French for Work: Professional Vocabulary & Business Communication Guide
Why Business French Is Different
Professional French has formal registers, specific vocabulary, and unwritten rules. A mistake in casual conversation is forgivable. A mistake in a business email or meeting? It damages credibility.
Good news: Business French is predictable and formulaic. Once you master the patterns, you're 80% of the way there.
Professional Email Phrases (15 Essential Formulas)
Openings:
- Madame, Monsieur, - Formal (unknown recipient)
- Chère Madame, Cher Monsieur, - Formal with warmth
- Madame, Monsieur [Lastname], - If you know their name
- J'espère que vous allez bien. - I hope you're well (friendly opening)
Purpose Statements:
- Je vous écris pour... - I'm writing to...
- Suite à votre demande... - Following your request...
- Je vous contacte au sujet de... - I'm contacting you about...
Closing Phrases:
- Cordialement, - Cordially (most common formal closing)
- Bien cordialement, - Warm formal closing
- Meilleures salutations, - Best regards (also formal)
- En vous remerciant, - Thanking you in advance
Core Business Vocabulary (50 Terms)
| English | French | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting | Réunion | La réunion est à 14h |
| Deadline | Délai / Échéance | Quel est le délai? |
| Budget | Budget | Le budget est approuvé |
| Contract | Contrat | Signer le contrat |
| Invoice | Facture | Envoyer la facture |
| Project | Projet | Le projet progresse bien |
| Report | Rapport | Préparer le rapport |
| Client | Client | Le client est satisfait |
| Colleague | Collègue | Mon collègue travaille bien |
| Department | Département / Service | Le département marketing |
Meeting Phrases (20 Essential)
- Commençons la réunion. - Let's start the meeting
- Quel est l'ordre du jour? - What's the agenda?
- Je propose que nous discutions de... - I suggest we discuss...
- Êtes-vous d'accord? - Do you agree?
- Pouvez-vous clarifier ce point? - Can you clarify this point?
- Passons au point suivant. - Let's move to the next point
- Nous devons fixer un délai. - We need to set a deadline
- Qui est responsable? - Who is responsible?
How to Write a Professional Email (Template)
Subject: Demande de réunion - [Topic]
Body Template:
10-Week Professional French Mastery
Week 1-2: Professional email templates + formulas
Week 3-4: Business vocabulary (50 core terms)
Week 5-6: Meeting phrases + conversation
Week 7-8: Negotiation & persuasion language
Week 9-10: Mock meetings with tutor
Bottom Line
Professional French is learnable. Master email formulas, core vocabulary, and meeting phrases. Practice with a business-focused tutor. In 10 weeks, you'll communicate with confidence in the French workplace.
Want to build exam-ready vocabulary around this topic? Check out our TCF vocabulary lists.