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List of Professions in French or List of Occupations in French with example sentences

What are the List of Occupations and Professions in French with articles, Pronunciation, origin of words and with tons of examples?

It is likely that whenever we meet someone, they will ask you about your job and what you are doing. Would it not be nice if you could answer your occupation in French? For saying this, you need to know the List of Occupations and Professions in French. In this blog, you will learn to say about your profession or ask about someone’s occupation / job in French. The below are the main topics which we will cover as a part of this blog.

List of Occupations in French, List of Professions in French, Grammar for professions in French, Different types of jobs in French, List of Jobs in French
List of Occupations in French, List of Professions in French, Grammar for professions in French, Different types of jobs in French, List of Jobs in French
  1. What is the terminology for “Occupation” and “Profession” in French?
  2. What are the List of Occupations and Professions in French with articles and Pronunciation?
  3. Basic questions on profession in French or Occupation in French .

Why is it important that you learn the list of Professions in French or List of Occupations in French?

It is likely that whenever we meet someone, they will ask you about your job and what you are doing. How would you say that you are a carpenter or you are working in real estate? Would it not be nice if you could answer your occupation in French? In this blog, you will learn to say about your profession or ask about someone’s occupation / job in French.

If you’re to ever learn French properly, or if you want to live and work in France, you better get to know the terms for List of Occupations and Professions in French.

It’s of course quite near impossible to list all possible professions, but there are some common ones and the rules that you should know.

  • Many French professions have only a masculine form.
  • Even if you are a female professor, for example a female professor, you say “un professeur”, which is the masculine form, including the masculine article, un.

 

Notes About “Un,” “Une,” and “Etre”

  • In Canada, the feminine form which is “une professeure” exists. In France, however, this is usually considered incorrect.
  • You can say “une prof.” which is technically not correct but it is a colloquial way of saying “a professor”
  • Do not use an article between the verb être and someone’s profession, as in these examples:
    • Je suis peintre. – I’m a painter.
    • Il va être médecin. – He’s going to be a doctor.

 

Interesting Note about France (and Europe for that matter)

Everyone needs a job
Everyone needs a job
  • In France, asking about ones profession is a personal question and should not be asked without being more than an acquaintance.
  • If you have to ask (for reason, there may be many), ask your question starting with “Si ce n’est pas indiscret…”, which is, “If you don’t mind my asking …”
  • While in English, one simply says the profession such as “actor,” in French the word is always preceded by the article.

 

Other French Wordlists

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List for Birds in French
The complete vocabulary list for Insects in French
Vocabulary list for parts of the house in French

Some interesting questions related to the List of Professions in French or List of Occupations in French with example sentences:

Hey some jobs are just fun
Hey some jobs are just fun
  1. How do you say your profession informally in French?
    1. “What is your job?” when asked informally is translated as “Quelle est ta profession?”.
    2. “Quelle est ta profession?” can be broken down into 4 parts:
    3. which; what à feminine singular à Quelle
    4. is à 3rd person singular àest
    5. your àinformal feminine singular à ta
    6. profession à profession
  2. What are the most common occupations or professions in France?
    1. The industries currently dominating the employment market are health and social care, wholesale and retail trade, and manufacturing.
    2. The most in-demand jobs are expected to be in construction, followed by the accommodation and food sector, and professional services.
  3. How do you say your profession formally in French?
    1. “What is your job?” when asked informally is translated as “Quelle est votre profession?”.
    2. “Quelle est votre profession?” can be broken down into 4 parts:
    3. which; what à feminine singular à Quelle
    4. is à 3rd person singular àest
    5. your àinformal feminine singular à votre
    6. profession à profession

 

What is the terminology for “Occupation” and “Profession” in French for A – D?

Why is the list of occupations in French important? Whether you are a novice or whether you are meeting new people, whether you are discussing with family or whether you are dating, you will have to explain about the job which you are doing, your parents job or the job that you are studying college for.

The list of professions in French or the list of occupations in French requires a new list of vocabulary. There are many occupational words to learn in French and you can find a large list below. This is the list of occupations in French or Professions in French for jobs starting from alphabets A – D.

