mal payé en 30 segundos
- Mal payé means poorly paid, describing jobs with low salaries.
- It's used to express dissatisfaction with insufficient financial compensation.
- Common in discussions about work, careers, and economic fairness.
- Can be used for jobs, positions, or tasks.
Understanding "Mal Payé"
The French expression mal payé literally translates to 'badly paid' and is used to describe a job or a profession where the salary or remuneration is considered insufficient or low. It's a common way to express dissatisfaction with the financial compensation offered for work, implying that the effort, skills, or hours invested are not adequately rewarded. This term is frequently encountered when discussing employment, career choices, and economic fairness.
- Core Meaning
- Describes a job or activity that offers a low salary.
- Context of Use
- Used when discussing wages, employment conditions, and career satisfaction.
- Implication
- Suggests that the pay does not match the value of the work or the cost of living.
You might hear people use mal payé in various situations. For instance, a student talking about their part-time job might complain, 'Mon job d'été est vraiment mal payé.' (My summer job is really poorly paid.) Or, when discussing societal issues, someone might say, 'Les métiers du soin sont souvent mal payés, malgré leur importance.' (Caregiving professions are often poorly paid, despite their importance.) The phrase highlights a common concern about financial compensation in the labor market.
Ce poste est malheureusement mal payé pour le niveau de responsabilité.
Constructing Sentences with "Mal Payé"
Using mal payé in a sentence is straightforward, as it functions as an adjective modifying a noun, typically referring to a job, profession, or task. It usually follows the noun it describes, agreeing in gender and number if the noun is plural or feminine, although in its common adjectival usage, it often remains invariable or agrees with the masculine singular form when referring to a general concept of a job.
- Placement
- Typically follows the noun it modifies (e.g., 'un travail mal payé', 'une profession mal payée').
- Agreement
- While technically an adjective, it often remains invariable or agrees with the masculine singular when referring to a general job title. For specific feminine nouns, agreement might occur (e.g., 'une tâche mal payée').
- Common Subjects
- Frequently used with nouns like 'travail' (work), 'emploi' (job), 'poste' (position), 'métier' (profession), 'salaire' (salary), 'rémunération' (remuneration).
Here are some examples demonstrating its usage:
C'est un emploi mal payé, mais il offre une bonne expérience.
Beaucoup d'artistes travaillent dans des conditions mal payées.
Elle a quitté son poste car il était trop mal payé.
Real-World Usage of "Mal Payé"
The phrase mal payé is a staple in everyday French conversations, particularly when people discuss their work, economic realities, or social issues. You'll frequently encounter it in contexts where financial compensation is a point of concern or discussion.
- Workplace Discussions
- Colleagues might lament about their jobs: 'Ce projet est épuisant, et en plus, c'est mal payé.' (This project is exhausting, and on top of that, it's poorly paid.)
- News and Media
- Journalists often use it when reporting on labor strikes, economic disparities, or specific professions: 'Les infirmiers dénoncent des salaires mal payés.' (Nurses denounce poorly paid salaries.)
- Social Commentary
- Discussions about the value of certain types of labor, like care work or creative professions, often involve this term: 'Il est temps de reconnaître la valeur du travail des enseignants, qui sont souvent mal payés.' (It's time to recognize the value of teachers' work, who are often poorly paid.)
- Personal Anecdotes
- Individuals might share their career experiences: 'J'ai essayé de vivre de ma passion, mais c'était trop mal payé pour subvenir à mes besoins.' (I tried to live off my passion, but it was too poorly paid to support myself.)
You'll also hear it in casual conversations among friends or family when discussing career paths, job satisfaction, or the cost of living. For example, a parent might advise their child: 'Choisis un métier qui te plaît, mais assure-toi qu'il ne soit pas trop mal payé.' (Choose a profession you like, but make sure it's not too poorly paid.)
Les stagiaires se plaignent souvent que leur expérience est mal payée.
