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How to learn French: essential expressions for effective, professional communication

In order to learn French in a professional setting, your employees need to go beyond mastering grammar and vocabulary. The French business world is governed by specific expressions, acronyms, and cultural codes.

To succeed in a French-speaking environment, it’s crucial to be familiar with these elements and know how to use them correctly.

This article provides:

➡️ A guide to must-know expressions and essential acronyms.

➡️ Tips on mastering French professional customs and etiquette.

 

Key business expressions to master

Business-specific expressions are used to convey complex ideas concisely, often figuratively. These phrases are common in daily conversations and written communications.

When your employees learn French, they will need to be familiar with expressions such as:

 

French expression

Literal translation

Meaning

Prendre le train en marche

To jump on the moving train

Joining a project or initiative that's already in progress

Avoir un agenda chargé

To have a loaded schedule

Having a very busy schedule

Faire le point

To make the point

Organize a meeting to review progress or fiscuss a situation 

Mettre la barre haut

To put the bar high

Setting ambitious standards or goals 

Avoir les coudées franches 

To have free elbows 

Having the freedom to act or make decisions

Être sur la même longueur d'onde

To be on the same wavelength

Sharing the same vision or understanding with someone

Jeter l'éponge

To throw the sponge 

Giving up on a project after facing too many challenges 

 


To truly learn French, mastering these additional expressions is also essential:


    

French expression

Literal translation

Meaning

Rester à la page 

To stay on the page

Staying up to date with the latest trends or devlopments in your field 

Répondre du tac au tac 

To respond from the hit to the hit 

Responding quickly and appropriately, often with wit or sharpness

Porter ses fruits 

To bear its fruits 

Producing results or benefits after some time and effort 

Arrondir les angles 

To around the angles 

Softenint or easing the negative aspects of a situation to make it more acceptable 

Tenir au courant 

To keep up to date

Keeping someone regularly informed of updates or developments 

Mettre les bouchées doubles 

To put in double mouthfuls 

Increasing effort or speed to complete a task faster 

Avoir du pain sur la planche

To have bread on the board

 Having a lot of work or tasks to complete

When your employees learn French, it’s important for them to understand that these expressions cannot be translated literally. They are deeply rooted in French culture and understanding them is crucial for smooth communication in the workplace.

 

Teamwork-related expressions 

     

French expression

Literal translation

Meaning

Donner un coup de main

To give a blow to the hand

Helping someone with a task or project, typically in a temporary manner 

Mettre la main à la pâte

To put the hand in the dough

Actively participating in a project, oftenin a hands-on way

Travailler d'arrache-pied 

To work from the foot torn off

Working tirelessly and with great effort 

Faire cavalier seul 

To ride alone 

Working independently without collaboration from team members

Se serrer les coudes 

To tighten one's elbows 

Supporting each other within a team, especially during difficult times 

Tirer sur la même corde

To pull on the same rope

 Working together towards a common goal in a coordinated effort 

Passer le relais 

To pass the relay 

Handing over responsibility or work to another team member

Jouer collectif

To play collectively

 Prioritizing teamwork and cooperation to achieve results 

     

Decision-making-related expressions to master in order to learn French 

 

French expression

Literal translation

Meaning

 Donner son feu vert 

To give one's green light 

Giving approval to start a project or task  

 Prendre une décision sur-le-champ

To make a decision on the spot  

Making an immediate decision without delay  

Faire marche arrière 

To go backwards 

Reversing a previously made decision or approved project 

 Prendre les devants 

To make the fronts

Anticipating a situation or need and addressing it before it becomes a problem  

 Tourner autour du pot 

To go around the pot 

Avoiding direct discussion of a difficult or sensitive topic  

 

Key acronyms in the business world 

Acronyms are prevalent in French professional language, allowing for concise references to complex concepts, positions, documents, or processes. Understanding these acronyms is essential for navigating the business world effectively.

Here are a few to know when your teams learn French:

  • TPE/PME (Très Petite Entreprise/Petite et Moyenne Entreprise, Very Small Enterprises / Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)) Categories of companies defined by their number of employees and annual turnover.
  • S.A. (Société Anonyme, Anonymous Society): A legal structure for a company where the capital is divided into shares.
  • CDI/CDD (Contrat à Durée Indéterminée/Contrat à Durée Déterminée): Types of work contracts in France. A CDI is a permanent contract, while a CDD is temporary.
  • RTT (Réduction du Temps de Travail, Reducing Work Time): A system that allows employees to reduce their weekly work hours, often as compensation for extra tasks or under specific agreements.

