PDG
/pe.de.ʒe/
In French, the term for CEO is PDG.
PDG is used to refer to a Chief Executive Officer.
Meaning: chief executive officer (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
PDG is an abbreviation for Président-Directeur Général, which literally translates to 'President and General Director'.
Which one should you use?
While PDG implies that the individual holds both the roles of Chairman (Président) and CEO (Directeur Général), the term Directeur Général refers specifically to the executive role without necessarily implying they are the Chairman of the board.
How does it change in a sentence?
The acronym PDG can take the feminine article to become la PDG when referring to a female CEO.
How do you pronounce it?
/pe.de.ʒe/
Did you know?
- While it is an official title, you might hear someone use PDG jokingly to describe a friend who is being overly bossy or controlling in a social group. It serves as a way to tease someone for acting like a high-powered executive.
- While PDG is the standard term, French business culture often uses the English term 'CEO' in startups and tech firms to signal a global and modern corporate identity.
- If you are talking about a small business or a partnership rather than a large corporation, you will rarely hear PDG. Instead, the person in charge is almost always called a Gérant'.
Examples in context
- Le PDG vient de démissionner.The CEO has just resigned.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of PDG in the context of a resignation.Tatoeba #10676506 by AutoBot, translation #10676509 by AutoBot
- Le PDG a éludé la question embarrassante.The CEO parried the embarrassing question.This sentence shows how to use PDG when discussing how an executive handles a question.Tatoeba #12903281 by lbdx, translation #12903280 by AlanF_US
- C'est l'un des avantages de la fonction de PDG.That's one of the perks of being the CEO.This sentence demonstrates how to use PDG when discussing the advantages of the position.Tatoeba #9964970 by lbdx, translation #5239256 by Hybrid
- Le P.-D.G. de notre entreprise a pris une importante décision stratégique.The CEO of our company has made an important strategic decision.
- Notre D.G. a réussi à développer la société sur les marchés internationaux.Our CEO has succeeded in developing the company in international markets.
- Le chef d'entreprise a pris une décision risquée pour l'avenir de la société.The business leader took a risky decision for the future of the company.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma is asking Hugo about a professional update at work.
- HugoEst-ce que le PDG est arrivé ?Has the CEO arrived?
- EmmaOui, elle est dans la salle de réunion.Yes, she is in the meeting room.
- HugoC'est une excellente nouvelle pour nous.That is great news for us.
- EmmaHugo, prépare les documents pour elle.Hugo, prepare the documents for her.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ceo” translations and entries PDG, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
