In this unit you will learn some frequently used words and phrases concerning family, friends, relationships, human characteristics, and common occupations. You will learn to recognize, name, and describe signifi cant affective moments in life and essential people such as family members, friends, and people performing distinct roles in the community.
La famille (Family)
In France the minimum age for getting married is fifteen for a woman and eighteen for a man. The average number of children per family is 1.86. Most young people are educated near their homes. They do not leave home when they go to college but often stay home (à la maison) until they get married. French family
members therefore tend to remain in close contact.
la bru daughter-in-law
le cousin, la cousine cousin
le demi-frère half-brother
la demi-soeur half-sister
la famille relatives
la femme wife
la fille daughter
le fils son
le frère brother
le gendre son-in-law
le jumeau, la jumelle twin brother, sister
la maman mom
le mari husband
la mère mother
le neveu nephew
la nièce niece
l’oncle (m.) uncle
le papa dad
les parents parents
le père father
la soeur sister
la tante aunt
Les mamans françaises ont droit à un congé de maternité.
French moms are entitled to a paid maternity leave.
Leur fi ls est à l’armée.
Their son is in the army.
Il y a deux enfants dans cette famille.
There are two children in this family.
Son oncle paternel lui ressemble.
His paternal uncle looks like him.
Mes cousins sont du même âge que moi.
My cousins are the same age as me.
Nous avons une grande réunion de famille.
We have a big family reunion.
The adjective beau (m.) or belle (f.) in front of the nouns fille, fils, frère, soeur, père, or mère helps express step or in-law.
le beau-fils son-in-law, stepson
la belle-fille daughter-in-law, stepdaughter
le beau-frère brother-in-law, stepbrother
la belle-soeur sister-in-law, stepsister
le beau-père father-in-law, stepfather
la belle-mère mother-in-law, stepmother
Compound phrases such as la belle-fille and le beau-fils have a double meaning. They are used to express daughter-in-law and son-in-law. In the following sentences, note that la bru also means daughter-in-law. Similarly le gendre means son-in-law as well.
Ma belle-fille est la femme de mon fils.
My daughter-in-law is my son’s wife.
Ma bru est la femme de mon fils.
My daughter-in-law is my son’s wife.
Ma belle-fille est la fille de mon second mari.
My stepdaughter is my second husband’sdaughter.
The adjective grand or grands placed before the nouns mère, père, or parents serves to express grand mother, grand father, and grand parents.
Ma grand-mère est gentille.
My grandmother is nice.
Mon grand-père est drôle.
My grandfather is funny.
Mes grands-parents m’adorent.
My grandparents adore me.
The adjective petite, petit, or petits placed before the nouns fille, fils, and enfants serves to express granddaughter, grandson, and grandchildren.
Ma petite-fi lle s’appelle Dara.
My granddaughter’s name is Dara.
Mon petit-fi ls s’appelle Alex.
My grandson’s name is Alex
.
Mes petits-enfants sont mignons.
My grandchildren are cute.
The adverb arrière placed before grand-mère, grand-père, grands-parents, petite-fille, petit-fils, and petits-enfants serves to express great-.
J’ai des photos de mes arrière-grands- parents.
I have pictures of my great-grandparents.
Mon arrière-grand-mère était pianiste.
My great-grandmother was a pianist.
Mon arrière-grand-père est né en 1890.
My great-grandfather was born in 1890.
Les amis (Friends)
Friends play a very important role in people’s lives. The French are discreet about love relationships and often use the word ami(e) both for a friend and for a lover. The phrase petit(e) ami(e) issometimes used among teenagers for boyfriend or girlfriend. The words copain, copine, and especially camarade usually describe a more casual friendship. Here are some commonly used nouns and phrases used for friends and lovers.
l’ami (m.), le copain boyfriend
l’amie (f.), la copine girlfriend
l’ami(e) intime close friend
les amoureux (m. pl.) lovers (people in love)
l’amant(e) lover
le/la camarade friend, buddy
le/la collègue colleague
la connaissance acquaintance
Les amoureux n’ont besoin de personne.
People in love do not need anybody.
Roméo et Juliette sont des amants célèbres.
Romeo and Juliet are famous lovers.
Marie va au cinéma avec ses copains.
Marie goes to the movies with her friends.
Marie aime tous ses camarades de classe.
