Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| gestion | /ʒɛs.tjɔ̃/ | feminine |
| administration | /ad.mi.nis.tʁa.sjɔ̃/ | feminine |
| gérance | /ʒe.ʁɑ̃s/ | feminine |
| direction | /di.ʁɛk.sjɔ̃/ | feminine |
The French language uses different terms for management depending on whether you are discussing a process, a group of people or a legal role.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the specific nuance of management you wish to convey. Use gestion when referring to the process, technique or the act of managing resources or a business. Use direction when referring to the people in charge, such as the leadership body or the group of people who run a company. Use administration to refer to an organizational structure or the management of public and governmental affairs. Finally, use gérance specifically in the context of legal or commercial stewardship, such as the management of a business.
How does it change in a sentence?
All these forms are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʒɛs.tjɔ̃/
What mistakes should you avoid?
While the English loanword management is sometimes used in French business jargon to describe a specific leadership style, it should not be used as a direct translation for the general concepts of administration or gestion.
Did you know?
- The word gestion shares a common ancestor with the English word 'gesticulating', as both relate to the Latin 'gestus' or 'gestio' meaning 'to carry out or perform'.
- A gérant is a manager, but in French law, this role carries specific liability that a general directeur might not have.
- The word administration is used for government management, but calling a small business office l'administration can sound overly bureaucratic or cold.
Examples in context
- Je suis conseiller en gestion.I'm a management consultant.This sentence is useful for identifying a profession in the field of gestion.Tatoeba #1087136 by sacredceltic, translation #252242 by CK
- Je souhaite me plaindre à la direction.I want to make a complaint to the management.This sentence shows how to use direction when making a complaint.Tatoeba #3673212 by sacredceltic, translation #3109417 by CK
- Le syndicat a négocié avec la direction.The union bargained with the management.This sentence illustrates using direction in the context of negotiations with leadership.Tatoeba #7435382 by Micsmithel, translation #273961 by CK
- gestion d'entrepriseBusiness management
- gestion des ressources humainesHuman resources management
- directeur généralGeneral manager
- directeur des opérationsOperations manager
- administration des affairesBusiness administration
- administration publiquePublic administration
- le management d'équipeTeam management
- le management participatifParticipative management
- Gérer un projetTo manage a project
- Diriger une équipeTo lead/manage a team
- Assurer la supervisionSupervising/overseeing
- Gestion efficaceEfficient management
- Gestion participativeParticipatory management
- Gestion stratégiqueStrategic management
- Gestion proactiveProactive management
- Prendre les rênesTo take the reins
- Avoir le sens des affairesTo have a business sense
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are discussing a new project at work.
- ChloéQuelle est ta méthode de gestion ?What is your management method?
- HugoJ'utilise un logiciel très simple.I use a very simple software.
- ChloéHugo, ta gestion semble très efficace.Hugo, your management seems very efficient.
- HugoMerci, c'est gentil de ta part.Thanks, that is kind of you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “management” translations and entries gestion, administration, gérance, direction, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries administration, direction, gestion, gérance, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
