French word

travailler

Pronunciation

IPA/tʁavaje/

Meaning

  • verbwork

Example

Je travaille dans un bureau.

I work in an office.

Illustration for travailler (work)

More examples

À l'école, nous travaillons en équipe sur un projet de sciences.

At school, we work as a team on a science project.

Je travaille à domicile deux jours par semaine.

I work from home two days a week.

Core concept

A person engaged in sustained effort to accomplish something with the body or mind.

Common phrases

  • travailler à plein temps

    work full-time

  • travailler à domicile

    work from home

  • travailler sur un projet

    work on a project

Similar words

bosser: To put in long hours or considerable effort at work, informally.
gagner: To receive money or compensation as the result of work or activity.

Definition in French

Effectuer une activité professionnelle ou non rémunérée en fournissant un effort physique ou intellectuel.

Word origin

The verb travailler developed in Old French from an older word associated with toil and hardship, and its meaning broadened to work in general.

Usage tips

  • Travailler comme médecin names a profession, whereas travailler chez Michelin names the employer; travailler pour Michelin can also mean working for that company.

Opposites

  • chômerbe unemployedverb
  • paresserlazeverb

Related words

  • travailworknoun
  • travailleusefemale workernoun

Word lists with this word