travail
/tʁa.vaj/masculine
The English word 'labour' is translated into French as travail. Wiktionary also lists effort.
Meaning: work (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| travail | /tʁa.vaj/ | masculine |
| effort | /e.fɔʁ/ | masculine |
The term refers to work or labour as a concept or activity. If you need to describe the person performing the labour, you can use the masculine noun travailleur or the feminine noun travailleuse.
Which one should you use?
While travail is the standard word for work or labour, effort is used to specifically refer to the exertion or the physical and mental strain involved in a task.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun travail is masculine and is used with the masculine articles le or un.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /tʁa.vaj/.
Did you know?
- The French word for 'work', travail, traces its roots back to a Latin word for a torture device consisting of three stakes. Historically, the concept of 'labour' was more closely linked to physical suffering and pain than to productive activity.
- In French, the term travail can be used to describe the specific process of childbirth. This usage mirrors the English word 'labour' in a way that the general meaning of 'employment' does not.
- French uses the verb travailler for both 'to work' and 'to study'. A student saying je travaille is often referring to their homework rather than a paid job.
Examples in context
- Le travail a créé l'homme.Labour created man.Tatoeba #5223324 by sicerabibax, translation #7119630 by Thanuir
- Le système consistant à faire travailler dans les plantations des gens réduits à l'esclavage a été aboli aux Pays-Bas en 1863.The plantation slave labour system was abolished in the Netherlands in 1863.Tatoeba #12031637 by Rovo, translation #12330801 by Objectivesea
- Le parti travailliste a tenté de surpasser les conservateurs en matière de cruauté envers les personnes trans, mais cela ne leur a pas rapporté le moindre bénéfice dans les sondages.Labour has tried to one-up the Tories on cruelty to trans people, yet it has not benefited them even a smidgen in the polls.Tatoeba #13395469 by Rovo, translation #13394702 by rul
- Je suis au travail depuis ce matin.I have been at work since this morning.
- Le travail occupe la majorité de mon temps.Work occupies the majority of my time.
- Le travail d'équipe est essentiel pour la réussite du projet.Teamwork is essential for the project's success.
- J'ai un boulot intéressant dans une entreprise de technologie.I have an interesting job in a technology company.
- J'aime bien mon boulot, même si parfois c'est fatigant.I like my job, even if it's tiring sometimes.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are talking about their daily routines.
- ManonTu aimes ton travail ?Do you like your work?
- GabrielOui, mais c'est parfois difficile.Yes, but it is sometimes difficult.
- ManonJe comprends, mon travail est fatigant aussi.I understand, my work is tiring too.
- GabrielBon courage pour ta journée !Good luck with your day!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “labour” translations and entries travail, effort, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries effort, travail, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
