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B1 phrase #3,000 más común 13 min de lectura

à temps plein

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos à temps plein en 30 segundos
Explicación à temps plein in your Level:
At the A1 level, you are just beginning to learn about daily routines and basic jobs. The phrase à temps plein is useful for saying how much you work or study. Think of it as a way to say 'all day' or 'every day' for your job. You can use it in very simple sentences like 'Je travaille à temps plein' (I work full-time). It is important to remember that it is a set phrase—you don't need to change it for men or women. At this stage, you should focus on the difference between working 'a lot' and working 'full-time'. You might see this on a simple job application form where you have to choose between 'full-time' and 'part-time'. Even if the grammar seems a bit complex with the preposition 'à', you can just memorize it as one single block of meaning. It helps you describe your life in a more adult and professional way, even with a limited vocabulary. Try to associate it with your current job or your studies. If you go to school every day from morning to afternoon, you can say 'Je suis un étudiant à temps plein'. This will help you sound more precise when people ask you about your life in French.
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At the A2 level, you can describe your professional life and your schedule in more detail. You should be able to use à temps plein to compare different types of work. For example, you can say 'Avant, je travaillais à temps partiel, mais maintenant je travaille à temps plein' (Before, I worked part-time, but now I work full-time). You will also start to see this phrase in short advertisements for jobs or in simple articles about the work-life balance. You should pay attention to the fact that 'temps' always has an 's' at the end, which is a common point of confusion for A2 learners. You can also use it with nouns, like 'un emploi à temps plein'. At this level, you are expected to understand that this phrase is the standard way to talk about a 35-hour or 40-hour work week. You might also hear it in the context of family, where a parent might say they work full-time while the other stays at home. Practice using it in the past tense (passé composé) and the future tense to talk about your career plans. It is a key term for anyone who wants to work in a French-speaking country, as it is the first thing an employer will want to know about your availability.
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At the B1 level, you are becoming an intermediate speaker and can handle more complex professional situations. You should understand that à temps plein is not just about the number of hours, but also about the legal status and benefits that come with it in France. You can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of working full-time, such as 'Les avantages d'un travail à temps plein incluent une meilleure assurance maladie et plus de jours de vacances'. You should also be comfortable using synonyms like 'à plein temps' and understand the slight difference in formality. At B1, you can use the phrase in more complex sentence structures, such as using it with the subjunctive or in conditional sentences: 'Si je trouvais un travail à temps plein, je pourrais acheter une nouvelle voiture'. You should also be aware of the 35-hour work week in France and how 'temps plein' is defined by law. This is the level where you start to navigate recruitment processes, so being able to specify 'Je recherche uniquement des postes à temps plein' is essential. You can also use it to describe academic commitments or intensive language courses. Your ability to use this phrase correctly shows that you are ready for a professional environment in a Francophone country.
At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of à temps plein within the context of French labor laws and socio-economic debates. You can speak fluently about the '35-hour week' and its impact on the French economy, using terms like 'RTT' and 'productivité'. You should be able to argue for or against full-time work versus part-time work, citing factors like the 'équilibre vie professionnelle-vie privée' (work-life balance). At this level, you can use the phrase in sophisticated grammatical structures, such as within relative clauses: 'Le poste à temps plein pour lequel j'ai postulé exige une grande flexibilité'. You should also understand related concepts like 'équivalent temps plein' (FTE) used in corporate management and statistics. You can distinguish between 'à temps plein' and 'à temps complet', knowing that the latter is more common in the public sector. Your vocabulary should also include antonyms like 'le temps partiel subi' (involuntary part-time work). You are capable of reading complex articles in newspapers like *Le Monde* or *Les Échos* that discuss employment trends and the evolution of the full-time contract in the digital age. Using this phrase correctly at B2 level demonstrates a high degree of cultural and professional integration.
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At the C1 level, your mastery of à temps plein should be near-native. You can use it in high-level professional negotiations, legal discussions, or academic research. You understand the historical evolution of the term, from the industrial revolution to the modern era of the 'forfait jours' for executives. You can analyze the subtle differences in register between 'à temps plein', 'à plein temps', and 'à temps complet' and choose the most appropriate one for any given document or speech. You are comfortable discussing the sociological implications of the 'norme du temps plein' in French society and how it affects gender equality and the distribution of domestic labor. You can use the phrase in highly idiomatic ways and understand when it is being used metaphorically, such as 'se consacrer à temps plein à une passion'. Your writing should reflect this precision, whether you are drafting an employment contract or writing a thesis on labor economics. You can also handle the complexities of 'temps plein' in different Francophone regions, such as Quebec or Belgium, where the legal definitions and common usage might vary slightly. At C1, the phrase is no longer just a vocabulary item but a tool for sophisticated socio-political analysis.
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At the C2 level, you possess a total command of the phrase à temps plein and its place within the vast landscape of the French language. You can use it with absolute precision in the most formal or technical contexts, such as drafting legislation or appearing in a court of law. You are aware of the most obscure linguistic debates surrounding the prepositional use and the history of the phrase. You can speak eloquently about the philosophical concept of 'full time' and its relation to human existence and the modern capitalist structure. Your usage is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, incorporating the phrase into complex rhetorical structures with ease. You can interpret and produce texts that use 'temps plein' in satirical, poetic, or highly technical ways. You understand the deep-seated cultural value the French place on 'le temps' and how 'à temps plein' intersects with concepts of leisure, citizenship, and social solidarity. Whether you are delivering a keynote speech on the future of work or engaging in a heated debate about labor reform, you use the term with a level of nuance that reflects a profound understanding of the French-speaking world's legal, social, and linguistic fabric.
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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

