courbe d'apprentissage
/kuʁ.b(ə) d‿a.pʁɑ̃.ti.saʒ/
The phrase "learning curve" in French is courbe d'apprentissage.
This term is used as a measure of how much there is to learn in a restricted amount of time.
Meaning: measure of how much there is to learn in a restricted amount of time (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of courbe (curve) and d'apprentissage (of learning).
Which one should you use?
You may also encounter courbe de progression or courbe de montée en compétences to express the same concept in formal contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
/kuʁ.b(ə) d‿a.pʁɑ̃.ti.saʒ/
Did you know?
- The word courbe in courbe d'apprentissage shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'curb', as both stem from the Latin concept of something that is bent or turned.
- While English speakers often use 'learning curve' to describe the difficulty of a task, a French speaker might use the phrase pente raide (steep slope) to describe a similarly difficult challenge.
- The term apprentissage is closely related to the word apprendre (to learn), but in a technical sense, it is also the term used in French for 'machine learning' in artificial intelligence.
Examples in context
- Dans le domaine de l'éducation, il est important d'étudier la courbe d'apprentissage des élèves.In the field of education, it is important to study the students' learning curve.
- Le rapport de projet devrait inclure une analyse détaillée de la courbe de progression des employés.The project report should include a detailed analysis of the employees' learning curve.
- La courbe d'apprentissage est très raide pour ce nouveau logiciel.The learning curve is very steep for this new software.
- La courbe d'apprentissage est très raide pour ce logiciel.The learning curve is very steep for this software.
- Il y a une courbe d'apprentissage importante avec ce métier.There is a significant learning curve with this job.
- Sa courbe d'apprentissage est impressionnante en si peu de temps.His learning curve is impressive in such a short time.
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are starting a new project at work.
- ChloéEst-ce que tu maîtrises cet outil, Gabriel ?Do you have a handle on this tool, Gabriel?
- GabrielPas encore, la courbe d'apprentissage est longue.Not yet, the learning curve is long.
- ChloéJe peux t'aider si tu veux.I can help you if you want.
- GabrielC'est gentil, merci Chloé !That's kind, thanks Chloé!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry courbe d'apprentissage, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries courbe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