Marie likes all her classmates.
Marie sort danser avec son ami Luc.
Marie goes dancing with her boyfriend Luc.
L’apparence et les conditions physiques (Physical appearance and conditions)
In familiar conversation, we often describe other people, especially their hair, their eyes, and any noteworthyphysical conditions.
la bouche mouth
les cheveux hair
les cils (m. pl.) eyelashes
la dent tooth
le nez nose
l’oeil, les yeux (m.) eye, eyes
la paupière eyelid
la pommette cheekbone
le sourcil eyebrow
Note in the following examples how cheveux and yeux are usually preceded by a definite article.
Il a les cheveux longs et la moustache fine.
He has long hair and a thin mustache.
J’ai les yeux bleus.
I have blue eyes.
Elle a les pommettes très hautes.
She has very high cheekbones.
Elle a un nez en trompette.
She has a trumpet nose.
Here are some special phrases to describe the hair, the eyes, and the nose.
J’ai... I have . . .
les cheveux courts/longs/raides/bouclés
short/long/straight/curly hair
les cheveux blonds/roux/noirs/châtains
blond/red/black/brown hair
les yeux bleus/bruns/verts/gris/noisette blue/brown/green/gray/hazel eyes
le nez aquilin/crochu/en trompette
a(n) aquiline/hook/trumpet nose
Le comportement humain (Human behavior)
Various universal emotions and reactions characterize human behavior. Certain situations elicit positive emotions; others elicit negative emotions.
l’affection (f.) affection
l’amour (m.) love
la compassion sympathy
l’émotion, l’émotion vive emotion, thrill
l’espoir (m.) hope
la gratitude gratitude
la satisfaction satisfaction
la surprise surprise
La naissance d’un enfant est un grand bonheur.
The birth of a child is a great happiness.
L’étudiant qui réussit éprouve joie et fierté.
Th e student who succeeds feels joy and pride.
Un acte malhonnête nous met en colère.
A dishonest act makes us angry.
On peut aussi éprouver... You can also feel . . .
du chagrin sorrow
de la colère anger
une déception disappointment
du dégoût disgust
du désespoir despair
de la haine hatred
de la honte shame
de l’ingratitude (f.) ingratitude
de l’irritation (f.) irritation
de la jalousie jealousy
de la peur fear
de la tristesse sadness
de l’anxiété (f.) anxiety
Quelle peur j’ai eue!
I got so scared!
J’ai dû maîtriser ma colère!
I had to control my anger!
Maintenant je ressens plutôt dela tristesse.
Now I rather feel sadness.
Il y a eu trop de déceptions dans ma vie.
There have been many disappointments in my life.
Les expressions affectives (Emotional expressions)
The way people show their emotions varies from one person to another and from one set of circumstances to another. Here are some examples of displays of emotion.
un baiser, une bise, un bisou kiss
un cadeau gift
une caresse caress
une étreinte strong embrace, hug
des félicitations (f. pl.) congratulations
une menace threat
les mots d’amour (m. pl.) love words
des remerciements (m. pl.) thanks
des reproches reproaches
L’enfant envoie des bisous.
The child sends kisses.
Elle mérite un grand applaudissement.
She deserves a big applause.
Je t’offre mes remerciements.
I thank you.
Le professeur nous fait des reproches.
The teacher reproaches us.
Les attitudes (Attitudes)
People’s attitudes depend on their innate personality traits as well as on their circumstances. Some people, for example, seem to be endowed with patience (la patience), while others easily succomb to impatience (l’impatience). Note that nouns ending in -té are feminine, while nouns ending in -isme are masculine.
le courage courage
la douceur gentleness
l’enthousiasme (m.) excitement
la fierté pride
la générosité generosity
l’idéalisme (m.) idealism
l’indépendance (f.) independence
l’innocence (f.) innocence
l’optimisme (m.) optimism
la politesse politeness
la prudence prudence
le réalisme realism
le zèle zeal
J’admire son optimisme.
I admire his optimism.
Elle traite tous ses patients avec douceur.
She treats all her patients with gentleness.
Il parle de son fils avec fierté.
He talks about his son with pride.
Nous faisons tous nos devoirs avec zèle.
We do all our homework with zeal.
Les adolescents ont besoin d’indépendance.
Adolescents need independence.