à temps plein en 30 segundos

  • It means working the maximum legal hours in a week, usually 35 hours in France, providing stability and full benefits.
  • Used primarily in professional contexts like job ads and contracts, but also for students or intensive personal projects.
  • Always uses the preposition 'à' and 'temps' (with an 's') and 'plein' (masculine singular), regardless of the subject.
  • Commonly contrasted with 'à temps partiel' or 'à mi-temps', and sometimes interchangeable with 'à plein temps'.
The phrase à temps plein is a foundational term in the French professional lexicon, primarily used to describe a work arrangement where an individual performs the maximum number of legal or contractual hours required by an employer. In the specific context of France, this typically refers to the legal standard of thirty-five hours per week, although this can vary based on collective agreements or specific professional sectors. When you use this phrase, you are indicating a commitment that spans the entire standard work week, distinguishing it from part-time work or seasonal labor. The term is composed of three distinct parts: the preposition à, the noun temps meaning time, and the adjective plein meaning full. Together, they create a locution that functions as an adverbial or adjectival modifier. It is most frequently encountered in job advertisements, employment contracts, and discussions regarding career status or social benefits. Understanding this term is crucial for anyone navigating the French labor market or discussing their professional life in a Francophone environment. It carries with it connotations of stability, full social security coverage, and a standard level of professional engagement. Unlike the English 'full-time', which can sometimes feel vague, the French à temps plein is often tied to very specific legal definitions regarding the duration of work.
Linguistic Function
It functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb like travailler or as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun like poste or contrat.

Elle a enfin trouvé un poste à temps plein dans une agence de publicité à Paris.

Societal Context
The transition from the thirty-nine-hour week to the thirty-five-hour week in the year two thousand significantly shaped how the French perceive temps plein.

Le passage au travail à temps plein a changé son rythme de vie quotidien.

Est-ce que vous préférez travailler à temps plein ou à temps partiel pour ce rôle ?

Grammatical Note
Note that plein agrees with temps, which is masculine singular. Even if a woman is speaking, the phrase remains à temps plein because it refers to the time, not the person.

Mon frère est désormais employé à temps plein par la municipalité.

Les avantages sociaux pour un salarié à temps plein sont très complets en France.

Beyond the corporate world, you might hear this phrase in academic settings, such as a étudiant à temps plein (full-time student), which implies a specific number of credit hours or a commitment to studies as the primary daily activity. In all these cases, the core idea is 'totality'—the full allocation of time available for that specific category of activity. When speakers use this term, they are often setting a boundary against other types of commitments, such as hobbies, side hustles, or family care, which would necessitate a 'partiel' or 'mi-temps' (half-time) schedule. The phrase is also deeply linked to the concept of the contrat à durée indéterminée (CDI), the permanent contract that is the gold standard of employment security in France, although one can certainly have a temporary contract (CDD) that is also à temps plein. Ultimately, mastering this phrase allows you to discuss your availability, your professional status, and your legal rights with precision and clarity.
Using à temps plein correctly requires an understanding of its placement within a sentence and the verbs it typically accompanies. Most frequently, it follows the verb travailler (to work) or the verb être (to be) when describing a status. For example, Je travaille à temps plein is the standard way to say 'I work full-time.' It is important to remember that à temps plein is an invariable phrase; it does not change based on the gender or number of the subject. Whether a group of people is working or a single individual, the phrase remains the same because it describes the 'time' (temps) which is masculine singular. When using it as an adjective to describe a noun, such as a 'full-time job,' the structure is usually un emploi à temps plein or un poste à temps plein. In these instances, the phrase follows the noun directly.
Placement after Verbs
It usually appears immediately after the verb or the direct object of the verb. For instance: Elle occupe un poste à temps plein.

Après ses études, il a été embauché à temps plein par l'entreprise où il avait fait son stage.

Negation
When negating, the ne... pas surrounds the verb, and the phrase remains at the end: Je ne travaille pas à temps plein.

Nous ne pouvons pas vous proposer un contrat à temps plein pour le moment.

Êtes-vous disponible pour travailler à temps plein dès le mois prochain ?

Interrogative Forms
In questions, the phrase often concludes the sentence to emphasize the nature of the commitment. Travaillez-vous à temps plein ?

Combien de salariés travaillent à temps plein dans votre département ?

Ma mère a décidé de reprendre son travail à temps plein après mon départ pour l'université.

When writing professionally, such as in a cover letter (lettre de motivation), it is essential to use the full phrase. For example: Je suis particulièrement intéressé par le poste à temps plein que vous proposez. This demonstrates a formal grasp of professional terminology. In more complex sentences involving infinitives, à temps plein usually follows the infinitive: Il est difficile de travailler à temps plein tout en élevant trois enfants. Furthermore, when discussing salary, you might specify that the amount is for a full-time position: Le salaire indiqué est pour un travail à temps plein. This level of precision prevents misunderstandings regarding compensation. Lastly, consider the use of the phrase in comparison: Je préfère un contrat à temps plein plutôt qu'un contrat à temps partiel pour bénéficier d'une meilleure retraite. Here, the phrase serves as a clear marker of professional intent and long-term planning.
In the daily life of a person living in France or a French-speaking country, the phrase à temps plein is ubiquitous, particularly in environments related to labor and education. If you are listening to the news, specifically segments on the economy or the labor market, you will hear journalists discussing the taux d'emploi à temps plein (full-time employment rate) or the latest government policies affecting salariés à temps plein. In a corporate office, the HR department (les ressources humaines) will use this term constantly during recruitment processes, annual reviews, and when discussing contract modifications. You will see it printed on every job board, from LinkedIn's French interface to the physical windows of local agences d'intérim. When friends gather for a coffee, the topic of work-life balance often arises, and someone might say, Je suis passé à temps plein le mois dernier (I went full-time last month), indicating a significant change in their daily schedule and income.
Professional Recruitment
In job interviews, the recruiter will almost certainly ask: Cherchez-vous un poste à temps plein ou à temps partiel ?

