compte rendu
/kɔ̃t ʁɑ̃.dy/
In French, the phrase for minutes of meeting is compte rendu.
compte rendu is the standard term used to describe the written record of what was discussed and decided during a meeting. Beyond specific meeting minutes, it can also refer to a general report or a summary of an event.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally an "account rendered" or "reported account".
Which one should you use?
While compte rendu is the standard term, le procès-verbal de la réunion is a formal alternative used for more official records. In relaxed or informal settings, you might hear the shortened le compte-rendu de la réu or the shortcut le PV (procès-verbal) de la réu.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɔ̃t ʁɑ̃.dy/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use procès-verbal for all types of meeting minutes. However, procès-verbal is typically reserved for more formal, legal or official administrative records, whereas compte rendu is the standard term for general meeting minutes.
Did you know?
- While procès-verbal refers to formal meeting minutes, the shortened PV is also the standard term for a police report or a traffic ticket in France.
- The phrase compte rendu is also used by French film critics to describe a 'review' or a summary of a film's plot and quality.
- The word compte in this phrase shares a common ancestor with the English word 'count', both stemming from the Latin 'computare' meaning to calculate or settle an account.
Examples in context
- J'ai envoyé le compte rendu par e-mail.I sent the minutes by email.
- Voulez-vous lire le compte rendu de la réunion ?Do you want to read the minutes of the meeting?
- Le compte rendu est très détaillé.The minutes are very detailed.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking in the office.
- LucasLéa, as-tu fini le compte rendu ?Léa, have you finished the minutes?
- LéaPas encore, Lucas. Je le termine maintenant.Not yet, Lucas. I am finishing them now.
- LucasPeux-tu me l'envoyer avant midi ?Can you send them to me before noon?
- LéaOui, je t'envoie ça tout de suite.Yes, I'll send them to you right away.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry compte rendu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries compte, compte rendu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
