entrepreneur
/ɑ̃.tʁə.pʁə.nœʁ/
The French word for contractor is entrepreneur.
A contractor is a person or company that constructs or improves buildings or structures.
Meaning: A person or company that constructs or improves buildings or structures (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, the term entrepreneur général is commonly used to refer to a contractor.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of the noun is entrepreneuse.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ɑ̃.tʁə.pʁə.nœʁ/. It has 4 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the anglicism contracteur instead of the correct French term entrepreneur when referring to a construction contractor.
Did you know?
- In some Francophone regions, a construction contractor might be called a maître d'œuvre, which translates to 'master of the work'.
- The word entrepreneur comes from the verb entreprendre, which literally means 'to undertake'.
- In a business context, an entrepreneur in French often refers more broadly to a business owner or founder, not just someone in construction.
Examples in context
- Tom a engagé un entrepreneur local pour rénover sa cuisine.Tom hired a local contractor to remodel his kitchen.This sentence is useful for seeing how to express hiring a local contractor for a renovation.Tatoeba #8942898 by lbdx, translation #3634090 by Hybrid
- Nous avons besoin des services d'un entrepreneur compétent pour notre projet immobilier.We need the services of a competent contractor for our real estate project.
- Le maître d'oeuvre s'assure de la bonne exécution des travaux de construction.The contractor ensures the proper execution of the construction work.
- L'entrepreneur a terminé les travaux de la terrasse.The contractor finished the terrace work.
- Nous devons trouver un entrepreneur pour le toit.We need to find a contractor for the roof.
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are discussing their house renovation.
- NathanEst-ce que tu as appelé l'entrepreneur ?Did you call the contractor?
- ChloéOui, cet entrepreneur est très professionnel.Yes, this contractor is very professional.
- NathanParfait, il doit venir demain pour le devis.Perfect, he must come tomorrow for the quote.
- ChloéD'accord, je lui ai dit de passer.Okay, I told him to stop by.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “contractor” translations and entries entrepreneur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries entrepreneur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