L'annonce précise que c'est un CDI à temps plein avec des avantages intéressants.

Academic Environments
Universities use this to distinguish between students who are fully dedicated to their degree and those who might be working alongside their studies.

En tant qu'étudiant à temps plein, vous avez droit à une réduction sur les transports en commun.

Elle a décidé de se consacrer à temps plein à son projet de création d'entreprise.

Government and Administration
Forms from Pôle Emploi (the French employment agency) or la CAF (social benefits) will always have a checkbox for this status.

Veuillez cocher la case si vous occupez actuellement un emploi à temps plein.

L'hôpital a besoin de recruter trois infirmiers à temps plein pour le service des urgences.

In the cultural sphere, documentaries or podcasts about social change often feature people discussing their desire to move away from le travail à temps plein in favor of le temps partiel choisi (chosen part-time) to pursue personal interests. This reflects a broader societal debate in France about the value of time versus the value of money. Even in casual settings, like a parent talking about their child's nanny, they might say, La nounou travaille à temps plein chez nous. The phrase is so ingrained that it is used almost automatically to define the scope of any major time commitment. Whether you are reading a contract, filling out a tax form, or simply chatting about your week, à temps plein is the standard linguistic tool for defining a full schedule.
One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using à temps plein is the confusion with the phrase tout le temps. While tout le temps translates to 'all the time' in a general sense (e.g., 'He talks all the time'), à temps plein is specifically reserved for professional or formal schedules. Saying Il travaille tout le temps implies he is a workaholic who never stops, whereas Il travaille à temps plein simply means he has a standard full-time contract. Another common mistake involves the preposition. Learners sometimes try to say en temps plein or sur temps plein, influenced by English constructions or other French prepositional uses. The only correct preposition here is à. Furthermore, some learners attempt to make the adjective plein agree with the subject of the sentence, for example, a woman saying Je travaille à temps pleine. This is incorrect; plein modifies the masculine noun temps, and therefore must remain masculine.
Gender Agreement Error
Incorrect: Elle est employée à temps pleine. Correct: Elle est employée à temps plein.

Attention : ne dites pas en temps plein, la préposition correcte est toujours à.

Confusion with 'Full' as a State
Don't use plein alone to mean full-time. You cannot say Je suis plein (which can mean 'I am full' after a meal or, vulgarly, 'I am drunk'). You must include temps.

Il ne faut pas confondre travailler à temps plein et être très occupé.

Beaucoup d'apprenants disent travail plein, mais l'expression complète est indispensable.

Prepositional Pitfalls
Avoid saying pour temps plein. Even if you want to say 'for a full-time position', use pour un poste à temps plein.

Elle cherche un emploi à temps plein, pas une mission temporaire.

Est-ce que le stage est à temps plein ou est-ce que je peux continuer mes cours ?

Another nuance involves the use of the article. While you can say un temps plein as a noun, you cannot say je travaille à un temps plein. The idiomatic expression is à temps plein without the article. Similarly, when describing a person, you don't say il est à temps plein; you should say il travaille à temps plein or il est salarié à temps plein. Misunderstanding the legal weight of the term can also lead to social faux pas. In France, temps plein is a legal status with specific rights; using it loosely to describe a hobby or a volunteer position might confuse listeners who expect a professional context. Finally, ensure you don't confuse à temps plein with à temps complet. While they are synonyms, à temps complet is often used in the public sector (civil service), whereas à temps plein is more common in the private sector. Paying attention to these small details will make your French sound much more natural and professional.
To enrich your vocabulary and avoid repetition, it is helpful to know the synonyms and related terms for à temps plein. The most direct alternative is à plein temps. For a long time, linguistic purists debated which was more correct, but today they are used interchangeably in most contexts, with à temps plein being slightly more formal and common in administrative documents. Another synonym is à temps complet, which is the official term used by the French administration and the civil service (la fonction publique). If you are applying for a government job, you are more likely to see temps complet. Conversely, the opposite of these terms is à temps partiel (part-time) or à mi-temps (half-time). Understanding the spectrum of work hours helps in defining your professional needs.
À temps complet vs À temps plein
While à temps plein is standard in the private sector, à temps complet is the legal term for state employees.

Il a été titularisé sur un poste à temps complet dans l'administration préfectorale.

À temps partiel
The antonym à temps partiel covers any duration less than the legal full-time limit, whether it is 10, 20, or 30 hours.

Je travaille à temps partiel pour pouvoir m'occuper de mes enfants le mercredi.

Il cherche un mi-temps pour compléter ses revenus de freelance.

Au forfait jours
For executives (cadres), the concept of temps plein might be replaced by le forfait jours, where they are paid for a number of days per year rather than hours per week.

En tant que cadre, je ne compte pas mes heures, je suis au forfait.

Le gardien est présent en permanence dans l'immeuble.