Avoiding Pitfalls with "Mal Payé"
While mal payé is a common and useful phrase, learners might sometimes misuse it or confuse it with similar expressions. Understanding these nuances will help you use it more accurately.
- Incorrect Agreement
- Mistake: Forgetting to potentially add an 'e' for feminine nouns or an 's' for plural nouns, although in practice, it often stays invariable. For example, saying 'un travail mal payé' is correct, but 'une tâche mal payé' should ideally be 'une tâche mal payée'. However, 'mal payé' is very frequently used without agreement, especially when referring to the general concept of a job.
- Confusing with 'Pauvre salaire'
- Mistake: While 'pauvre salaire' (poor salary) is understandable, 'mal payé' is the more idiomatic and common way to describe a job as poorly compensated. 'Pauvre' can also mean 'unfortunate' or 'thin', so 'pauvre salaire' might sound slightly less direct than 'mal payé'.
- Overusing 'Mal' with other verbs
- Mistake: Applying the 'mal + verb' structure too broadly. While 'mal payé' is standard, phrases like 'mal travaillé' (badly worked) are less common than 'travail mal fait' (badly done work).
- Literal Translation Issues
- Mistake: Trying to directly translate English phrases like 'low-paying job' without considering the common French idiom. 'Un travail mal payé' is the correct and natural way to say this.
Focus on using mal payé when you want to convey that the salary for a job is insufficient. It's a direct and widely understood expression in French.
Incorrect: C'est un emploi pauvre salaire.
Correct: C'est un emploi mal payé.
Synonyms and Related Terms for "Mal Payé"
While mal payé is a very common and direct way to express that a job offers low compensation, French offers several other words and phrases that convey similar meanings, sometimes with slight variations in nuance or formality.
- Peu rémunéré
- Meaning: Poorly remunerated. This is a very close synonym to mal payé and is often interchangeable. 'Rémunéré' refers to the payment or compensation received for work.
- Sous-payé
- Meaning: Underpaid. This term implies that the salary is below what the employee deserves or what is standard for the role. It can carry a stronger sense of injustice or exploitation than 'mal payé'.
- Pas bien payé
- Meaning: Not well paid. This is a more informal and less emphatic way to say the same thing as mal payé. It's a common, everyday expression.
- Salaire de misère
- Meaning: A pittance, a miserable salary. This is a more colloquial and stronger expression, used to describe a salary that is extremely low and barely enough to live on.
Comparison Table:
| Phrase | Meaning | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Mal payé | Poorly paid | General, common |
| Peu rémunéré | Poorly remunerated | Slightly more formal |
| Sous-payé | Underpaid | Implies unfairness, below standard |
| Pas bien payé | Not well paid | Informal, less emphatic |
| Salaire de misère | A miserable salary | Colloquial, very strong |
Ce travail est mal payé, mais il est intéressant.
Ce travail est peu rémunéré, mais il est intéressant.
Ce travail est sous-payé, ce n'est pas juste.
How Formal Is It?
Dato curioso
The adverb 'mal' comes from the Latin word 'male', meaning 'badly'. It's used in many French words to indicate something negative or incorrect, such as 'malade' (sick, literally 'badly made') or 'malheureusement' (unfortunately, literally 'badly happily').
Guía de pronunciación
- Pronouncing 'mal' too softly, like 'mål'.
- Making the 'é' sound in 'payé' too short or too long.
- Confusing the 'a' sound in 'mal' with the 'a' in 'cat'.
Nivel de dificultad
The phrase 'mal payé' itself is straightforward. Understanding its nuances and common contexts requires some exposure to French discourse on labor and economics.
Using it correctly in sentences is relatively easy, but mastering its agreement and its use in more complex sentence structures requires practice.
Pronunciation is not difficult. Using the phrase naturally in conversation depends on familiarity with its common usage contexts.
It's a common phrase, so it should be recognizable once learned, especially in discussions about work or finances.