List of Professions in French or List of Occupations in French with example sentences
List of Professions in French or List of Occupations in French with example sentences
FrenchEnglishEnglish SentenceFrench Sentence
Le comptableAccountantMy name is john and I am an accountantJe m’appelle John et je suis comptable
L’acteur / L’actriceactor/actressThe actress is very beautifulL’actrice est très belle
L’architectearchitectAn architect built this house.Un architecte a construit cette maison.
Le boulangerbakerThe baker and the banker are best friends.Le boulanger et le banquier sont les meilleurs amis.
Le caissier de banquebank tellerThe bank teller is bored.Le caissier de banque s’ennuie.
Le patronbossThe boss sold his shares in the stock market.Le patron a vendu ses parts en bourse.
Le tailleur de pierrestone masonIs John a stone mason?Jean est-il tailleur de pierre ?
Le courtierbrokerWe are brokers.Nous sommes des courtiers.
Le chauffeur de busbus driverWho is the bus driver?Qui est le chauffeur du bus ?
Le boucherbutcherThe butcher gave a big bone to the dogLe boucher a donné un gros os au chien
Le caissiercashierThe cashier was stealing.Le caissier volait.
Le chimistechemistHeisenberg is a chemist who makes toothpaste.Heisenberg est un chimiste qui fabrique du dentifrice.
Le fonctionnairecivil servantIndia has many civil servants.L’Inde compte de nombreux fonctionnaires.
La femme de ménagecleaning womanI called the cleaning woman to clean the room.J’ai appelé la femme de ménage pour nettoyer la chambre.
Le programmeur informatiquecomputer programerWhen will the computer programer come home?Quand le programmeur informatique rentrera-t-il à la maison ?
Le cuisinier, Le chefcook, chefThe chef carries a large knifeLe chef porte un grand couteau
L’artisancraftsmanThe craftsman is very strongL’artisan est très fort
Le danceurdancerThe dancer loves to dance.Le danseur aime danser.
Le décorateurdecoratorMy brother is a decoratorMon frère est décorateur
Le dentistedentistI do not like my dentist.Je n’aime pas mon dentiste.
Le dermatologuedermatologistA dermatologist lives in Unterbiberger road.Un dermatologue habite rue Unterbiberger.
Le détectivedetectiveA detective followed the car.Un détective a suivi la voiture.
La diététisteDietitianThe Dietitian is very fat.La diététiste est très grosse.
Le DJDJThe DJ was very relaxed.Le DJ était très détendu.
Le médecin, Le médecindoctor, physicianThe doctor owns a hospital.Le médecin possède un hôpital.

 

What is the terminology for “Occupation” and “Profession” in French for E – M?

Well Well well… we are done with so many professions from A- E. The list of professions in French or the list of occupations in French is indeed a vast list but nevertheless, we shall persevere J . There are quite a few more occupational words to learn in French. This is the list of occupations in French or Professions in French for jobs from E – M.

Firemen who save the world
Firemen who save the world
FrenchEnglishEnglish SentenceFrench Sentence
L’électricienelectricianThe electrician sold motors.L’électricien a vendu des moteurs.
L’employéemployeeI am on employee of Allianz.Je suis un employé d’Allianz.
L’ingénieurengineerThe engineer repairs cars.L’ingénieur répare les voitures.
L’agriculteur / le fermierFarmerThe farmer sold potatoes and tomatoes.Le fermier vendait des pommes de terre et des tomates.
Le pompierfire fighterThe fire fighter is very brave.Le pompier est très courageux.
Le pêcheurfishermanDid the fisherman catch crabs today?Le pêcheur at-il attrapé des crabes aujourd’hui ?
Le barbierBarberThe barber  is very skilful.Le coiffeur est très habile.
L’horticulteurhorticulturistShe is a horticulturist and she likes flowers.Elle est horticultrice et aime les fleurs.
Le directeur de l’hôtelhotel managerI became a hotel manager when I was 21.Je suis devenu directeur d’hôtel à 21 ans.
L’interprèteInterpreterI know 6 languages and I am an InterpreterJe connais 6 langues et je suis interprète
L’informaticienIT workerMy job is very boring. I am an IT workerMon travail est très ennuyeux. je suis informaticien
Le charpentier / Le menuisierCarpenterThe carpenter purchased 100 kgs of wood.Le menuisier a acheté 100 kg de bois.
La journalistejournalistWe must hide from the journalist.Nous devons nous cacher du journaliste.
Le jugeJudgeThe judge was very angry because the lawyer was late.Le juge était très en colère parce que l’avocat était en retard.
L’avocatLawyerThe lawyer was late.L’avocat était en retard.
Le chauffeur du camiontruck driverThe French truck driver drives from Spain to France.Le chauffeur de camion français conduit de l’Espagne à la France.
L’infirmièreNurseThe nurse is very kind.L’infirmière est très gentille.
Le mathématicienmathematicianRachel is a famous mathematicianRachel est une mathématicienne célèbre
La mécaniquemechanicThe mechanic learned how to play a piano.Le mécanicien a appris à jouer du piano.
Le marchandMerchantDo merchants stay in this hotel?Les commerçants séjournent-ils dans cet hôtel ?
Le musicienMusicianMozart was a famous musician.Mozart était un musicien célèbre.

 

What is the terminology for “Occupation” and “Profession” in French for N – Z?

THANK GOD!!! That is 2 sets of professions in French or Occupations in French which we have just completed…. just one more set of French professions to go J … This is the list of occupations in French or Professions in French for jobs from N – Z.

