faute professionnelle
Malpractice in French is faute professionnelle.
The term refers to improper or unethical conduct by a professional or an official person.
Meaning: improper or unethical conduct by a professional or official person (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of faute (fault or error) and professionnelle (professional).
Which one should you use?
While English uses the single word 'malpractice' for professional misconduct, French typically uses the two-word phrase faute professionnelle.
Did you know?
- While faute professionnelle refers to misconduct, the word faute alone is used in sports to describe a 'foul' or a 'double fault' in tennis.
- The phrase faute professionnelle can be used ironically in casual French conversation to describe a silly mistake made by someone who should know better.
- French legal tradition distinguishes between a faute professionnelle and a faute lourde, the latter describing a mistake so gross it implies a total lack of professional competence.
Examples in context
- Le chirurgien a été inculpé de négligence professionnelle.The surgeon was charged with malpractice.
- Les avocats ont poursuivi l'entreprise pour faute professionnelle.Lawyers sued the company for malpractice.
- Son décès était dû à une faute médicale.His death was due to medical malpractice.
- Il a été licencié pour une faute professionnelle.He was fired for professional misconduct.
- L'avocat a commis une grave faute professionnelle.The lawyer committed serious professional malpractice.
- Elle doit répondre de sa faute professionnelle.She must answer for her professional misconduct.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are discussing a news report about a doctor.
- GabrielAs-tu lu l'article sur ce chirurgien ?Did you read the article about that surgeon?
- ManonOui, il a été condamné pour faute professionnelle.Yes, he was convicted of malpractice.
- GabrielC'est vraiment choquant pour un médecin.That is really shocking for a doctor.
- ManonC'est pour cela que les règles sont strictes.That is why the rules are strict.