You might also encounter the term un poste à temps plein modulé, which refers to a full-time position where the hours vary from week to week but average out to thirty-five hours over the year. This is common in retail and hospitality. Additionally, in the context of internships or apprenticeships, the term en alternance is used to describe a schedule that splits time between a school and a workplace; while the overall commitment is full-time, the work portion is not. Finally, if you want to emphasize that someone is working extremely hard, you might use the idiom travailler d'arrache-pied (to work relentlessly), which goes beyond the literal meaning of à temps plein to describe the intensity of the effort. By knowing these alternatives, you can tailor your speech to the specific professional environment you are in, whether it is a government office, a modern startup, or a casual conversation.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The 's' in 'temps' is a remnant of the Latin third declension nominative 'tempus', which looks plural but is singular. This is why it never changes even when referring to one full-time job.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /a tɑ̃ plɛ̃/
US /ɑ tɑ̃ plɛ̃/
The stress is equal across the syllables, with a slight emphasis on 'plein' at the end of the phrase.
Rima con
sain main train vain bain faim daim essaim
Errores comunes
  • Pronouncing the 'p' or 's' in 'temps'.
  • Pronouncing the 'n' in 'plein' as a hard 'n' instead of a nasal vowel.
  • Making 'plein' sound like the English word 'plane'.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts once the 'temps' spelling is known.

Escritura 3/5

Common mistakes include preposition choice and 'plein' agreement.

Expresión oral 3/5

Nasal vowels in both 'temps' and 'plein' can be tricky for beginners.

Escucha 2/5

The phrase is very distinct and frequently used in professional contexts.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

travailler temps plein à poste

Aprende después

à temps partiel mi-temps CDI CDD RTT

Avanzado

équivalent temps plein forfait jours convention collective cotisations

Gramática que debes saber

Preposition 'à' for manner

travailler à temps plein, marcher à pied, aller à vélo.

Invariable phrases

à temps plein remains the same for singular, plural, masculine, and feminine.

Nasal vowels

temps /tɑ̃/ and plein /plɛ̃/ are both nasal.

Silent final consonants

The 'p' and 's' in 'temps' are never pronounced.

Noun as adjective

Using 'à temps plein' after a noun to describe it like an adjective.

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Ejemplos por nivel

1

Je travaille à temps plein.

I work full-time.

Simple subject-verb-adverbial phrase structure.

2

Est-ce un travail à temps plein ?

Is it a full-time job?

Using 'à temps plein' to modify a noun with 'un'.

3

Elle cherche un poste à temps plein.

She is looking for a full-time position.

Placement after the noun 'poste'.

4

Mon père est à temps plein.

My father is full-time.

Casual use with the verb 'être'.

5

Je ne suis pas à temps plein.

I am not full-time.

Negation with 'ne... pas'.

6

C'est un contrat à temps plein.

It is a full-time contract.

Adjectival use describing 'un contrat'.

7

Tu travailles à temps plein ?

Do you work full-time?

Informal question with rising intonation.

8

Nous voulons un employé à temps plein.

We want a full-time employee.

Direct object followed by the phrase.

1

J'ai trouvé un emploi à temps plein le mois dernier.

I found a full-time job last month.

Use of passé composé with the phrase.

2

Il préfère travailler à temps plein pour gagner plus.

He prefers to work full-time to earn more.

Infinitive 'travailler' followed by the phrase.

3

Ma sœur est étudiante à temps plein à l'université.

My sister is a full-time student at the university.

Academic context for the phrase.

4

Ce poste n'est pas à temps plein, c'est un mi-temps.

This position is not full-time, it's a half-time.

Contrast between full-time and half-time.

5

Voulez-vous travailler à temps plein ou à temps partiel ?

Do you want to work full-time or part-time?

Offering a choice between two statuses.

6

Elle a un nouveau contrat à temps plein depuis lundi.

She has a new full-time contract since Monday.

Using 'depuis' to show duration of status.

7

Travailler à temps plein est fatiguant pour lui.

Working full-time is tiring for him.

Gerund-like use of the infinitive as a subject.

8

Ils ont deux salariés à temps plein dans leur boutique.

They have two full-time employees in their shop.

Plural noun followed by the invariable phrase.

1

Le passage à temps plein a été une décision importante pour ma carrière.

The transition to full-time was an important decision for my career.

Noun 'passage' followed by the prepositional phrase.

2

Il est difficile de concilier une vie de famille et un travail à temps plein.

It is difficult to balance family life and a full-time job.

Using 'concilier' with the phrase.

3

Si je travaillais à temps plein, j'aurais moins de temps libre.

If I worked full-time, I would have less free time.

Conditional sentence structure.

4

L'entreprise propose des postes à temps plein avec de nombreux avantages.

The company offers full-time positions with many benefits.

Plural agreement of 'postes' does not affect 'à temps plein'.

5

Bien qu'elle soit à temps plein, elle trouve le temps de faire du sport.

Although she is full-time, she finds time to do sports.

Use of the subjunctive 'soit' with the phrase.

6

Avez-vous déjà travaillé à temps plein dans ce secteur d'activité ?

Have you ever worked full-time in this sector of activity?

Question about professional experience.

7

Elle s'occupe de ses parents à temps plein depuis leur accident.

She has been taking care of her parents full-time since their accident.

Non-professional use of the phrase to show dedication.

8

Le salaire pour un temps plein est fixé par la convention collective.

The salary for a full-time position is set by the collective agreement.

Using 'un temps plein' as a noun phrase.

1

La loi sur les 35 heures définit la durée légale du travail à temps plein en France.

