noun
le travail
work
Activité qu’une personne fait pour produire quelque chose ou pour gagner de l’argent.
Definition & meaning
The word travail is a fundamental noun in French with several related meanings:
- Labor or employment: The activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a result, often as a means of earning money (a job or profession).
- Task or project: A specific piece of work to be done or undertaken (e.g., homework or a professional assignment).
- Effort: The exertion of energy or time toward a specific goal.
- Mechanism (archaic or specialized): In historical or technical contexts, it can refer to a frame or apparatus used to restrain large animals (like horses) for shoeing or medical care.
Grammar & Word origin
- Grammar: It is a masculine noun. Its plural form is travaux .
- Word origin: It derives from the Vulgar Latin tripalium, which was an instrument of torture made of three stakes. This etymology highlights the historical perception of work as a form of suffering or painful effort.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- Emploi (employment/job)
- Boulot (informal term for job)
- Ouvrage (work or piece of craft)
- Besogne (task or chore)
- Tâche (task)
Antonyms:
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Examples
Elle parle souvent de son travail.noun
She often talks about her work.
Pierre aime son travail.noun
Pierre likes his work.
Mon frère a fini son travail tôt aujourd’hui.noun
My brother finished his work early today.
Le travail commence à huit heures du matin.noun
Work starts at eight o'clock in the morning.
Le travail est très important pour la société.noun
Work is very important for society.
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