Here are some less-pleasant attitudes.
l’agressivité (f.) aggressiveness
l’arrogance (f.) arrogance
l’égoïsme (m.) selfi shness
l’ennui (m.) boredom
l’envie (f.) envy
l’esprit rebelle (m.) rebelliousness
l’imprudence (f.) recklessness
l’insolence (f.) rudeness
la lâcheté cowardice
la paresse laziness
le pessimisme pessimism
la témérité boldness, recklessness
le sarcasme sarcasm
le snobisme snobbery
L’arrogance rend une personne antipathique.
Arrogance makes a person disagreeable.
L’égoïsme est un vilain défaut.
Selfi shness is an ugly fault.
J’exprime mon ennui en bâillant.
I express my boredom by yawning.
Personality traits (les traits de caractère) affect attitudes. Here are a few examples.
l’avarice (f.) greed
la foi faith
l’héroïsme (m.) heroism
l’humour (m.) humor
l’ingénuité (f.) ingenuity
la malice malice
Quel héroïsme face au danger!
What heroism in the face of danger!
Les prêtres ont la foi.
Priests have faith.
Le loup fait souvent preuve de malice.
The wolf oft en shows malice.
Occupations et professions (Occupations and professions)
One of the most interesting facts about people is their occupation or the way they make a living.Young people and seniors have very little chance of finding employment in France where unemployment rates are high. Many people pursue higher education in order to enter a profession.
l’architecte (m.) architect
l’avocat(e) lawyer
l’avocat général (m.) prosecutor
l’écrivain (m.) writer
l’enseignant(e) instructor, teacher
l’ingénieur (m.) engineer
l’instituteur (m.), l’institutrice (f.) elementary school teacher
l’interprète (m./f.) interpreter
le juge judge
le rédacteur, la rédactrice editor
le reporter reporter
le/la documentaliste information specialist
le/la journaliste journalist
le/la professeur teacher, professor
le/la stagiaire trainee
L’avocat défend son client.
The lawyer defends his client.
L’enseignant instruit les étudiants.
The teacher instructs the students.
La journaliste informe les lecteurs.
The journalist informs readers.
Le rédacteur révise le travail du journaliste.
The editor revises the journalist’s work.
Un bon professeur est qualifi é et motivé.
A good teacher is qualifi ed and motivated.
Les occupations de la santé (Health care occupations)
Higher education (l’enseignement supérieur) also opens the door to medical professions.
le/la chirurgien(ne) surgeon
le/la dentiste dentist
l’infi rmier (m.), l’infirmière (f.) nurse
le/la médecin doctor, physician
le/la nutritionniste nutritionist
l’opticien(ne) optician
le/la pharmaciste pharmacist
le/la psychiatre psychiatrist
le/la psychologue psychologist
le/la vétérinaire veterinarian
L’infirmier donne une piqûre au patient.
The nurse gives the patient a shot.
Va chez le dentiste te faire plomber cette dent.
Go to the dentist to get this tooth filled.
Le pharmaciste m’a conseillé ce remède.
The pharmacist recommended to me this remedy.
Ma nutritionniste me fait suivre un régime.
My nutritionist is making me follow a diet.
Les arts (Art)
Artistic occupations require talent, whether it is Marcel Marceau’s art of pantomime or Claude Debussy’s musical talent.
Il faut être doué pour devenir...
You have to be talented to become a(n). .
acteur (m.), actrice (f.)
actor, actress
artiste (m., f.)
artist
chanteur, chanteuse
singer
chef
chef
comédien(ne)
comedian
compositeur
composer
danseur (m.), danseuse
dancer
dramaturge (m., f.)
playwright
écrivain (m.)
writer
illustrateur (m., f.)
illustrator
musicien(ne)
musician
photographe (m., f.)
photographer
peintre (m., f.)
painter
sculpteur (m.), sculptrice (f.)
sculptor
Note that a profession is not preceded by an article unless the profession is modified.
Auguste Rodin était un sculpteur Auguste de génie.
Rodin was a sculptor with genius.
Paul Gauguin était peintre.
Paul Gauguin was a painter.
Frédéric Chopin était compositeur.
Frederick Chopin was a composer.
Gérard Depardieu? Il est acteur.
Gérard Depardieu? He is an actor.
C’était un écrivain existentialiste.
He was an existentialist writer.