The 35-hour law defines the legal duration of full-time work in France.

Legal and technical context.

2

Certains salariés préfèrent rester à temps partiel plutôt que de passer à temps plein.

Some employees prefer to stay part-time rather than move to full-time.

Comparing two work statuses.

3

L'augmentation du nombre d'emplois à temps plein est un signe de reprise économique.

The increase in the number of full-time jobs is a sign of economic recovery.

Economic analysis context.

4

Elle a négocié un passage à temps plein après son congé maternité.

She negotiated a move to full-time after her maternity leave.

Context of negotiation and labor rights.

5

Travailler à temps plein ne garantit pas toujours un niveau de vie décent.

Working full-time does not always guarantee a decent standard of living.

Social commentary context.

6

Le télétravail est devenu une option courante pour les postes à temps plein.

Teleworking has become a common option for full-time positions.

Modern workplace context.

7

Il s'est investi à temps plein dans son association caritative.

He invested himself full-time in his charitable organization.

Metaphorical/dedicatory use of the phrase.

8

Les cotisations sociales sont plus élevées pour un contrat à temps plein.

Social security contributions are higher for a full-time contract.

Financial and administrative context.

1

La pérennisation des emplois à temps plein demeure un enjeu majeur des politiques publiques.

Ensuring the sustainability of full-time jobs remains a major issue for public policy.

High-level political and social vocabulary.

2

L'érosion du modèle du temps plein traditionnel est flagrante dans l'économie numérique.

The erosion of the traditional full-time model is blatant in the digital economy.

Sophisticated economic observation.

3

Il convient de s'interroger sur la pertinence du travail à temps plein à l'ère de l'automatisation.

One should question the relevance of full-time work in the age of automation.

Formal philosophical or academic inquiry.

4

Le droit au passage à temps plein est strictement encadré par le Code du travail.

The right to transition to full-time is strictly regulated by the Labor Code.

Legalistic language.

5

Elle a choisi de se consacrer à temps plein à la recherche fondamentale après son doctorat.

She chose to devote herself full-time to fundamental research after her doctorate.

Academic career context.

6

La flexibilisation du temps de travail remet en cause la définition même du temps plein.

The flexibilization of working hours calls into question the very definition of full-time.

Abstract sociological concept.

7

Malgré un poste à temps plein, il peine à joindre les deux bouts dans cette métropole onéreuse.

Despite a full-time position, he struggles to make ends meet in this expensive metropolis.

Contrastive structure with 'malgré'.

8

L'entreprise a dû convertir plusieurs contrats précaires en postes à temps plein.

The company had to convert several precarious contracts into full-time positions.

Business restructuring context.

1

L'hégémonie du travail à temps plein comme vecteur d'identité sociale s'essouffle progressivement.

The hegemony of full-time work as a vector of social identity is gradually losing steam.

Extremely formal and abstract vocabulary.

2

L'articulation entre engagement associatif et activité à temps plein requiert une abnégation constante.

The articulation between voluntary commitment and full-time activity requires constant self-denial.

Sophisticated sentence structure.

3

Le législateur a tenté de sanctuariser le temps plein tout en introduisant des mécanismes de souplesse.

The legislator attempted to sanctify full-time work while introducing flexibility mechanisms.

High-level political/legal analysis.

4

La dichotomie entre temps plein et temps partiel tend à s'estomper avec l'émergence du plurisalariat.

The dichotomy between full-time and part-time tends to blur with the emergence of multi-employment.

Advanced sociological terminology.

5

Se consacrer à temps plein à l'ascèse intellectuelle est un luxe que peu peuvent se permettre.

Devoting oneself full-time to intellectual asceticism is a luxury few can afford.

Literary and philosophical tone.

6

L'aliénation inhérente au travail à temps plein standardisé fait l'objet de critiques acerbes.

The alienation inherent in standardized full-time work is the subject of sharp criticism.

Critical theory context.

7

L'octroi d'un contrat à temps plein constitue souvent le sésame pour l'accès au crédit immobilier.

Granting a full-time contract often constitutes the 'open sesame' for access to a mortgage.

Metaphorical use in a socio-economic context.

8

Elle a embrassé sa carrière de romancière à temps plein après des années de journalisme alimentaire.

She embraced her career as a full-time novelist after years of 'bread-and-butter' journalism.

Nuanced biographical description.

Colocaciones comunes

un poste à temps plein
travailler à temps plein
un contrat à temps plein
étudiant à temps plein
passage à temps plein
salarié à temps plein
équivalent temps plein
recruter à temps plein
disponible à temps plein
rémunéré à temps plein

Frases Comunes

un CDI à temps plein

— A permanent full-time contract, considered the most stable job type in France.

Elle a enfin signé un CDI à temps plein.

reprendre à temps plein

— To return to a full-time schedule after a period of absence or part-time work.

Il va reprendre à temps plein après son congé.

être payé à temps plein

— To receive a full salary based on a standard work week.

Il est payé à temps plein malgré ses absences.

chercher un temps plein

— To look for a job that offers full-time hours.

Je cherche un temps plein dans la vente.

un mi-temps transformé en temps plein

— A part-time job that becomes a full-time one.

Mon mi-temps a été transformé en temps plein.

travailler à temps plein sur un projet

— To dedicate all one's working hours to a specific task.

Elle travaille à temps plein sur ce projet.

un emploi du temps à temps plein

— A schedule that is completely filled with tasks or classes.

Mon emploi du temps est à temps plein cette année.

le statut à temps plein

— The legal and professional classification of working full hours.