Qué aprender después
Requisitos previos
Aprende después
Avanzado
Gramática que debes saber
Adjective Agreement
When 'mal payé' modifies a feminine noun or a plural noun, it may agree. For example, 'une tâche mal payée' or 'des emplois mal payés'. However, it is often used invariantly, especially when referring to a general concept of a job.
Use of 'mal' as an Adverb
'Mal' functions as an adverb modifying the past participle 'payé', indicating 'poorly paid'.
Negation with 'pas bien payé'
'Ce n'est pas bien payé' is a common way to express that something is not well paid, a softer alternative to 'mal payé'.
Comparative 'mieux payé'
'Je cherche un travail mieux payé' means 'I am looking for a better-paid job'.
Superlative 'le/la/les mieux payé(e)(s)'
'C'est le poste le mieux payé de l'entreprise' means 'It's the best-paid position in the company'.
Ejemplos por nivel
Mon travail n'est pas bon.
My job is not good.
Simple present tense, basic negation.
Le salaire est petit.
The salary is small.
Basic adjective agreement with a noun.
Je ne gagne pas beaucoup d'argent.
I don't earn a lot of money.
Negation with 'ne...pas' and 'beaucoup'.
C'est un travail difficile.
It's a difficult job.
Using 'c'est' with an adjective.
Je veux un meilleur salaire.
I want a better salary.
Using 'vouloir' with a comparative adjective.
Ce n'est pas cher.
It is not expensive.
Negation with 'ce n'est pas'.
J'ai beaucoup de travail.
I have a lot of work.
Using 'avoir' with 'beaucoup de'.
Le prix est bas.
The price is low.
Simple adjective describing a noun.
Mon travail est mal payé.
My job is poorly paid.
Using 'mal payé' as an adjective after the noun.
Ce poste n'est pas bien payé.
This position is not well paid.
Using 'pas bien payé' for a softer negation.
Elle trouve son salaire trop bas.
She finds her salary too low.
Using 'trouver' + adjective.
C'est un emploi mal payé mais intéressant.
It's a poorly paid but interesting job.
Combining 'mal payé' with another adjective using 'mais'.
Je cherche un travail mieux payé.
I am looking for a better-paid job.
Using 'mieux payé' as a comparative adjective.
Les employés sont mécontents du salaire.
The employees are unhappy with the salary.
Using 'mécontent de'.
Ce métier n'offre pas une bonne rémunération.
This profession does not offer good remuneration.
Using 'rémunération' and negation.
Il est difficile de vivre avec un salaire mal payé.
It is difficult to live with a poorly paid salary.
Using 'mal payé' to describe 'salaire'.
Beaucoup de jeunes diplômés se retrouvent dans des postes mal payés.
Many young graduates find themselves in poorly paid positions.
Using 'se retrouver dans' and 'mal payés' agreeing with 'postes'.
Elle a décidé de changer de carrière car son emploi actuel est sous-payé.
She decided to change careers because her current job is underpaid.
Using 'sous-payé' and explaining the reason for a change.
Le secteur associatif souffre souvent de financements insuffisants, rendant les postes mal payés.
The non-profit sector often suffers from insufficient funding, making positions poorly paid.
Using participial phrases ('rendant') and agreement.
Comparer le salaire de ce poste avec celui d'un autre emploi similaire est essentiel.
Comparing the salary of this position with that of another similar job is essential.
Using infinitive clauses and comparative structures.
Les travailleurs précaires sont souvent confrontés à des emplois mal payés et sans sécurité.
Precarious workers often face poorly paid and insecure jobs.
Using 'confrontés à' and describing job conditions.
Il est regrettable que certains métiers essentiels soient si peu rémunérés.
It is regrettable that some essential professions are so poorly remunerated.
Using 'il est regrettable que' + subjunctive, and 'peu rémunérés'.
Elle a refusé l'offre d'emploi, jugeant le salaire proposé trop faible.
