service militaire obligatoire
The English phrase 'military draft' is translated into French as service militaire obligatoire.
service militaire obligatoire refers to a system where a government requires citizens to serve in the armed forces. You can also use the noun conscription to express this concept. In casual conversation, French speakers often shorten the phrase to le service militaire.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase service militaire obligatoire literally translates to 'obligatory military service'.
When do people say it?
To describe the experience of being drafted, French speakers commonly use the idiomatic expression être appelé sous les drapeaux, which literally means 'to be called under the flags'.
Did you know?
- Even though the draft is currently suspended, France introduced the Journée Défense et Citoyenneté, a one-day mandatory 'citizenship day' for young people.
- The word service shares its root with the English word 'servant' and the Latin servus, meaning 'slave'.
- In French culture, the term service militaire often triggers discussions about le contingent, a word for the specific group of recruits drafted in a single year.
Examples in context
- Le service militaire obligatoire a été supprimé.The military draft was abolished.
- Certains pays maintiennent le service militaire obligatoire.Some countries maintain the military draft.
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are discussing history in a café.
- NathanEst-ce que le service militaire obligatoire existait avant ?Did the military draft exist before?
- ManonOui, c'était très courant en France.Yes, it was very common in France.
- NathanC'était une période difficile pour les jeunes hommes.It was a difficult time for young men.
- ManonC'est vrai, c'était une obligation pour eux.That's true, it was an obligation for them.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries militaire, obligatoire, service, CC BY-SA 4.0.
