up the flagpole | Faire un test pilote |
| To pull strings | Tirer les ficelles |