She refused the job offer, deeming the proposed salary too low.
Using 'jugeant' (present participle) and 'trop faible'.
La négociation salariale est cruciale pour éviter un poste mal payé.
Salary negotiation is crucial to avoid a poorly paid position.
Using infinitive clauses of purpose.
La précarité de certains contrats de travail explique en partie pourquoi les postes sont si mal payés.
The precariousness of certain employment contracts partly explains why positions are so poorly paid.
Complex sentence structure with causal links.
Il est inadmissible qu'un travail aussi exigeant ne soit pas mieux rémunéré.
It is unacceptable that such demanding work is not better compensated.
Using 'inadmissible que' + subjunctive, and 'mieux rémunéré'.
Les plateformes numériques ont parfois créé des situations où les travailleurs sont mal payés et manquent de droits sociaux.
Digital platforms have sometimes created situations where workers are poorly paid and lack social rights.
Using relative clauses and describing consequences.
Malgré les promesses d'évolution, son salaire est resté stagnant, le considérant comme mal payé pour son expérience.
Despite promises of advancement, her salary remained stagnant, considering her poorly paid for her experience.
Using participial phrases ('considérant') and complex temporal clauses.
La perception d'un salaire comme étant mal payé dépend souvent du coût de la vie dans la région.
The perception of a salary as being poorly paid often depends on the cost of living in the region.
Using nominalizations and abstract concepts.
Les syndicats militent pour une revalorisation des salaires dans les secteurs où les employés sont systématiquement mal payés.
Unions are campaigning for a salary increase in sectors where employees are systematically poorly paid.
Using specific vocabulary ('militent pour', 'revalorisation', 'systématiquement').
Elle a préféré opter pour un emploi moins prestigieux mais mieux rémunéré, afin d'assurer sa stabilité financière.
She preferred to opt for a less prestigious but better-paid job, in order to ensure her financial stability.
Using infinitive clauses of purpose ('afin de') and comparative adjectives.
L'automatisation croissante pourrait potentiellement conduire à une diminution des postes bien rémunérés et à une augmentation des emplois mal payés.
Increasing automation could potentially lead to a decrease in well-paid positions and an increase in poorly paid jobs.
Using conditional and future tenses, discussing potential economic trends.
La dévalorisation de certaines professions intellectuelles se manifeste par une rémunération disproportionnellement faible, les rendant intrinsèquement mal payées.
The devaluation of certain intellectual professions is manifested by disproportionately low remuneration, making them intrinsically poorly paid.
Complex vocabulary ('dévalorisation', 'disproportionnellement', 'intrinsèquement') and participial clauses.
Il est de plus en plus ardu de justifier le maintien de conditions de travail où les employés sont constamment sous-payés, malgré leur contribution significative à l'économie.
It is increasingly difficult to justify the maintenance of working conditions where employees are constantly underpaid, despite their significant contribution to the economy.
Advanced vocabulary ('ardu', 'justifier', 'maintien', 'contribution significative') and relative clauses.
L'essor de l'économie 'gig' a soulevé des questions éthiques quant à la légitimité de modèles économiques qui marginalisent les travailleurs, les laissant dans des situations de précarité et de salaires mal payés.
The rise of the gig economy has raised ethical questions regarding the legitimacy of economic models that marginalize workers, leaving them in situations of precariousness and poorly paid wages.
Complex nominalizations ('l'essor', 'la légitimité', 'marginalisent') and participial phrases.
La perception que certains métiers sont 'mal payés' est souvent le reflet d'une sous-estimation sociétale de leur valeur intrinsèque et de l'effort qu'ils requièrent.
The perception that certain professions are 'poorly paid' is often a reflection of a societal underestimation of their intrinsic value and the effort they require.
Abstract nouns ('perception', 'sous-estimation', 'valeur intrinsèque') and complex subject-verb agreement.
