enseignement
/ɑ̃.sɛ.ɲ(ə).mɑ̃/masculine
The English word 'teaching' can be translated into French as enseignement.
enseignement refers to the profession of teaching. The activity that a teacher does when he/she teaches (noun).
Meaning: the profession of teaching, the activity that a teacher does when he/she teaches (noun)
Which one should you use?
Use enseignement to refer to the profession, the field or the system of teaching, rather than the specific act of a teacher instructing a student in a single moment.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to 'teaching' as a general concept or profession, it is almost always preceded by the definite article 'l’' (l'enseignement).
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables and is pronounced /ɑ̃.sɛ.ɲ(ə).mɑ̃/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers might mistakenly use the gerund enseignant (which means 'teacher') to mean 'teaching' (the activity). Use enseignement for the activity/profession instead.
Did you know?
- The word enseignement shares a root with the English word 'sign', as both come from the Latin 'signum', meaning a mark or sign used to teach.
- In a French school context, the 'teaching' of a specific subject is often called la discipline, which emphasizes the strict order and branch of knowledge over the act of instruction.
- While enseignement describes the act of teaching, the word pédagogie is used in French to describe the specific method or art of teaching a student.
Examples in context
- Il est allé dans l'enseignement.He went into teaching.This sentence shows how to express entering the teaching profession using enseignement.Tatoeba #4696111 by sacredceltic, translation #295366 by CK
- Il est actif dans l'enseignement.He is engaged in teaching.This sentence uses enseignement to describe being active within the field of teaching.Tatoeba #131851 by Micsmithel, translation #295332 by CM
- L'enseignement est un apprentissage.Teaching is learning.This sentence uses enseignement to express a philosophical idea about the nature of teaching.Tatoeba #10683095 by Micsmithel, translation #19137 by shekitten
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are discussing their career choices.
- ManonTu veux travailler dans l'enseignement ?Do you want to work in teaching?
- HugoOui, j'adore l'enseignement des langues.Yes, I love language teaching.
- ManonC'est un métier très difficile.It is a very difficult profession.
- HugoC'est vrai, mais c'est passionnant.That's true, but it's exciting.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “teaching” translations and entries enseignement, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries enseignement, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