FrenchEnglishEnglish SentenceFrench Sentence
Le peintrePainterThe painter was color blind but he paints with all colors.Le peintre était daltonien mais il peint avec toutes les couleurs.
Le pharmacien, Le chimistepharmacist, chemistShould we go to the pharmacist or the doctor?Doit-on aller chez le pharmacien ou chez le médecin ?
Le photographephotographerThe photographer is very rich and has won many awards.Le photographe est très riche et a remporté de nombreux prix.
Le PhysicienPhysicistLeonard was a physicist in Caltech university.Leonard était physicien à l’université Caltech.
Le policier, Le constable, Le policierpoliceman, constable, police officerI am afraid of the policeman.J’ai peur du policier.
Le politicienpoliticianThe politician does not tell the truth.L’homme politique ne dit pas la vérité.
Le facteurpostmanWe are postmen and we want to visit the north pole.Nous sommes facteurs et nous voulons visiter le pôle nord.
Le prêtrePriestWhere did the priest go?Où est passé le prêtre ?
Le programmeurprogrammerIs the programmer drunk?Le programmeur est-il ivre ?
Le psychiatrepsychiatristMy wife is a psychiatrist in France.Ma femme est psychiatre en France.
L’agent immobilierreal estate agentThe real estate agent is very funny.L’agent immobilier est très drôle.
Le journalistereporterI met a reporter in Greece.J’ai rencontré un journaliste en Grèce.
Le couvreurrooferI hired a roofer to fix the roof.J’ai engagé un couvreur pour réparer le toit.
Le vendeursalespersonMy company hired 100 Salespersons.Mon entreprise a embauché 100 vendeurs.
Le secrétairesecretaryThe president’s secretary died last week.Le secrétaire du président est décédé la semaine dernière.
Le soldatsoldierA soldier must be brave.Un soldat doit être courageux.
Le sportifsportsmanBeckham was a great sportsman and a fantastic actor.Beckham était un grand sportif et un acteur fantastique.
Le courtier en valeurs mobilièresstock brokerThe stock broker became bankrupt.Le courtier en valeurs mobilières a fait faillite.
Le chirurgiensurgeonMy sister in law is a surgeon.Ma belle-sœur est chirurgienne.
Le chauffeur de taxitaxi driverThe taxi driver is very funny but is also very sad.Le chauffeur de taxi est très drôle mais aussi très triste.
L’enseignantteacher You are a teacher at Greenbrooke School. Vous êtes enseignant à l’école Greenbrooke.
Le guide touristiquetourist guideI wish to become a tourist guide.Je souhaite devenir guide touristique.
L’entraîneurTrainerI am the Trainer of Schaun Pete.Je suis l’entraîneur de Schaun Pete.
Le vétérinaireveterinarianThe veterinarian saved my puppy.Le vétérinaire a sauvé mon chiot.
Le serveurwaiter – waitressShe was a waitress and now she owns the restaurant.Elle était serveuse et maintenant elle est propriétaire du restaurant.
Le vigneronwinemakerYou should not drink because you are a winemaker.Vous ne devez pas boire car vous êtes vigneron.
Le travailleurworkerI am a worker and I work 40 hours every week.Je suis un ouvrier et je travaille 40 heures par semaine.
L’auteurauthorI met JK Rowling, the author of Harry Potter.J’ai rencontré JK Rowling, l’auteur de Harry Potter.

 

Some proud French professions

When you walk through a French village or a town, one thing which you will certainly see is the following shop signs proudly proclaiming:

  • The pastry chef – pâtissier/pâtissière
  • The pork butcher – charcutier/charcutière
  • The brewer – brasseur/brasseuse
  • The baker – boulanger/boulangère
  • The butcher – boucher/bouchère
  • The hairdresser – coiffeur/coiffeuse

 

Respectable Titles for certain French Professions

Like in the rest of the world, certain job titles carry respect and also carry specific abbreviations. Like you have “Doctor” added before the name of a doctor. Take a look at the following jobs and their titles (in bold):

  • médecin (doctor) — docteur
  • avocat/avocate (lawyer) — maître
  • prêtre (priest) — curé/ abbé
  • professeur (professor) — prof
  • diplomate (diplomat) — Excellence
  • evêque (bishop) — Excellence

For example, when addressing a doctor, you don’t directly say the name but you say “docteur” before the name:

  • Voici mon médecin militaire, le docteur Vivek.

TRANSLATION: This is my medical officer, Dr. Vivek.

 

Abbreviations for professions

When you are talking to a saint, you dont say “Hello Teresa” you say “Saint Teresa”. So when you are learning about the list of Professions in French or List of Occupations in French, you should know how to address people having this professions.

  • Docteur — Dr/Drs
  • Maître — Me/Mes
  • Professeur — Pr/Prs
  • Monseigneur — Mgr (Monsignor)
  • Lieutenant — Lt (Lieutenant)
  • Capitaine — Cne (Captain)
  • Général — Gal (General)
  • Colonel — Cel (Colonel)
  • Commandant — Cdt (Commander)
  • Maréchal — Mal (Marshall)
  • Son Excellence — S.E. (His excellence)
  • Prêtre/Père — P. (Priest)
  • Saint — St/Ste (Saint)

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