comptable
/kɔ̃.tabl/masculine
The English word "accountant" is translated into French as comptable. If unsure, use comptable. Wiktionary also lists expert-comptable.
Meaning: one whose profession includes organizing, maintaining and auditing the records of another (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| expert-comptable | /ɛk.spɛʁ.kɔ̃.tabl/ | masculine |
| comptable | /kɔ̃.tabl/ | masculine |
The term refers to a person whose profession includes organizing, maintaining and auditing the records of another.
What does it mean word for word?
The word comptable is derived from the verb compter, which means to count or to keep accounts.
Which one should you use?
An expert-comptable is a higher-level, certified professional, whereas comptable is a general accountant.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word comptable is epicene, meaning it has the same form for both masculine and feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɔ̃.tabl/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The title expert-comptable is strictly protected by law in France, and using it without official certification can lead to criminal penalties.
- The English word 'computable' is a distant relative of comptable, as both stem from the Latin 'computare' meaning to calculate.
- In French, the verb compter sur quelqu'un means 'to rely on someone', which is a figurative use of the word for counting or calculating.
Examples in context
- Allô, le comptable est là ?Hello, is the accountant there, please?This sentence is useful for asking if the comptable is available.Tatoeba #14179 by Julien_PDC, translation #30976 by CN
- Tom ressemble à un comptable.Tom looks like an accountant.This sentence describes someone's appearance as being like a comptable.Tatoeba #5100963 by kamillel, translation #5096610 by CK
- Le comptable a truqué les comptes.The accountant cooked the books.This sentence describes an instance where a comptable manipulated accounts.Tatoeba #11251752 by lbdx, translation #7292489 by Hybrid
- Mon ami est comptable dans une grande entreprise.My friend is an accountant in a large company.
- Pour mes impôts, je préfère consulter un expert-comptable .For my taxes, I prefer to consult a certified public accountant.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan is at a job interview and discussing his career path.
- ManonNathan, quel est votre métier ?Nathan, what is your profession?
- NathanJe suis comptable depuis trois ans.I have been an accountant for three years.
- ManonC'est un travail très rigoureux.That is a very rigorous job.
- NathanOui, il faut être très organisé.Yes, you have to be very organized.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “accountant” translations and entries expert-comptable, comptable, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