Le statut à temps plein donne droit à la retraite complète.

cotiser à temps plein

— To pay social security contributions based on a full-time salary.

Il est important de cotiser à temps plein pour sa pension.

un engagement à temps plein

— A commitment that requires one's entire attention and time.

C'est un engagement à temps plein pour l'association.

Se confunde a menudo con

à temps plein vs tout le temps

Means 'all the time' in a general sense, not professional hours.

à temps plein vs à temps partiel

The opposite; means working fewer than standard hours.

à temps plein vs à temps

Means 'on time' (e.g., the train arrived on time).

Modismos y expresiones

"travailler d'arrache-pied"

— To work relentlessly or very hard, often more than full-time.

Il travaille d'arrache-pied pour finir le projet.

Informal
"ne pas compter ses heures"

— To work much more than the required full-time hours without complaining.

En tant que patron, il ne compte pas ses heures.

Neutral
"être au four et au moulin"

— To be in two places at once or doing many things at once, typical of a busy full-time life.

Avec son travail à temps plein et ses enfants, elle est au four et au moulin.

Idiomatic
"avoir du pain sur la planche"

— To have a lot of work to do, common in a full-time environment.

Nous avons du pain sur la planche cette semaine.

Idiomatic
"suer sang et eau"

— To work extremely hard and put in a lot of effort.

Il a sué sang et eau pour ce poste à temps plein.

Literary
"faire ses trente-cinq heures"

— To do the legal minimum full-time work (often used ironically).

Il se contente de faire ses trente-cinq heures.

Colloquial
"boulot, métro, dodo"

— The routine of 'work, subway, sleep', describing the grind of a full-time job in the city.

C'est la routine boulot, métro, dodo depuis qu'il est à temps plein.

Colloquial
"mettre la main à la pâte"

— To pitch in and help with the work.

Tout le monde doit mettre la main à la pâte à temps plein.

Neutral
"être débordé"

— To be overwhelmed with work, often the case in full-time roles.

Je suis débordé avec mon nouveau poste à temps plein.

Neutral
"tuer la tâche"

— To work very efficiently to finish the workload.

Il a tué la tâche en travaillant à temps plein tout le week-end.

Slang

Fácil de confundir

à temps plein vs à plein temps

They are almost identical in meaning.

À temps plein is more common in formal contracts; à plein temps is slightly more colloquial.

Je travaille à plein temps.

à temps plein vs à temps complet

They both mean full-time.

À temps complet is the specific term used in the public sector (government jobs).

Il est fonctionnaire à temps complet.

à temps plein vs tout le temps

Learners think 'full time' means 'all the time'.

Tout le temps refers to frequency (always); à temps plein refers to a work schedule.

Il crie tout le temps.

à temps plein vs à l'heure

Both involve time and work.

À l'heure means 'on time' or 'per hour'; à temps plein is the total schedule.

Je suis payé à l'heure.

à temps plein vs plein de temps

Literal translation of 'plenty of time'.

Plein de temps means having a lot of time available; à temps plein is a work status.

J'ai plein de temps ce week-end.

Patrones de oraciones

A1

Je travaille [à temps plein].

Je travaille à temps plein.

A2

C'est un [nom] [à temps plein].

C'est un poste à temps plein.

B1

Si je [verbe imparfait], je travaillerais [à temps plein].

Si je pouvais, je travaillerais à temps plein.

B2

Le passage [à temps plein] permet de [verbe].

Le passage à temps plein permet de gagner plus.

C1

Bien que [sujet] soit [à temps plein], [proposition].

Bien qu'il soit à temps plein, il voyage beaucoup.

C2

L'aliénation du [temps plein] est un [nom].

L'aliénation du temps plein est un sujet complexe.

B1

Je cherche un [nom] qui soit [à temps plein].

Je cherche un emploi qui soit à temps plein.

A2

Il est [adjectif] de travailler [à temps plein].

Il est difficile de travailler à temps plein.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

le plein-temps
la plénitude
le temps
la temporalité

Verbos

remplir
compléter
temporiser

Adjetivos

plein
pleine
temporel
temporaire

Relacionado

le mi-temps
le quart-temps
le temps partiel
le temps complet
la durée
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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Extremely high in professional life, medium in social life.

Errores comunes
  • Je travaille en temps plein. → Je travaille à temps plein.

    The preposition 'à' is mandatory for this expression. 'En' is incorrect here.

  • Elle est employée à temps pleine. → Elle est employée à temps plein.

    'Plein' agrees with 'temps' (masculine), not with the person 'elle'.

  • Je cherche un travail à plein temps. → Je cherche un travail à temps plein.

    Both are actually correct, but 'à temps plein' is more standard in formal job searches.

  • Je travaille tout le temps. → Je travaille à temps plein.

    'Tout le temps' means 'always/constantly', while 'à temps plein' means 'full-time hours'.

  • Il travaille à temps plein sans s. → Il travaille à temps plein.

    The word 'temps' must always have an 's' at the end.

Consejos

Invariability

Remember that the phrase is a fixed block. Do not try to pluralize it or change the gender. 'Ils travaillent à temps plein' is correct.

The Antonym

Always learn 'à temps plein' alongside 'à temps partiel' so you can describe any work situation.

The 35 Hours

When talking to French people, remember that their 'full-time' might be shorter than yours if you are from the US or UK.

Nasal Vowels

Practice the difference between the 'an' in 'temps' and the 'ein' in 'plein'. They are distinct nasal sounds.

Job Applications

In a CV, you can simply write 'Temps plein' under a job title to indicate the nature of the role.