Les politiques visant à éradiquer le travail mal payé devraient s'attaquer non seulement aux bas salaires, mais aussi à la structure même des marchés du travail.
Policies aimed at eradicating poorly paid work should address not only low wages but also the very structure of labor markets.
Subjunctive clauses ('visant à'), complex object structures, and abstract policy language.
Il est impératif que les gouvernements reconnaissent et soutiennent les secteurs d'activité où les travailleurs, malgré leur dévouement, continuent d'être rémunérés de manière insuffisante.
It is imperative that governments recognize and support sectors of activity where workers, despite their dedication, continue to be insufficiently compensated.
Modal verbs ('impératif que'), subjunctive mood, and nuanced adverbs ('de manière insuffisante').
La tendance à externaliser la production vers des pays où la main-d'œuvre est bon marché exacerbe le phénomène des emplois mal payés à l'échelle mondiale.
The trend of outsourcing production to countries where labor is cheap exacerbates the phenomenon of poorly paid jobs globally.
Complex sentence structure with cause and effect, sophisticated vocabulary ('externaliser', 'exacerbe', 'main-d'œuvre').
La formation continue et la reconversion professionnelle sont des leviers essentiels pour permettre aux individus d'échapper aux métiers mal payés et d'accéder à des opportunités plus lucratives.
Continuing education and professional retraining are essential levers for enabling individuals to escape poorly paid professions and access more lucrative opportunities.
Abstract nouns ('formation continue', 'reconversion professionnelle', 'leviers', 'opportunités lucratives') and complex infinitive structures.
La persistance de disparités salariales criantes, où des professions pourtant essentielles demeurent intrinsèquement mal payées, interroge la pertinence des modèles économiques actuels.
The persistence of glaring salary disparities, where professions that are nevertheless essential remain intrinsically poorly paid, questions the relevance of current economic models.
Highly sophisticated vocabulary ('persistance', 'disparités criantes', 'intrinsèquement', 'interroge la pertinence'), abstract concepts, and complex syntax.
Il est symptomatique d'une société que les gardiens de la mémoire collective, tels que les archivistes ou les bibliothécaires, soient si souvent relégués à des fonctions mal payées, malgré leur rôle fondamental.
It is symptomatic of a society that the guardians of collective memory, such as archivists or librarians, are so often relegated to poorly paid functions, despite their fundamental role.
Figurative language ('gardiens de la mémoire collective'), advanced vocabulary ('symptomatique', 'relégués', 'fondamental'), and complex subordination.
La mondialisation, en favorisant une course vers le bas en matière de coûts de main-d'œuvre, a indéniablement contribué à l'aggravation du phénomène des emplois mal payés et à la précarisation accrue des travailleurs.
Globalization, by fostering a race to the bottom in terms of labor costs, has undeniably contributed to the exacerbation of the phenomenon of poorly paid jobs and the increased precariousness of workers.
Complex causal relationships, sophisticated vocabulary ('course vers le bas', 'indéniablement', 'aggravation', 'précarisation accrue'), and abstract economic concepts.
L'inadéquation entre la qualification requise pour certaines tâches et la rémunération proposée constitue un frein majeur à l'attractivité de ces professions, les condamnant à demeurer mal payées.
The mismatch between the qualification required for certain tasks and the remuneration offered constitutes a major obstacle to the attractiveness of these professions, condemning them to remain poorly paid.
Abstract nouns ('inadéquation', 'frein majeur', 'attractivité'), complex sentence structure, and nuanced verb choices ('condamnant à demeurer').
Une analyse approfondie des structures économiques révèle que la perpétuation de l'existence de métiers mal payés est souvent le corollaire d'une répartition inéquitable des richesses et du pouvoir.
An in-depth analysis of economic structures reveals that the perpetuation of the existence of poorly paid professions is often the corollary of an inequitable distribution of wealth and power.
Highly academic vocabulary ('approfondie', 'perpétuation', 'corollaire', 'répartition inéquitable'), complex syntax, and abstract concepts.
