ressources humaines
/ʁə.suʁ.s‿y.mɛn/
The English phrase 'human resources' is translated into French as ressources humaines.
ressources humaines is the direct translation of 'human resources' and is commonly used in formal contexts. You may also encounter Service du personnel, which is a formal way to refer to the 'personnel department' or 'personnel services'. To refer to specific roles, you can use le responsable des ressources humaines for 'the HR manager' and l'assistante RH for 'the HR assistant'.
Meaning: the personnel department of an organization (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ressources humaines refers to the field or the concept, la direction des ressources humaines is the standard way to refer to the specific department or the management of that department.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is almost always used in the plural form in French.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ʁə.suʁ.s‿y.mɛn/. It consists of 4 syllables.
Did you know?
- In older French business contexts, you would find the term l'administration du personnel, which focuses more on the administrative processing of employees than on 'resources'.
- The phrase capital humain is sometimes used in French business circles to refer to the same concept, but it carries a more philosophical or economic weight than 'human resources'.
- In French administration, the head of this department is often called le DRH, which stands for directeur des ressources humaines.
Examples in context
- Transmets-le à la direction des ressources humaines et au responsable financier.Send it to human resources and to the head of finance.This sentence shows how to direct something to human resources and the head of finance using ressources humaines.Tatoeba #803989 by U2FS, translation #1152177 by belgavox
- département des ressources humainesHuman resources (department)This phrase uses ressources humaines to name the human resources department.
- Je travaille dans les ressources humaines.I work in human resources.
- J'ai une réunion prévue au service du personnel.I have a meeting scheduled at the personnel department.
- J'ai rencontré quelqu'un des RH aujourd'hui.I met someone from HR today.
- Je dois voir quelqu'un au service du personnel demain.I have to see someone at the personnel department tomorrow.
- Comment peut-on postuler pour un emploi dans les ressources humaines ?How can one apply for a job in human resources?
- Les politiques des ressources humaines doivent être respectées par tous les employés.HR policies must be followed by all employees.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are discussing a new job application at the office.
- GabrielOù se trouve le bureau des ressources humaines ?Where is the human resources office?
- LéaC'est au deuxième étage, Gabriel.It is on the second floor, Gabriel.
- GabrielMerci, je dois parler aux ressources humaines.Thanks, I need to speak with human resources.
- LéaJe t'accompagne si tu veux, Gabriel.I'll go with you if you want, Gabriel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “human resources” translations and entries ressources humaines, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