Contract Types

A 'temps plein' can be a CDI (permanent) or a CDD (temporary). Specify both if needed.

The Silent S

Don't let the 's' in 'temps' fool you into thinking it's plural; it's just the standard spelling of the word 'time'.

Context Clues

If you hear 'temps' and then a nasal sound starting with 'p', it's almost certainly 'temps plein' in a work context.

Confidence

Using this phrase correctly in an interview immediately signals a B1+ level of professional French.

Comparison

Compare it to 'full-time' in English to see how the preposition 'à' replaces the hyphenated structure.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'Plane' (plein) flying through 'Time' (temps) at 'A' (à) full speed. You need a 'Full Time' to reach your destination.

Asociación visual

Imagine a bucket labeled 'TEMPS' that is completely 'PLEIN' (full) of water. That is your work week.

Word Web

Travail Salaire 35 heures CDI Contrat Bureau Carrière Poste

Desafío

Try to write three sentences about your dream job using 'à temps plein', 'à temps partiel', and 'mi-temps'.

Origen de la palabra

The phrase comes from the combination of the Latin 'ad' (to/at), 'tempus' (time), and 'plenus' (full). It evolved in Middle French to describe a complete measure of time.

Significado original: To have a 'full time' meant to have completed the required duration of a task or period.

Romance (Latin-based).

Contexto cultural

Be aware that many people in France are forced into 'temps partiel' (involuntary part-time) and would prefer 'temps plein', so it can be a sensitive economic topic.

In the US/UK, 'full-time' usually implies 40 hours. In France, it is legally 35, which can be a surprise for English speakers.

The 'Lois Aubry' (35-hour laws) are the most famous reference point for this term. The movie 'Ressources Humaines' (1999) explores the tension of work hours. The song 'Le Travail c'est la santé' by Henri Salvador.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Job Interview

  • Je suis disponible à temps plein.
  • Est-ce un poste à temps plein ?
  • Je préfère un contrat à temps plein.
  • Quelles sont les heures pour un temps plein ?

Administrative Forms

  • Cochez la case 'temps plein'.
  • Indiquez votre temps de travail.
  • Salarié à temps plein.
  • Date de début du temps plein.

University Enrollment

  • Étudiant à temps plein.
  • Inscription à temps plein.
  • Bourse pour temps plein.
  • Charge de cours à temps plein.

Social Conversation

  • Tu es à temps plein ?
  • Je suis passé à temps plein.
  • C'est dur le temps plein.
  • Il travaille à temps plein maintenant.

Economic News

  • Le taux de temps plein.
  • Création d'emplois à temps plein.
  • Le déclin du temps plein.
  • Réforme du temps plein.

Inicios de conversación

"Est-ce que tu travailles à temps plein ou à temps partiel en ce moment ?"

"Préfères-tu le temps plein ou avoir plus de temps libre ?"

"Est-il facile de trouver un emploi à temps plein dans ta ville ?"

"Penses-tu que la semaine de 35 heures à temps plein est une bonne idée ?"

"As-tu déjà été étudiant à temps plein dans un pays étranger ?"

Temas para diario

Décris ta routine quotidienne quand tu travailles à temps plein. Est-ce fatigant ?

Quels sont les avantages d'un poste à temps plein selon toi ? Pense au salaire et à la sécurité.

Si tu pouvais choisir, travaillerais-tu à temps plein ou à mi-temps ? Pourquoi ?

Raconte une expérience où tu as dû travailler à temps plein sur un projet personnel.

Comment le travail à temps plein a-t-il évolué avec le télétravail ces dernières années ?

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Both are correct and mean the same thing. 'À temps plein' is generally preferred in formal and administrative contexts, while 'à plein temps' is common in everyday speech.

No, it does not. In the phrase 'à temps plein', the adjective 'plein' describes the masculine noun 'temps'. Therefore, it always remains masculine regardless of who is working.

Legally, it is 35 hours per week. However, many people work more (e.g., 39 hours) and receive extra vacation days called RTT to compensate.

Yes, you can say 'étudiant à temps plein' to indicate that you are a full-time student and not working a job simultaneously.

The opposite is 'à temps partiel' (part-time). You can also use 'à mi-temps' if you work exactly half the hours.

They are synonyms, but 'temps complet' is the official term used by the French government for civil service positions.

Yes, it is common in spoken French to mean 'I have a full-time job' or 'I am working full-time hours currently'.

Yes, always. The word 'temps' (time) in French always ends with an 's', whether it is singular or plural.

Yes, it is used throughout the Francophone world, though Quebec might also use 'à temps complet' frequently in various sectors.

It is usually reserved for professional or serious commitments. Using it for a hobby would sound metaphorical, implying you do it as if it were a job.