Il est impératif de promouvoir une reconnaissance accrue de la valeur intrinsèque de tous les travailleurs, afin de rééquilibrer les systèmes de rémunération et d'éradiquer la stigmatisation associée aux emplois mal payés.
It is imperative to promote increased recognition of the intrinsic value of all workers, in order to rebalance compensation systems and eradicate the stigma associated with poorly paid jobs.
Complex infinitive clauses of purpose ('afin de'), abstract nouns ('reconnaissance accrue', 'rééquilibrer', 'stigmatisation'), and sophisticated verb choices.
La tendance à considérer le travail manuel comme intrinsèquement moins valorisable que le travail intellectuel a historiquement engendré une situation où de nombreuses professions manuelles sont structurellement mal payées.
The tendency to consider manual labor as intrinsically less valuable than intellectual labor has historically generated a situation where many manual professions are structurally poorly paid.
Complex causal chains, sophisticated vocabulary ('engendré', 'structurellement'), and abstract societal trends.
Les économistes s'accordent à dire que l'investissement dans l'éducation et la formation professionnelle est un levier déterminant pour permettre aux individus de sortir des cercles vicieux des emplois mal payés et de progresser vers des carrières plus épanouissantes et rémunératrices.
Economists agree that investment in education and professional training is a determining lever for enabling individuals to break free from the vicious circles of poorly paid jobs and progress towards more fulfilling and remunerative careers.
Complex nominalizations ('investissement', 'levier déterminant', 'cercles vicieux', 'carrières épanouissantes et rémunératrices'), sophisticated agreement, and abstract economic discourse.
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
— It's a poorly paid job.
Elle travaille dans un magasin, et c'est un emploi mal payé.
— He/She is poorly paid.
Il est mal payé pour tout ce qu'il fait pour l'entreprise.
— The work is poorly paid.
Dans ce secteur, le travail est souvent mal payé.
— Not paid well enough.
Elle pense que son salaire n'est pas assez bien payé pour ses compétences.
— Poorly paid for the effort.
Il se sent mal payé pour les efforts qu'il déploie chaque jour.
— A poorly paid profession.
Elle a choisi un métier mal payé mais qui la passionne.
— A poorly paid salary (less common, usually 'salaire bas' or 'mal payé' modifies the job).
On ne peut pas vivre avec un salaire mal payé.
— Poorly paid compared to...
Il est mal payé par rapport à ses collègues qui font le même travail.
— To feel poorly paid.
Beaucoup d'employés se sentent mal payés et demandent une augmentation.
Se confunde a menudo con
'Mal payé' means poorly paid, while 'bien payé' means well-paid. They are direct opposites.
'Sous-payé' (underpaid) implies being paid less than one deserves or less than the standard, often with a stronger sense of injustice than the more general 'mal payé'.
While understandable, 'pauvre salaire' (poor salary) is less idiomatic than 'mal payé' for describing a job. 'Pauvre' can also mean 'unfortunate'.
Modismos y expresiones
— To earn a living with difficulty. This often implies working in a poorly paid job or facing financial hardship.
Dans cette ville, beaucoup de gens gagnent leur vie difficilement à cause des salaires bas.
Neutral— To have a lot of work to do, to be busy. While not directly about pay, being extremely busy in a poorly paid job is a common scenario.
Avec tous ces projets, elle a vraiment le pain sur la planche, et pourtant son travail est mal payé.
Informal— To be at the minimum wage. This is a direct consequence of working in a 'mal payé' job.
Beaucoup d'étudiants travaillent pendant leurs études et sont au SMIC, ce qui est souvent mal payé.
Neutral— To live on very little. This is the result of having a poorly paid job or insufficient income.
Elle a un métier passionnant mais mal payé, alors elle doit vivre de peu.
Neutral— To be exploited. This is a strong term often associated with poorly paid labor where workers are taken advantage of.