Le chef Paul Bocuse a une réputation internationale.
Chef Paul Bocuse has an international reputation.
Les métiers (Trade occupations)
People who want to learn a trade or enter public service can acquire the necessary skills either in traditional high schools or in vocational schools (les écoles professionnelles). Here are somenouns for trade and public service occupations.
l’agent de police (m.) policeman
le chauff eur de taxi (m.) taxi driver
le coiffeur, la coiffeuse hairdresser
le conducteur, la conductrice d’autobus bus driver
le cuisinier, la cuisinière cook
l’électricien(ne) electrician
l’employé(e) employee
l’esthéticienne (f.) beautician
le facteur (m.) mail carrier
la femme de ménage housecleaner
le fonctionnaire (m., f.) civil servant
le jardinier gardener
le maître-nageur lifeguard
le/la mécanicien(ne) mechanic
le pâtissier, la pâtissière pastry chef
le pompier (m.) fireman
le/la secrétaire secretary
le serveur, le garçon waiter
la serveuse waitress
le soldat (m.) soldier
le steward, l’hôtesse de l’air (f.) flight attendant
le vendeur, la vendeuse salesperson
Sa secrétaire est très qualifiée.
His secretary is very qualified.
Les fonctionnaires français beaucoup de benéfices.
ont French public employees have many benefits.
Les pompiers risquent leur vie.
Firemen risk their lives.
L’esthéticienne me fait un épilageà la cire.
The cosmetician gives me a waxing.
Les chauffeurs de taxi sont nombreux à Paris.
Cab drivers are numerous in Paris.
Le maître-nageur a sauvé la vie d’un nageur.
The lifeguard saved a swimmer’s life.
Appelle l’électricien pour réparer cette ligne.
Call the electrician to repair this line.
La vendeuse m’a donné de bons conseils.
The salesperson gave me good advice.
Going to the bakery, the pastry shop, the butcher shop, or the deli can be expressed in two different ways. Note in the following examples that the person working in the shop or owning the shop is mentioned (le pâtissier) rather than the place itself (la pâtisserie).
Allons chez le pâtissier du coin acheter un gâteau.
Let’s go to the pastry shop around the corner tobuy a cake.
Je suis allée chez le boucher hier matin.
I went to the butcher shop yesterday morning.
La famille (Family)
In France the minimum age for getting married is fifteen for a woman and eighteen for a man. The average number of children per family is 1.86. Most young people are educated near their homes. They do not leave home when they go to college but often stay home (à la maison) until they get married. French family
members therefore tend to remain in close contact.
la bru daughter-in-law
le cousin, la cousine cousin
le demi-frère half-brother
la demi-soeur half-sister
la famille relatives
la femme wife
la fille daughter
le fils son
le frère brother
le gendre son-in-law
le jumeau, la jumelle twin brother, sister
la maman mom
le mari husband
la mère mother
le neveu nephew
la nièce niece
l’oncle (m.) uncle
le papa dad
les parents parents
le père father
la soeur sister
la tante aunt
Les mamans françaises ont droit à un congé de maternité.
French moms are entitled to a paid maternity leave.
Leur fi ls est à l’armée.
Their son is in the army.
Il y a deux enfants dans cette famille.
There are two children in this family.
Son oncle paternel lui ressemble.
His paternal uncle looks like him.
Mes cousins sont du même âge que moi.
My cousins are the same age as me.
Nous avons une grande réunion de famille.
We have a big family reunion.
The adjective beau (m.) or belle (f.) in front of the nouns fille, fils, frère, soeur, père, or mère helps express step or in-law.
le beau-fils son-in-law, stepson
la belle-fille daughter-in-law, stepdaughter
le beau-frère brother-in-law, stepbrother
la belle-soeur sister-in-law, stepsister
le beau-père father-in-law, stepfather
la belle-mère mother-in-law, stepmother
Compound phrases such as la belle-fille and le beau-fils have a double meaning. They are used to express daughter-in-law and son-in-law. In the following sentences, note that la bru also means daughter-in-law. Similarly le gendre means son-in-law as well.
Ma belle-fille est la femme de mon fils.
My daughter-in-law is my son’s wife.
Ma bru est la femme de mon fils.
My daughter-in-law is my son’s wife.
Ma belle-fille est la fille de mon second mari.
