Bedeutung
To refuse to work as a protest.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Striking is considered a 'national sport'. It is a constitutional right and often the first step in negotiations rather than the last. While also French-speaking, the culture of striking is slightly different, often influenced by North American labor laws, though student strikes (grèves étudiantes) are very famous there. Strikes are common in Belgium as well, often involving 'fronts communs' where different unions work together. Strikes are much rarer in Switzerland due to a tradition of 'paix du travail' (labor peace) where conflicts are resolved through mediation.
Use it for transport
If your train is late in France, check the screens for the word 'Grève'—it's the most common reason!
Don't say 'Prendre'
Avoid saying 'prendre la grève'. It's a common English mistake. Stick to 'faire'.
Bedeutung
To refuse to work as a protest.
Use it for transport
If your train is late in France, check the screens for the word 'Grève'—it's the most common reason!
Don't say 'Prendre'
Avoid saying 'prendre la grève'. It's a common English mistake. Stick to 'faire'.
Humor is key
Use 'faire la grève de...' for chores to sound more like a native and add some humor to your French.
Check the news
Follow the hashtag #greve on Twitter/X to see real-time usage and current events in France.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'faire'.
Les professeurs ______ la grève demain.
'Les professeurs' is third-person plural (ils), so the correct form is 'font'.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the natural way to say 'I am on strike'.
In French, we use the verb 'faire' with the definite article 'la'.
Match the type of strike with its meaning.
Match the following:
These are specific variations of the main idiom.
In which situation would you say 'Je fais la grève de la cuisine'?
Select the best context:
This is a humorous, informal use of the phrase.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Grève vs. Manifestation
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenLes professeurs ______ la grève demain.
'Les professeurs' is third-person plural (ils), so the correct form is 'font'.
Choose the natural way to say 'I am on strike'.
In French, we use the verb 'faire' with the definite article 'la'.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are specific variations of the main idiom.
Select the best context:
This is a humorous, informal use of the phrase.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, students can 'faire la grève' to protest against school reforms or tuition hikes.
Usually 'faire la grève' for the general act, but 'une grève' when referring to a specific instance (e.g., 'Il y a une grève demain').
It's a strike that happens without the legal notice period, often called a 'wildcat strike' in English.
Yes, it is a constitutional right for almost all workers, except for some essential services like the police.
It means a hunger strike.
Use 'Je ferai la grève' or 'Je vais faire la grève'.
It is a neutral term. It's not rude, but the topic itself can be controversial.
There isn't a single word, but 'travailler' (to work) or 'reprendre le travail' (to resume work) are the opposites.
Only metaphorically or humorously, e.g., 'Mon chat fait la grève des croquettes' (My cat is refusing his kibble).
It's when workers follow every single rule so strictly that it actually slows down or stops the work.
Verwandte Redewendungen
se mettre en grève
similarTo go on strike
un préavis de grève
builds onA strike notice
un gréviste
relatedA striker
briser la grève
contrastTo break the strike
manifester
similarTo protest/march