Certains travailleurs se sentent exploités car leur travail est mal payé et les conditions sont dures.
Negative— To not be able to make ends meet. This is a direct financial consequence of having a mal payé job.
Avec un salaire mal payé, il est de plus en plus difficile de ne pas arriver à joindre les deux bouts.
Neutral— Ant-like work; tedious, meticulous, and often low-paid work.
Elle fait un travail de fourmi dans ce laboratoire, mais le poste est mal payé.
Informal— Thankless work. This often refers to jobs that are physically demanding, unpleasant, and usually poorly paid.
Nettoyer les rues est un travail ingrat et mal payé.
Negative— To be underestimated. This can apply to the worker or the value of their work, often leading to them being mal payé.
Son talent est sous-estimé, c'est pourquoi son travail est mal payé.
Neutral— The race for profit. This can describe a business environment where profit is prioritized over worker well-being, leading to mal payé jobs.
Dans la course au profit, les employés se retrouvent souvent mal payés.
CriticalFácil de confundir
As an adverb, 'mal' means 'badly' or 'poorly'. It's the 'mal' in 'mal payé'.
'Mal' modifies verbs or adjectives. In 'mal payé', it modifies 'payé' (paid), indicating the manner of payment. It's distinct from 'mauvais' (bad), which is an adjective.
Il travaille mal (He works badly). Ce travail est mal payé (This work is poorly paid).
This is the past participle of 'payer' (to pay), meaning 'paid'.
'Payé' on its own means 'paid' (e.g., 'Le travail est payé' - The work is paid). 'Mal payé' specifies *how* it is paid (poorly).
Le travail est payé. (The work is paid.) Le travail est mal payé. (The work is poorly paid.)
This is the direct antonym.
'Bien payé' means well-paid, the opposite of 'mal payé'.
C'est un emploi bien payé. (It's a well-paid job.) C'est un emploi mal payé. (It's a poorly paid job.)
This is the noun for 'salary'.
'Mal payé' is an adjective describing a job or position. 'Salaire' is the noun referring to the money earned. You can say 'un salaire bas' (a low salary) or describe the job as 'mal payé'.
Il a un bas salaire. (He has a low salary.) Son emploi est mal payé. (His job is poorly paid.)
This is a more formal synonym for salary/payment.
'Rémunération' is the noun for compensation. 'Mal payé' is an adjective describing the job or position associated with that compensation.
La rémunération est insuffisante. (The remuneration is insufficient.) C'est un poste mal payé. (It's a poorly paid position.)
Patrones de oraciones
Un/Une [job noun] mal payé(e).
C'est un emploi mal payé.
Le/La [job noun] est mal payé(e).
Ce métier est mal payé.
[Subject] est mal payé(e) pour [reason].
Il est mal payé pour le nombre d'heures qu'il fait.
[Subject] trouve [job/salary] mal payé(e).
Elle trouve son salaire mal payé.
Un [job noun] mal payé(e) mais [adjective].
Un travail mal payé mais intéressant.
La/Le [noun] rend les [jobs] mal payé(e)s.
Le manque de financement rend les postes mal payés.
Considérer [job/salary] comme mal payé(e).
Beaucoup considèrent ce travail comme mal payé.
La persistance de situations où [jobs] sont mal payé(e)s.
La persistance de situations où les emplois sont mal payés est un problème.
Familia de palabras
Sustantivos
Verbos
Adjetivos
Relacionado
Cómo usarlo
Very Frequent
-
Using 'mal' as 'bad' instead of 'badly'.
→
Mal payé (poorly paid)
The adverb 'mal' modifies the past participle 'payé' to mean 'paid in a poor manner'. Using 'mauvais' (bad) would be incorrect here. For example, 'C'est un travail mal payé,' not 'C'est un travail mauvais payé.'
-
Confusing 'mal payé' with 'pauvre salaire'.
