burn-out
masculine
Burnout in French is burn-out, and the clinical term is syndrome d’épuisement professionnel. If unsure, use burn-out. Wiktionary also lists surmenage.
Meaning: experience of long-term exhaustion (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| burn-out | masculine | |
| surmenage | /syʁ.mə.naʒ/ | masculine |
| syndrome d’épuisement professionnel | masculine |
The English loanword burn-out is common in everyday French for long-term exhaustion linked to work.
Which one should you use?
burn-out is the everyday word. surmenage is a standard term for exhaustion caused by overwork, used in more general and less clinical contexts. syndrome d’épuisement professionnel is the clinical term used in medical and official settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
All three are masculine nouns, so you say un burn-out. To say someone had a burnout, French uses the verb faire rather than have, as in faire un burn-out.
Did you know?
- In French medical circles, burn-out is often distinguished from bore-out, a term used to describe exhaustion caused by chronic boredom and a lack of meaningful tasks at work.
- The formal term syndrome d’épuisement professionnel uses the word épuisement, which comes from the idea of a well being 'pumped dry' or emptied of all its water.
- In a professional French context, using the English loanword burn-out can actually sound more modern or 'trendy' than the traditional French surmenage, which can feel slightly old-fashioned.
Examples in context
- L'épuisement professionnel est un phénomène fréquent dans les milieux de travail modernes.Burnout is a frequent phenomenon in modern work environments.
- Il est proche du burn-out.He is close to a burnout.
- Son burn-out a été très difficile.His burnout was very difficult.
- Elle veut éviter le burn-out.She wants to avoid burnout.
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are talking at a cafe about work.
- LéaTu as l'air fatigué, Gabriel.You look tired, Gabriel.
- GabrielOui, je crains de faire un burn-out.Yes, I am afraid of experiencing a burnout.
- LéaTu devrais prendre des vacances.You should take a vacation.
- GabrielTu as raison, Léa.You are right, Léa.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “burnout” translations and entries surmenage, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
