Vocabulary: jobs, work and future plans

Jobs, the world of work and how to talk about your plans after school.

Practise this lesson free (7 questions)

Jobs

No article with a job after être: Ma mère est infirmière.
FrenchEnglish
le médecindoctor
l'infirmier, l'infirmièrenurse
l'avocat(e)lawyer
l'ingénieur(e)engineer
le / la journalistejournalist
le vendeur, la vendeuseshop assistant
le serveur, la serveusewaiter, waitress
le mécanicien, la mécaniciennemechanic
le boulanger, la boulangèrebaker
le facteur, la factricepostman, postwoman
le plombierplumber
l'électricien(ne)electrician
le / la comptableaccountant
l'agriculteur, l'agricultricefarmer

The world of work

Je travaille à temps partiel dans un café. = I work part-time in a café.
FrenchEnglish
l'entreprise (f)company, business
le bureauoffice
l'usine (f)factory
le salairesalary, wages
gagnerto earn
bien payé(e)well paid
mal payé(e)badly paid
le client, la clientecustomer
à temps partielpart-time
le petit boulotpart-time job
le stagework experience placement
l'apprentissage (m)apprenticeship
le chômage (H)unemployment
faire du bénévolatto do voluntary work

Future plans

J'ai l'intention de + infinitive = I intend to. J'espère + infinitive (no de) = I hope to.
FrenchEnglish
l'avenir (m)the future
la carrièrecareer
l'université (f)university
les études (f)studies
l'étudiant(e)student
le diplômequalification, degree
la formationtraining
l'entretien (m) (H)interview
poser sa candidatureto apply (for a job)
avoir l'intention deto intend to
espérerto hope
devenirto become
voyagerto travel
Worked example

Translate: I would like to become a nurse because the job is useful, even if it is badly paid.

  1. I would like to become = je voudrais devenir
  2. a nurse = infirmier / infirmière (no article)
  3. badly paid = mal payé

Answer: Je voudrais devenir infirmière parce que le métier est utile, même s'il est mal payé.

Key idea

Le médecin, l'infirmier / l'infirmière, l'avocat, l'ingénieur, le vendeur, le serveur, le comptable. L'entreprise, l'usine, le salaire, gagner, bien / mal payé, à temps partiel, le stage, le bénévolat. L'avenir, la carrière, l'université, le diplôme, la formation, poser sa candidature.

Key words
médecin
doctor
gagner
to earn
l'université
university

All GCSE and International GCSE French key terms and definitions →

Common mistakes
Quick check

Try two quick questions

See if it has sunk in. Answers are marked straight away.

Extra practice

2 more questions

Try each one, then tap to check.

  1. What does le boulanger, la boulangère mean?

    1. baker
    2. lawyer
    3. shop assistant
    4. electrician
    Show the answer

    Answer: baker

    Le boulanger = baker.

  2. Which is the French for "nurse"?

    1. le / la comptable
    2. le / la journaliste
    3. l'infirmier, l'infirmière
    4. le mécanicien
    Show the answer

    Answer: l'infirmier, l'infirmière

    Nurse = l'infirmier.

Check you have got it

Answer 7 quick questions with instant marking. If you get one wrong, GCSE-ready shows you why and gives you another go. It is free, and you do not need an account.

Practise this lesson free (7 questions)All GCSE and International GCSE French lessons

Video for this lesson coming soon. Subscribe on YouTube

Sources and references

Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.

Related lessons