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.
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.
|
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 |
|
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 |
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:
These finance-related acronyms are also necessary to understand French:
And some key acronyms for roles and departments within a company necessary to understand when your employees learn French:
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!
Cultural context and customs play a crucial role in the business world. Misunderstanding expectations or norms can lead to miscommunications, or worse, irreparable errors.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Professional French training also includes modules on local customs and etiquette, helping your teams navigate cultural interactions smoothly and minimize risks of miscommunication.
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:
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.
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.