These finance-related acronyms are also necessary to understand French:

  • C.A. (Chiffre d'Affaires): Total sales revenue of a company over a given period.
  • SMIC (Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel de Croissance): The legal minimum wage in France, ensuring a minimum income for workers.
  • HT (Hors Taxe): Price or cost before taxes.
  • TTC (Toutes Taxes Comprises): Price or cost including all taxes.
  • TVA (Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutée): Value-added tax applied to goods and services.

And some key acronyms for roles and departments within a company necessary to understand when your employees learn French:

  • PDG (Président-Directeur Général, CEO) : Chief Executive Officer - The highest executive responsible for the direction of a company, often its owner or founder.
  • RH (Ressources Humaines): Human Resources department, managing staff recruitment, training, and conflict resolution.
  • D.R.H. (Directeur des Ressources Humaines): Director of Human Resources, responsible for overall personnel management strategy.

 

If you're also curious about expanding your language skills further, be sure to check out our article on learning German – another exciting language to explore!

 

The importance of understanding professional etiquette

Cultural context and customs play a crucial role in the business world. Misunderstanding expectations or norms can lead to miscommunications, or worse, irreparable errors.

 

Formal and informal speech

Using "vous" (formal) is standard in most professional settings, especially when speaking to superiors or colleagues you don’t know well.


"Tu" (informal) is reserved for more familiar relationships and typically requires prior agreement.
Incorrect use of these forms can be perceived as disrespectful or overly familiar. It is therefore necessary to understand the difference when your teams learn French.

 

Punctuality

Punctuality is highly valued in France. Being late to meetings or appointments is generally frowned upon and seen as unprofessional. It’s best to arrive a few minutes early to show commitment and respect for others' time.

However, there is a tradition in Paris known as the “quart d'heure parisien,” where a 15-minute delay is tolerated in social settings. Despite this, it's advisable to be punctual, particularly in professional contexts.

 

Social interactions

Professional social interactions often occur during semi-formal events like business breakfasts, coffee breaks, or business lunches. While less common than 20 years ago, lunches still hold importance in fostering relationships.

If you are encouraging your teams to learn French, understanding that these moments are key opportunities to build connections will be very important for them. Engaging in these interactions shows commitment and team spirit.

 

Benefits of learning French for professional contexts

Mastering French for daily use is one thing, but learning it for professional purposes is another. Professional French training is essential for those seeking to integrate effectively into a French-speaking work environment.

 

Mastering specific jargon

Professional French courses help your teams become familiar with industry-specific jargon and commonly used expressions. This enables them to actively participate in discussions and meetings.

 

Improving written and oral communication

Targeted training helps your teams refine both verbal and written communication skills. They will learn to write emails, reports, and presentations in a clear, concise, and professional manner. A valuable skill for anyone who wants to learn French.

 

Avoiding cultural misunderstandings

Professional French training also includes modules on local customs and etiquette, helping your teams navigate cultural interactions smoothly and minimize risks of miscommunication.

 

Why mastering professional French is essential

Effective communication is crucial in a professional setting. Whether in meetings, contract negotiations, or daily exchanges with colleagues, mastering business-specific French expressions is essential to avoid misunderstandings and establish credibility.

Learning professional French allows your employees to:

  • Communicate confidently with French-speaking colleagues.
  • Better understand the cultural nuances and implicit expectations of the French business world.

 

The Speak’Pro method: tailored to your needs

The Speak’Pro Method offers customized courses tailored to your employees’ learning preferences and specific needs. Whether they are a beginner or looking to perfect their skills, Speak’Pro provides personalized support to help them learn French and reach their goals.


Courses focus on practical learning, with real-life scenarios, role-playing, and interactive exercises to prepare your employees for professional challenges. The goal is to get them up and running as quickly as possible.

 

In conclusion

Mastering expressions, acronyms, and French professional customs is essential for learning professional French. A course like the one offered by Speak’Pro is the best way to acquire these skills and ensure successful integration into the French business world.

Don’t wait—contact us today to find out how our method can meet your needs.

 

 

 

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