service public
masculine
The English phrase "public service" translates to French as service public.
service public refers to the general concept or the sector of services provided to the public by a government or official body. If you want to refer to a person working in this sector, you would use the term un agent du service public to mean a public servant.
Meaning: service provided to the general public by government or other official body (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of "public service", where service means service and public means public.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Canada, you might encounter the expression service gouvernemental.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word service is a masculine noun, so the definite article le is used to say "the public service" (le service public). To form the plural "public services", both the noun and the adjective must take an s to become services publics.
Did you know?
- The word service descends from the Latin servus, which actually meant 'slave'.
- The phrase service public is deeply tied to the French concept of 'Republican' values, implying that any person working within it must remain strictly neutral and treat all citizens equally.
- A délégation de service public is a specific legal arrangement where the French state allows a private company to manage a public service.
Examples in context
- Lorsque la confiance en nos institutions est faible, nous devrions réduire l'influence corrosive de l'argent dans notre politique, et insister sur les principes de transparence et d'éthique dans le service public.When trust in our institutions is low, we should reduce the corrosive influence of money in our politics, and insist on the principles of transparency and ethics in public service.This sentence is useful for discussing the need for transparency and ethics in service public.Tatoeba #5762331 by Thomz, translation #5761687 by Hybrid
- Le service public est essentiel pour garantir le bien-être des citoyens.Public service is essential to ensure the well-being of citizens.
- L'administration publique est chargée de superviser les services publics.The public administration is responsible for overseeing public services.
- La fonction publique offre des opportunités d'emploi stables et sécurisées.The public service provides stable and secure job opportunities.
- Il travaille dans le service public depuis dix ans.He has been working in the public service for ten years.
- Le service public est essentiel pour notre société.Public service is essential for our society.
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are discussing career paths at a café.
- LéaEst-ce que tu aimes ton travail dans le service public ?Do you like your job in the public service?
- NathanOui, je trouve que le service public est très gratifiant.Yes, I find the public service very rewarding.
- LéaC'est vrai, Nathan, c'est une belle carrière.It's true, Nathan, it's a beautiful career.
- NathanMerci, Léa, c'est un honneur de servir l'État.Thank you, Léa, it's an honor to serve the state.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “public service” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries public, service, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
