quart de travail
The English phrase "work shift" is translated into French as quart de travail.
A work shift refers to the scheduled period of time during which an employee works. Depending on the professional context and the region, other terms like une équipe or une vacation may be used.
What does it mean word for word?
The term quart de travail is composed of the word quart, which literally means "quarter" or "part", referring to a specific portion of a 24-hour cycle.
Which one should you use?
While quart de travail is common in Canada, in France, une équipe or une vacation is often preferred depending on the specific industry.
Did you know?
- The word travail in quart de travail shares an etymological root with the word for 'torture', originating from the Late Latin 'tripālium', a device made of three stakes used for pain.
- The maritime tradition of dividing a watch into quarters is why quart is used for a shift. Sailors used this system to ensure someone was always awake and alert on deck.
- In many French professional settings, particularly in medicine or specialized industries, a shift is often called une vacation instead of un quart de travail.
Examples in context
- Quel est votre horaire de travail?What is your work shift?
- Je commence mon quart de travail à huit heures.I start my work shift at eight o'clock.
- Mon quart de travail se termine à dix-huit heures.My work shift ends at 6 p.m.
- Elle a un quart de travail très long demain.She has a very long work shift tomorrow.
- Est-ce que tu as fini ton quart de travail ?Have you finished your work shift?
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking at the end of the day at a café.
- HugoTu as terminé ton quart de travail ?Are you finished with your work shift?
- EmmaOui, je viens de finir mon quart de travail.Yes, I just finished my work shift.
- HugoC'est bien, Emma, tu as l'air fatiguée.That's good, Emma, you look tired.
- EmmaC'est vrai, Hugo, c'était une longue journée.True, Hugo, it was a long day.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, quart, travail, CC BY-SA 4.0.