My stepdaughter is my second husband’sdaughter.
The adjective grand or grands placed before the nouns mère, père, or parents serves to express grand mother, grand father, and grand parents.
Ma grand-mère est gentille.
My grandmother is nice.
Mon grand-père est drôle.
My grandfather is funny.
Mes grands-parents m’adorent.
My grandparents adore me.
The adjective petite, petit, or petits placed before the nouns fille, fils, and enfants serves to express granddaughter, grandson, and grandchildren.
Ma petite-fi lle s’appelle Dara.
My granddaughter’s name is Dara.
Mon petit-fi ls s’appelle Alex.
My grandson’s name is Alex
.
Mes petits-enfants sont mignons.
My grandchildren are cute.
The adverb arrière placed before grand-mère, grand-père, grands-parents, petite-fille, petit-fils, and petits-enfants serves to express great-.
J’ai des photos de mes arrière-grands- parents.
I have pictures of my great-grandparents.
Mon arrière-grand-mère était pianiste.
My great-grandmother was a pianist.
Mon arrière-grand-père est né en 1890.
My great-grandfather was born in 1890.
Les amis (Friends)
Friends play a very important role in people’s lives. The French are discreet about love relationships and often use the word ami(e) both for a friend and for a lover. The phrase petit(e) ami(e) issometimes used among teenagers for boyfriend or girlfriend. The words copain, copine, and especially camarade usually describe a more casual friendship. Here are some commonly used nouns and phrases used for friends and lovers.
l’ami (m.), le copain boyfriend
l’amie (f.), la copine girlfriend
l’ami(e) intime close friend
les amoureux (m. pl.) lovers (people in love)
l’amant(e) lover
le/la camarade friend, buddy
le/la collègue colleague
la connaissance acquaintance
Les amoureux n’ont besoin de personne.
People in love do not need anybody.
Roméo et Juliette sont des amants célèbres.
Romeo and Juliet are famous lovers.
Marie va au cinéma avec ses copains.
Marie goes to the movies with her friends.
Marie aime tous ses camarades de classe.
Marie likes all her classmates.
Marie sort danser avec son ami Luc.
Marie goes dancing with her boyfriend Luc.
L’apparence et les conditions physiques (Physical appearance and conditions)
In familiar conversation, we often describe other people, especially their hair, their eyes, and any noteworthyphysical conditions.
la bouche mouth
les cheveux hair
les cils (m. pl.) eyelashes
la dent tooth
le nez nose
l’oeil, les yeux (m.) eye, eyes
la paupière eyelid
la pommette cheekbone
le sourcil eyebrow
Note in the following examples how cheveux and yeux are usually preceded by a definite article.
Il a les cheveux longs et la moustache fine.
He has long hair and a thin mustache.
J’ai les yeux bleus.
I have blue eyes.
Elle a les pommettes très hautes.
She has very high cheekbones.
Elle a un nez en trompette.
She has a trumpet nose.
Here are some special phrases to describe the hair, the eyes, and the nose.
J’ai... I have . . .
les cheveux courts/longs/raides/bouclés
short/long/straight/curly hair
les cheveux blonds/roux/noirs/châtains
blond/red/black/brown hair
les yeux bleus/bruns/verts/gris/noisette blue/brown/green/gray/hazel eyes
le nez aquilin/crochu/en trompette
a(n) aquiline/hook/trumpet nose
Le comportement humain (Human behavior)
Various universal emotions and reactions characterize human behavior. Certain situations elicit positive emotions; others elicit negative emotions.
l’affection (f.) affection
l’amour (m.) love
la compassion sympathy
l’émotion, l’émotion vive emotion, thrill
l’espoir (m.) hope
la gratitude gratitude
la satisfaction satisfaction
la surprise surprise
La naissance d’un enfant est un grand bonheur.
The birth of a child is a great happiness.
L’étudiant qui réussit éprouve joie et fierté.
Th e student who succeeds feels joy and pride.
Un acte malhonnête nous met en colère.
A dishonest act makes us angry.
On peut aussi éprouver... You can also feel . . .
du chagrin sorrow
de la colère anger
une déception disappointment
du dégoût disgust
du désespoir despair
de la haine hatred
de la honte shame
de l’ingratitude (f.) ingratitude
de l’irritation (f.) irritation
de la jalousie jealousy
de la peur fear
de la tristesse sadness
de l’anxiété (f.) anxiety
Quelle peur j’ai eue!