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Ponte a prueba 200 preguntas

writing

Write a sentence saying you are looking for a full-time job in Paris.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Uses 'chercher', 'travail à temps plein', and the location.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Uses 'chercher', 'travail à temps plein', and the location.

writing

Ask a recruiter if the position is full-time or part-time.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Uses a formal question structure and both terms.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Uses a formal question structure and both terms.

writing

Explain that you work full-time but you want to work half-time.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Contrasts the two work statuses.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Contrasts the two work statuses.

writing

Say that your brother is a full-time student.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Applies the phrase to an academic context.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Applies the phrase to an academic context.

writing

Write a short sentence about the 35-hour week in France.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

States a cultural/legal fact.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

States a cultural/legal fact.

writing

Describe a person who is very busy with their full-time job.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Combines an adjective with the professional phrase.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Combines an adjective with the professional phrase.

writing

Say that you have finally found a full-time contract.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Uses 'enfin' and 'contrat'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Uses 'enfin' and 'contrat'.

writing

Ask your friend if they work full-time.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Simple informal question.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Simple informal question.

writing

Say that the salary for a full-time position is good.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Links salary with the work status.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Links salary with the work status.

writing

Explain that you cannot work full-time because of your children.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Uses negation and a reason.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Uses negation and a reason.

writing

Write a sentence using the synonym 'à plein temps'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct use of the synonym.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Correct use of the synonym.

writing

Translate: 'I am available full-time starting tomorrow.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Uses 'disponible' and 'dès'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Uses 'disponible' and 'dès'.

writing

Say that you prefer full-time for the social benefits.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Uses 'préférer' and 'avantages sociaux'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Uses 'préférer' and 'avantages sociaux'.

writing

Describe a company that only hires full-time staff.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Uses 'recruter' and 'seulement'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Uses 'recruter' and 'seulement'.

writing

Say that your father worked full-time for forty years.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Uses passé composé and duration.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Uses passé composé and duration.

writing

Write a sentence about a full-time internship.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Applies the phrase to 'un stage'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Applies the phrase to 'un stage'.

writing

Ask how many full-time employees there are in the company.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Uses 'combien de' and 'y a-t-il'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Uses 'combien de' and 'y a-t-il'.

writing

Say that you are moving from part-time to full-time.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Uses 'passer de... à...'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Uses 'passer de... à...'.

writing

Explain that full-time work is standard in your country.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Uses 'la norme'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Uses 'la norme'.

writing

Say that you love your full-time job.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Simple positive statement.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Simple positive statement.

speaking

Pronounce 'à temps plein' aloud.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Focus on the nasal vowels and silent consonants.

speaking

Say: 'I work full-time in a bank.'

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Practice the full sentence flow.

speaking

Ask: 'Are you looking for a full-time job?'

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Practice the rising intonation for the question.

speaking

Say: 'I am a full-time student.'

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Practice the academic use.

speaking

Say: 'It's a full-time contract.'

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Practice the adjectival use.

speaking

Say: 'I don't work full-time.'

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Practice the negation.

speaking

Say: 'I want to go full-time.'

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Practice the 'passer à' construction.

speaking

Say: 'The salary is for full-time.'

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Practice using it as a noun phrase.

speaking

Say: 'He is full-time since Monday.'

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Practice with 'depuis'.

speaking

Say: 'She works full-time on her project.'

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Practice the preposition 'sur'.

speaking

Say: 'Full-time is 35 hours.'

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Practice the numbers.

speaking

Say: 'I prefer part-time to full-time.'

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Practice comparison.

speaking

Say: 'Are there full-time positions?'

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Practice 'y a-t-il'.

speaking

Say: 'I am available full-time.'

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Practice availability.

speaking

Say: 'My father worked full-time.'

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Practice the imparfait tense.

speaking

Say: 'It's a full-time commitment.'

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Practice the word 'engagement'.

speaking

Say: 'We need a full-time employee.'

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Practice 'avoir besoin de'.

speaking

Say: 'Is it full-time or half-time?'

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Practice the alternative choice.

speaking

Say: 'I finally have a full-time job.'

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Practice the adverb 'enfin'.

speaking

Say: 'He is a full-time doctor.'

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Practice with a profession name.

listening

Listen to the description: 'Un homme travaille du lundi au vendredi, de 9h à 17h.' Is he full-time?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Those are standard full-time hours.

listening

Listen to the description: 'Une femme travaille seulement le matin.' Is she full-time?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Working only mornings is part-time.

listening

Listen to the word: /tɑ̃ plɛ̃/. What is the phrase?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

The nasal vowels identify the phrase.

listening

Listen to the sentence: 'Je cherche un mi-temps.' Is the person looking for full-time work?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

They are looking for 'mi-temps' (half-time).

listening

Listen to the sentence: 'Le poste est à temps complet.' Is this a full-time job?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

'À temps complet' is a synonym for full-time.

listening

Listen to the sentence: 'Elle est passée à 100%.' What does this mean?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

'À 100%' is an informal way to say full-time.

listening

Listen to the sentence: 'Il ne travaille plus à temps plein.' Does he still work full hours?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

The negation 'ne... plus' means 'no longer'.

listening

Listen to the sentence: 'C'est un CDI à temps plein.' What kind of contract is it?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

CDI means permanent.

listening

Listen to the sentence: 'Le salaire indiqué est pour un temps plein.' Is the salary for part-time?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

It is specifically for 'un temps plein'.

listening

Listen to the sentence: 'Les étudiants à temps plein ne travaillent pas.' Who is being described?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

The subject is 'Les étudiants à temps plein'.

listening

Listen to the sentence: 'Je suis disponible à temps plein dès lundi.' When is the person available?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

The person says 'dès lundi'.

listening

Listen to the sentence: 'Il n'y a pas de poste à temps plein.' Are there any full-time jobs?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

'Il n'y a pas' means 'there are none'.

listening

Listen to the sentence: 'Ma sœur travaille à temps plein à la mairie.' Where does the sister work?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

'Mairie' means city hall.

listening

Listen to the sentence: 'C'est un travail à temps partiel.' Is this full-time?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

It is 'temps partiel' (part-time).

listening

Listen to the sentence: 'Nous recrutons à temps plein.' What is the company doing?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

'Recrutons' means hiring.

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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