What does it mean word for word?
Vous recrutez ? is a literal translation of "Are you recruiting?" using the verb recruter.
Which one should you use?
Adding Est-ce que to the beginning to form Est-ce que vous recrutez? makes the question sound more complete and slightly more formal than the clipped Vous recrutez ? For a more continuous sense of current action, you can use Êtes-vous en train de recruter? to mean "Are you currently hiring?" Other formal variations include asking about available positions with Y a-t-il des postes à pourvoir? or asking for information about openings with Pourriez-vous me renseigner sur d'éventuelles offres d'emploi? and Pourriez-vous, s'il vous plaît, me renseigner sur d'éventuelles offres d'emploi?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In formal settings, you can use Est-ce que vous recrutez?, Êtes-vous en train de recruter? or the more elaborate Pourriez-vous me renseigner sur d'éventuelles offres d'emploi? If you are speaking to a peer or in a very casual setting, you can use the informal Tu recrutes? or the informal C'est possible de trouver du travail ici?
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Canada, the formal way to ask if a business is hiring is Est-ce que vous engagez?
How does it change in a sentence?
You can use the singular informal form Tu recrutes ? if you are speaking to a peer or in a very casual setting, though Vous recrutez ? is the standard for business interactions.
Did you know?
- The French pronoun vous shares a common ancestor with the Italian voi and the Russian вы, all of which function as formal or plural 'you'.
- While vous is the standard for business, in certain French regions like Picardy, the word for 'you' can be shortened to the quite different sounding os.
- The word recruter comes from the same root as the English word 'recruit' and specifically refers to the act of filling a vacancy.
Examples in context
- Y a-t-il des postes à pourvoir dans le domaine de l'hôtellerie?Are there any positions available in the hotel industry?
- Vous recrutez ?Are you hiring?
Example conversation
Manon walks into a small cafe to ask about work.
- ManonBonjour, vous recrutez ?Hello, are you hiring?
- HugoBonjour ! Oui, nous cherchons un serveur.Hello! Yes, we are looking for a server.
- ManonC'est parfait, je suis très motivée.That is perfect, I am very motivated.
- HugoTrès bien, laissez-moi votre CV.Very well, leave me your CV.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vous, CC BY-SA 4.0.