I got so scared!
J’ai dû maîtriser ma colère!
I had to control my anger!
Maintenant je ressens plutôt dela tristesse.
Now I rather feel sadness.
Il y a eu trop de déceptions dans ma vie.
There have been many disappointments in my life.
Les expressions affectives (Emotional expressions)
The way people show their emotions varies from one person to another and from one set of circumstances to another. Here are some examples of displays of emotion.
un baiser, une bise, un bisou kiss
un cadeau gift
une caresse caress
une étreinte strong embrace, hug
des félicitations (f. pl.) congratulations
une menace threat
les mots d’amour (m. pl.) love words
des remerciements (m. pl.) thanks
des reproches reproaches
L’enfant envoie des bisous.
The child sends kisses.
Elle mérite un grand applaudissement.
She deserves a big applause.
Je t’offre mes remerciements.
I thank you.
Le professeur nous fait des reproches.
The teacher reproaches us.
Les attitudes (Attitudes)
People’s attitudes depend on their innate personality traits as well as on their circumstances. Some people, for example, seem to be endowed with patience (la patience), while others easily succomb to impatience (l’impatience). Note that nouns ending in -té are feminine, while nouns ending in -isme are masculine.
le courage courage
la douceur gentleness
l’enthousiasme (m.) excitement
la fierté pride
la générosité generosity
l’idéalisme (m.) idealism
l’indépendance (f.) independence
l’innocence (f.) innocence
l’optimisme (m.) optimism
la politesse politeness
la prudence prudence
le réalisme realism
le zèle zeal
J’admire son optimisme.
I admire his optimism.
Elle traite tous ses patients avec douceur.
She treats all her patients with gentleness.
Il parle de son fils avec fierté.
He talks about his son with pride.
Nous faisons tous nos devoirs avec zèle.
We do all our homework with zeal.
Les adolescents ont besoin d’indépendance.
Adolescents need independence.
Here are some less-pleasant attitudes.
l’agressivité (f.) aggressiveness
l’arrogance (f.) arrogance
l’égoïsme (m.) selfi shness
l’ennui (m.) boredom
l’envie (f.) envy
l’esprit rebelle (m.) rebelliousness
l’imprudence (f.) recklessness
l’insolence (f.) rudeness
la lâcheté cowardice
la paresse laziness
le pessimisme pessimism
la témérité boldness, recklessness
le sarcasme sarcasm
le snobisme snobbery
L’arrogance rend une personne antipathique.
Arrogance makes a person disagreeable.
L’égoïsme est un vilain défaut.
Selfi shness is an ugly fault.
J’exprime mon ennui en bâillant.
I express my boredom by yawning.
Personality traits (les traits de caractère) affect attitudes. Here are a few examples.
l’avarice (f.) greed
la foi faith
l’héroïsme (m.) heroism
l’humour (m.) humor
l’ingénuité (f.) ingenuity
la malice malice
Quel héroïsme face au danger!
What heroism in the face of danger!
Les prêtres ont la foi.
Priests have faith.
Le loup fait souvent preuve de malice.
The wolf oft en shows malice.
Occupations et professions (Occupations and professions)
One of the most interesting facts about people is their occupation or the way they make a living.Young people and seniors have very little chance of finding employment in France where unemployment rates are high. Many people pursue higher education in order to enter a profession.
l’architecte (m.) architect
l’avocat(e) lawyer
l’avocat général (m.) prosecutor
l’écrivain (m.) writer
l’enseignant(e) instructor, teacher
l’ingénieur (m.) engineer
l’instituteur (m.), l’institutrice (f.) elementary school teacher
l’interprète (m./f.) interpreter
le juge judge
le rédacteur, la rédactrice editor
le reporter reporter
le/la documentaliste information specialist
le/la journaliste journalist
le/la professeur teacher, professor
le/la stagiaire trainee
L’avocat défend son client.
The lawyer defends his client.
L’enseignant instruit les étudiants.
The teacher instructs the students.
La journaliste informe les lecteurs.
The journalist informs readers.
Le rédacteur révise le travail du journaliste.
The editor revises the journalist’s work.
Un bon professeur est qualifi é et motivé.
A good teacher is qualifi ed and motivated.
