Significado
To put a lot of effort into one's work.
Contexto cultural
Despite the 35-hour work week, 'travailler dur' is highly respected, especially in the 'Grandes Écoles' and among 'cadres' (executives). In Quebec, the expression 'travailler fort' is more common than 'travailler dur', reflecting a slight regional preference in vocabulary. In many West African French-speaking countries, working hard is often associated with 'le courage' (bravery/stamina). Swiss French culture places a high value on precision and diligence, where 'travailler dur' is often synonymous with 'travailler avec précision'.
The Invariable Rule
Always remember that 'dur' doesn't change. 'Elle travaille dur' is correct. Never add an 'e'!
Hard vs Hardly
Don't use 'dur' to mean 'hardly'. 'Il travaille dur' means he works a lot. 'Il travaille à peine' means he hardly works.
Significado
To put a lot of effort into one's work.
The Invariable Rule
Always remember that 'dur' doesn't change. 'Elle travaille dur' is correct. Never add an 'e'!
Hard vs Hardly
Don't use 'dur' to mean 'hardly'. 'Il travaille dur' means he works a lot. 'Il travaille à peine' means he hardly works.
Quebec Variation
If you are in Canada, use 'travailler fort'. You will sound much more like a local!
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'dur'.
Marie et Sarah travaillent ______ pour réussir leur examen.
Even though the subject is plural and feminine, 'dur' is an adverb here and does not change.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I worked hard'?
Comment dit-on 'I worked hard' en français ?
'Travailler dur' is the standard idiomatic expression.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Tu as l'air fatigué. B: Oui, je _________ sur ce projet depuis ce matin.
The context of being tired implies intense effort, making 'travaille dur' the best fit.
Match the phrase to the situation.
In which situation would you say 'Il faut travailler dur'?
Hard work is a prerequisite for success in competitions.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Dur vs Dure
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosMarie et Sarah travaillent ______ pour réussir leur examen.
Even though the subject is plural and feminine, 'dur' is an adverb here and does not change.
Comment dit-on 'I worked hard' en français ?
'Travailler dur' is the standard idiomatic expression.
A: Tu as l'air fatigué. B: Oui, je _________ sur ce projet depuis ce matin.
The context of being tired implies intense effort, making 'travaille dur' the best fit.
In which situation would you say 'Il faut travailler dur'?
Hard work is a prerequisite for success in competitions.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasIt is neutral. You can use it in almost any context, from a job interview to a chat with friends.
Yes, but it's less common and often implies working in harsh or cruel conditions rather than just putting in effort.
You could say 'paresser' (to be lazy) or 'ne rien faire' (to do nothing).
No. 'Ils travaillent dur' is the correct form.
Yes! You can 'travailler dur' at piano, sports, or learning a language.
No, it's just informal. It's fine for colleagues you know well, but avoid it in a formal interview.
Use 'travailler plus dur'.
In French, 'difficile' describes the nature of the task, while 'dur' describes the intensity of the effort.
It's a slang term for working hard, often used by young people or in rap music.
It is correct and very common in Quebec, but sounds slightly unusual in France.
Yes, 'très' is the perfect way to intensify the phrase.
It is an adverb, which is why it remains invariable.
Frases relacionadas
bosser dur
synonymTo work hard (informal)
travailler d'arrache-pied
similarTo work relentlessly
ne pas chômer
similarTo stay very busy
charbonner
specialized formTo grind/work hard (slang)
s'échiner au travail
similarTo wear oneself out working
