retraite
/ʁə.tʁɛt/feminine
In French, the word for retirement is retraite.
The noun retraite refers to the act of retiring or the state of being retired. When referring specifically to the state of being retired, this noun is almost always used with the definite article la (la retraite). Beyond the professional context of leaving a job, retraite also carries the meanings of a military retreat or a spiritual retreat.
Meaning: act of retiring, or the state of being retired (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that someone is 'retired', use the prepositional phrase à la retraite, such as in Il est à la retraite. If you want to describe the action of retiring, the standard verbal phrase is prendre sa retraite.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁə.tʁɛt/
Did you know?
- The military bugle call used to signal soldiers to return to their quarters is called la retraite, mirroring the professional act of withdrawing from the workforce.
- Because of the deep social and economic importance of la retraite, any government proposal to change the retirement age can trigger massive, country-wide strikes and national protests in France.
- In French, the word retraite can describe both a professional retirement and a silent meditation center, as both are viewed as a form of 'retreat' from the world.
Examples in context
- Avez-vous une retraite ?Do you have a retirement plan?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a retirement plan using retraite.Tatoeba #3793292 by sacredceltic, translation #3783184 by Hybrid
- Tom est à un an de la retraite.Tom is one year shy of retirement.This sentence is useful for describing someone being one year away from retirement using retraite.Tatoeba #11987483 by zogwarg, translation #8173706 by Hybrid
- Tu devrais penser à ta retraite.You should think about your retirement.This sentence is useful for advising someone to consider their retirement using retraite.Tatoeba #3364148 by Blabla, translation #3364236 by _undertoad
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are talking about their future plans.
- NathanJe veux voyager pendant ma retraite.I want to travel during my retirement.
- ManonC'est une excellente idée, Nathan.That is a great idea, Nathan.
- NathanEt toi, tu rêves de quoi pour ta retraite ?And you, what do you dream of for your retirement?
- ManonJe veux habiter au bord de la mer.I want to live by the seaside.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “retirement” translations and entries retraite, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