Les occupations de la santé (Health care occupations)
Higher education (l’enseignement supérieur) also opens the door to medical professions.
le/la chirurgien(ne) surgeon
le/la dentiste dentist
l’infi rmier (m.), l’infirmière (f.) nurse
le/la médecin doctor, physician
le/la nutritionniste nutritionist
l’opticien(ne) optician
le/la pharmaciste pharmacist
le/la psychiatre psychiatrist
le/la psychologue psychologist
le/la vétérinaire veterinarian
L’infirmier donne une piqûre au patient.
The nurse gives the patient a shot.
Va chez le dentiste te faire plomber cette dent.
Go to the dentist to get this tooth filled.
Le pharmaciste m’a conseillé ce remède.
The pharmacist recommended to me this remedy.
Ma nutritionniste me fait suivre un régime.
My nutritionist is making me follow a diet.
Les arts (Art)
Artistic occupations require talent, whether it is Marcel Marceau’s art of pantomime or Claude Debussy’s musical talent.
Il faut être doué pour devenir...
You have to be talented to become a(n). .
acteur (m.), actrice (f.)
actor, actress
artiste (m., f.)
artist
chanteur, chanteuse
singer
chef
chef
comédien(ne)
comedian
compositeur
composer
danseur (m.), danseuse
dancer
dramaturge (m., f.)
playwright
écrivain (m.)
writer
illustrateur (m., f.)
illustrator
musicien(ne)
musician
photographe (m., f.)
photographer
peintre (m., f.)
painter
sculpteur (m.), sculptrice (f.)
sculptor
Note that a profession is not preceded by an article unless the profession is modified.
Auguste Rodin était un sculpteur Auguste de génie.
Rodin was a sculptor with genius.
Paul Gauguin était peintre.
Paul Gauguin was a painter.
Frédéric Chopin était compositeur.
Frederick Chopin was a composer.
Gérard Depardieu? Il est acteur.
Gérard Depardieu? He is an actor.
C’était un écrivain existentialiste.
He was an existentialist writer.
Le chef Paul Bocuse a une réputation internationale.
Chef Paul Bocuse has an international reputation.
Les métiers (Trade occupations)
People who want to learn a trade or enter public service can acquire the necessary skills either in traditional high schools or in vocational schools (les écoles professionnelles). Here are somenouns for trade and public service occupations.
l’agent de police (m.) policeman
le chauff eur de taxi (m.) taxi driver
le coiffeur, la coiffeuse hairdresser
le conducteur, la conductrice d’autobus bus driver
le cuisinier, la cuisinière cook
l’électricien(ne) electrician
l’employé(e) employee
l’esthéticienne (f.) beautician
le facteur (m.) mail carrier
la femme de ménage housecleaner
le fonctionnaire (m., f.) civil servant
le jardinier gardener
le maître-nageur lifeguard
le/la mécanicien(ne) mechanic
le pâtissier, la pâtissière pastry chef
le pompier (m.) fireman
le/la secrétaire secretary
le serveur, le garçon waiter
la serveuse waitress
le soldat (m.) soldier
le steward, l’hôtesse de l’air (f.) flight attendant
le vendeur, la vendeuse salesperson
Sa secrétaire est très qualifiée.
His secretary is very qualified.
Les fonctionnaires français beaucoup de benéfices.
ont French public employees have many benefits.
Les pompiers risquent leur vie.
Firemen risk their lives.
L’esthéticienne me fait un épilageà la cire.
The cosmetician gives me a waxing.
Les chauffeurs de taxi sont nombreux à Paris.
Cab drivers are numerous in Paris.
Le maître-nageur a sauvé la vie d’un nageur.
The lifeguard saved a swimmer’s life.
Appelle l’électricien pour réparer cette ligne.
Call the electrician to repair this line.
La vendeuse m’a donné de bons conseils.
The salesperson gave me good advice.
Going to the bakery, the pastry shop, the butcher shop, or the deli can be expressed in two different ways. Note in the following examples that the person working in the shop or owning the shop is mentioned (le pâtissier) rather than the place itself (la pâtisserie).
Allons chez le pâtissier du coin acheter un gâteau.
Let’s go to the pastry shop around the corner tobuy a cake.
Je suis allée chez le boucher hier matin.
I went to the butcher shop yesterday morning.
