j'ai travaillé
The English phrase "I worked" is translated into French as j'ai travaillé.
j'ai travaillé is used to describe a completed action in the past. You can use j'ai travaillé comme… to specify the type of work you performed. In more formal contexts, if you are discussing a specific occupation, you might say J'ai exercé une profession (I practiced a profession) or use J'ai occupé un poste dans… (I occupied a position in…).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally composed of je (I), ai (have) and travaillé (worked), which forms the passé composé.
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, the passé composé j'ai travaillé can be used to express both the simple past "I worked" and the present perfect "I have worked" depending on the context.
Did you know?
- The verb 'travailler' is related to the word 'tripalium', a Latin name for an ancient torture device consisting of three stakes. This suggests the heavy, painful physical toil historically associated with work.
- The word travailler is a linguistic relative of the English word 'travail', which refers to the painful effort of childbirth.
- In casual French, if you want to say you are working very hard or 'grinding', you might hear the slang term 'bosser'. You could say j'ai bossé instead of j'ai travaillé.
Examples in context
- J'ai travaillé très dur.I worked very hard.This sentence is useful for describing the intensity of your work using j'ai travaillé.Tatoeba #2397299 by sacredceltic, translation #5859678 by CK
- J'ai travaillé ce matin.I worked this morning.This sentence uses j'ai travaillé to indicate the time of day the work occurred.Tatoeba #5395703 by pititnatole, translation #3822245 by CK
- J'ai travaillé à Boston.I worked in Boston.This sentence uses j'ai travaillé to specify a location.Tatoeba #6914954 by Aiji, translation #2280324 by CK
- J'ai travaillé comme serveur/seI worked as a waiter/waitress
- J'ai travaillé pendant cinq ans dans le domaine de la finance.I worked for five years in the finance industry
- J'ai bossé dans cette entreprise avant d'être promu(e) au poste de directeur.I worked in this company before being promoted to the position of manager
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are talking about their day.
- ManonJ'ai travaillé toute la journée.I worked all day.
- NathanC'est fatigant, non ?It's tiring, isn't it?
- ManonOui, Nathan, je suis épuisée.Yes, Nathan, I am exhausted.
- NathanRepose-toi bien ce soir.Rest well tonight.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries j'ai, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
