French for Work: Why It's Different From Classroom French

Professional French in a Canadian workplace blends formal register with Québécois expressions and office culture norms that no textbook fully prepares you for. This guide covers the phrases that will make you sound confident and competent from your very first week.

Starting the Workday

Bonjour à tous / Bonjour tout le monde. — Good morning everyone. (for group settings)
Comment s'est passé ton weekend ? — How was your weekend? (informal, tu)
On a une réunion à 10h. — We have a meeting at 10.
Je suis en télétravail aujourd'hui. — I'm working from home today.
Je serai absent(e) demain. — I'll be absent tomorrow.

In Meetings

On peut commencer ? — Shall we get started?
Je vous cède la parole. — I'll hand it over to you. (formal)
Pouvez-vous clarifier ce point ? — Could you clarify that point?
Pour faire le point… — To summarise / to take stock…
Je suis d'accord avec vous. — I agree with you.
Je me permets de nuancer… — I'd like to add a nuance… (to disagree diplomatically)
On va mettre ça en veilleuse. — Let's put that on the back burner. (Québécois expression)
Qu'est-ce qu'on retient comme prochaines étapes ? — What do we take away as next steps?

Email and Written Communication

Suite à notre échange… — Following our discussion…
Veuillez trouver ci-joint… — Please find attached…
Je me permets de relancer… — I'm following up on…
Dans l'attente de votre retour… — Looking forward to hearing from you…
Cordialement, — Best regards, (standard professional sign-off)
Merci de votre diligence. — Thank you for your prompt attention.

Talking About Tasks and Deadlines

C'est pour quand ? — When is this due?
Je m'en occupe. — I'll take care of it.
On est dans les délais ? — Are we on schedule?
On a pris du retard. — We're behind schedule.
Je vais prioriser ça. — I'll prioritise that.
C'est dans mes cordes. — That's within my capabilities.

Asking for Help Professionally

Est-ce que tu aurais un moment pour m'aider ? — Do you have a moment to help me?
Je ne suis pas sûr(e) de bien comprendre la procédure. — I'm not sure I fully understand the procedure.
Pourrais-tu me montrer comment faire ? — Could you show me how to do this?

Uniquely Québécois Workplace Terms to Know

Un(e) collègue de bureau — An office colleague (preferred over "co-worker")
Magasiner des options — To shop around for options (to explore alternatives)
Plancher sur quelque chose — To work hard on something
Bonne journée / Bonne fin de journée ! — Have a good day / Have a good rest of the day!

Want to build exam-ready vocabulary around this topic? Check out our TCF vocabulary lists.

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