French Conversation · Level 144
30 words
French word
fonctionnaire
Pronunciation
IPA/fɔ̃ksjonɛʁ/
Meaning
- noun (m./f.)civil servant
Example
Elle est fonctionnaire depuis dix ans.
She has been a civil servant for ten years.
More examples
Mon frère travaille comme fonctionnaire à la mairie.
My brother works as a civil servant at city hall.
Core concept
A public-service employee whose established role continues from year to year.
Common phrases
être fonctionnaire
to be a civil servant
un fonctionnaire
a civil servant
fonctionnaire municipal
municipal civil servant
Similar words
agent de l'État: A person who belongs to a state agency and carries out public duties.
employé: A worker hired by an organization.
salarié: A paid worker who receives wages or a salary.
agent public: A public-sector worker responsible for carrying out official duties.
Definition in French
Personne qui occupe un emploi permanent au service d'une administration publique.
Word origin
The noun derives from French fonction meaning function or duty and the occupational suffix -aire, with fonction tracing back to Latin functio.
Usage tips
- Fonctionnaire is usually a neutral occupational term, while English official can suggest an authority figure rather than simply a public employee.
Other meanings
- officialnoun
Opposites
- employé du privéprivate-sector employeenoun
- salarié du privéprivate-sector wage earnernoun
Related words
- fonctionfunctionnoun
- fonctionnerfunctionverb
- fonctionnelfunctionaladjective