votre spécialité
In French, "your major" is translated as votre spécialité.
This phrase refers to the main subject that a student studies at a college or university. In many French university contexts, people may use the word filière to refer to their specific course of study or academic track instead of spécialité.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the possessive adjective votre (your) and the noun spécialité (specialty/specialization).
Which one should you use?
You can also use more formal constructions to express your major, such as Je suis spécialisé(e) en… (I am majoring in…) or Mon domaine d'études est… (My field of study is…).
How does it change in a sentence?
Use ta spécialité instead of votre spécialité when speaking to a fellow student or someone you know well.
Did you know?
- The word spécialité is used in French to describe both an academic major and a culinary specialty, such as a regional dish.
- While English speakers use 'major' as a verb, French speakers almost always use the noun spécialité or the phrase faire des études en… to express the same idea.
- In France, students often describe their major by naming the licence (undergraduate degree) they are pursuing, rather than using the word spécialité.
Examples in context
- Quelle est votre spécialité ?What's your major?This sentence is useful for asking someone what their major is using votre spécialité.Tatoeba #2083312 by sacredceltic, translation #24685 by CK
- Je suis spécialisé(e) en économie.I am majoring in economics.
- Je suis spécialisé(e) en droit international.I am majoring in international law.
- Je suis spécialisé(e) en littérature française.I am majoring in French literature.
- Mon domaine d'études est la psychologie.My field of study is psychology.
- Mon domaine d'études est les sciences politiques.My field of study is political science.
- Mon domaine d'études est le génie mécanique.My field of study is mechanical engineering.
- Je fais des études en gestion.I'm studying management.
- Je fais des études en marketing.I'm studying marketing.
- Je fais des études en architecture d'intérieur.I'm studying interior architecture.
- Je me spécialise en informatique.I specialize in computer science.
- Je me spécialise en cuisine.I specialize in culinary arts.
- Je me spécialise en communication.I specialize in communication.
- Votre spécialité est l'informatique ?Is your major computer science?
- Je ne connais pas votre spécialité.I do not know your major.
Example conversation
Two students meet for the first time at a university event.
- NathanBonjour, je m'appelle Nathan. Et vous ?Hello, my name is Nathan. And you?
- ChloéEnchantée, je suis Chloé. Quelle est votre spécialité ?Nice to meet you, I'm Chloé. What is your major?
- NathanJe suis en économie.I am in economics.
- ChloéC'est super, moi je fais du droit.That's great, I'm doing law.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
