journaliste
/ʒuʁ.na.list/feminine, masculine
The English word 'journalist' is translated into French as journaliste.
journaliste is the most common and straightforward way to refer to someone whose profession is journalism. For a journalist who focuses specifically on news reporting, you can also use the term reporter.
Meaning: one whose occupation or profession is journalism (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, a journalist who writes opinion pieces or regular columns may be referred to as a chroniqueur or chroniqueuse.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun journaliste is epicene, which means the spelling of the word itself remains the same for both masculine and feminine subjects. To specify the gender of the journalist, you change the article: use un journaliste for a male journalist and une journaliste for a female journalist. Note that when stating one's profession after the verb être, the indefinite article is often omitted, such as in the phrase être journaliste.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʒuʁ.na.list/
Did you know?
- In France, the status of journaliste is legally protected. To be officially recognized as a professional journalist, one often needs to be registered with a specific professional union or hold a recognized press card.
- French media often distinguishes between journaliste and pigiste, the latter being a freelancer paid by the piece, which carries a distinct socio-economic connotation in the industry.
- The root of journaliste is the word jour, meaning 'day'. This reflects the historical origin of a 'journal' as a daily record of events.
Examples in context
- Tu es un bon journaliste.You're a good journalist.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of the adjective with journaliste.Tatoeba #4277033 by guboub, translation #4275683 by pinkfreud
- Tom était un journaliste.Tom was a journalist.This sentence shows how to use the imperfect tense with journaliste.Tatoeba #7373062 by tras, translation #7367756 by CK
- Je voulais être journaliste.I wanted to be a journalist.This sentence demonstrates the omission of the article when expressing a desired profession.Tatoeba #6743362 by Aiji, translation #2049761 by CK
- Marie est une journaliste très respectée.Marie is a highly respected journalist.
- Paul est rédacteur pour un grand journal économique.Paul is a writer for a major financial newspaper.
- Le reporter est en route pour couvrir l'événement.The reporter is on their way to cover the event.
- Le journaliste canadien a rapporté les dernières nouvelles du Québec.The Canadian journalist reported the latest news from Quebec.
- Cette chroniqueuse est réputée pour ses prises de position tranchantes.This columnist is renowned for her outspoken opinions.
- 36 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are discussing their careers at a café.
- HugoQuel est ton métier, Chloé ?What is your job, Chloé?
- ChloéJe suis journaliste pour un grand journal.I am a journalist for a large newspaper.
- HugoC'est passionnant, moi je suis journaliste aussi.That's exciting, I am a journalist too.
- ChloéAh bon ? Quel est ton domaine ?Oh really? What is your field?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “journalist” translations and entries journaliste, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries journaliste, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
