travaux en cours
The French phrase for "work in progress" is travaux en cours.
Depending on the context, you might also use projet en développement to mean a project in development or en chantier to indicate that something is under construction or on-site.
Meaning: project (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase travaux en cours is composed of travaux (the plural of travail, meaning works or jobs), en (in) and cours (course or progress).
Which one should you use?
While travaux en cours is the standard plural form used for construction or general projects, you can use the singular travail en cours when referring to a single specific task or piece of work. In the context of physical construction, a speaker might also simply use the noun chantier to refer to the work site itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural travaux en cours is the standard way to describe projects or construction, but the singular travail en cours is available for a single specific task.
Did you know?
- If you describe a person's life or a relationship as being en chantier, you are implying it is in a state of total upheaval or chaotic reorganization rather than steady, positive progress.
- On French roads, the sign travaux en cours is almost always paired with the word déviation, which tells drivers they must take a detour.
- The word cours in travaux en cours shares its linguistic roots with the English word 'course', both descending from the Latin 'cursus' which describes a running or a path.
Examples in context
- Le rapport que je vous présente aujourd'hui est un exemple de travaux en cours dans notre équipe de recherche.The report I'm presenting to you today is an example of work in progress within our research team.
- Mon projet de livre est encore en chantier, mais j'espère le terminer bientôt.My book project is still a work in progress, but I hope to finish it soon.
- Je suis en train de travailler sur mon projet d'art.I'm in the process of working on my art project.
- Le projet de loi est en cours de réalisation et sera bientôt présenté au Parlement.The bill is a work in progress and will soon be presented to the Parliament.
- Mon roman est un ouvrage en devenir, je l'améliore constamment avant de le publier.My novel is a work in progress, I'm constantly improving it before publishing it.
- Il y a des travaux en cours dans la rue.There are works in progress in the street.
- Attention, travaux en cours sur la voie de droite.Caution, works in progress on the right lane.
- Le panneau indique des travaux en cours.The sign indicates works in progress.
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are driving through the city.
- ChloéRegarde, il y a des travaux en cours ici.Look, there are works in progress here.
- LucasAh oui, c'est pour la nouvelle piste cyclable.Ah yes, it is for the new bike lane.
- ChloéLucas, on devrait prendre un autre chemin.Lucas, we should take another way.
- LucasTu as raison, la circulation est très lente.You are right, the traffic is very slow.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cours, en, CC BY-SA 4.0.