→
Mal payé (for the job/position) or bas salaire (for the salary itself)
While 'pauvre salaire' might be understood, 'mal payé' is the standard idiomatic adjective for a job. 'Pauvre' can also mean unfortunate, making 'pauvre salaire' ambiguous. It's better to say 'un emploi mal payé' or 'un bas salaire'.
-
Incorrect agreement with feminine nouns.
→
Mal payée (with feminine nouns)
While often invariable, 'mal payé' can agree. For example, 'Elle a une tâche mal payée.' However, it's very common to see it invariantly, so context is key. Sticking to the invariable form for general job titles is safest if unsure.
-
Using 'mal payé' to describe the salary directly.
→
Un bas salaire or une faible rémunération
'Mal payé' describes the job or position. To describe the salary itself as low, use 'bas salaire' or 'faible rémunération'. For example, 'Il touche un bas salaire,' not 'Il touche un salaire mal payé.'
-
Overusing 'mal' with other verbs.
→
Appropriate verb + adverb combinations
'Mal' is common with 'payer' ('mal payé'), but other verbs may use different adverbs or structures. For instance, instead of 'mal travaillé', it's more common to say 'travail mal fait' (badly done work).
Consejos
Mastering the Sound
Focus on the open 'a' in 'mal' and the clear 'ay' sound in 'payé'. Practice saying 'mal payé' slowly at first, then speed up. Listen to native speakers to get the intonation right.
Expand Your Lexicon
Learn its synonyms like 'peu rémunéré' and 'sous-payé' to express nuances. Also, learn the antonym 'bien payé' for contrast.
Agreement Nuances
While 'mal payé' can agree with feminine or plural nouns (mal payée, mal payés), it's very common to see it used invariantly, especially when referring to a general job concept. Pay attention to context.
Mnemonic Aid
Connect 'mal' to 'sad' and 'payé' to money. A sad face because you don't have enough money – that's 'mal payé'.
Societal Relevance
Understand that 'mal payé' jobs are a significant topic in French society, often linked to discussions about fairness, value of work, and economic inequality.
Active Recall
Try to use 'mal payé' in your own sentences describing hypothetical or real jobs. The more you use it, the more natural it will become.
Avoid Pitfalls
Don't confuse 'mal' (badly) with 'mauvais' (bad). Also, remember that while 'salaire bas' (low salary) is correct, 'mal payé' is the idiomatic adjective for the job itself.
Hear it in Action
Listen to French news or podcasts discussing labor issues. You'll likely encounter 'mal payé' frequently in these contexts.
Real-World Use
When discussing your own work or someone else's, if the pay is low, 'mal payé' is the natural and common term to use.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of 'mal' as a 'sad' face 😞 and 'payé' as money 💰. So, 'mal payé' is like a sad face because you didn't get enough money.
Asociación visual
Imagine a tiny, sad-looking piggy bank with very little money inside, representing a 'mal payé' salary.
Word Web
Desafío
Try to explain to a friend why a particular job is 'mal payé' using at least three different related concepts (e.g., low salary, long hours, high cost of living).
Origen de la palabra
The term 'mal payé' is a compound adjective formed from the adverb 'mal' (badly, poorly) and the past participle of the verb 'payer' (to pay). This structure is common in French for creating adjectives that describe a state or condition resulting from an action.
Significado original: Literally 'badly paid'. The meaning has remained consistent, referring to low financial compensation.
Indo-European > Italic > Latin > FrenchContexto cultural
When discussing 'mal payé' jobs, it's important to be empathetic. While it's a factual description, it can relate to personal financial struggles and dignity. Avoid making light of the situation or appearing judgmental towards individuals in such roles.
In English-speaking countries, equivalents like 'poorly paid', 'low-paying job', 'underpaid', or 'low-wage work' are used. The concept of fair compensation and the struggle against low wages are universal.
Practica en la vida real
Contextos reales
Job Interviews and Salary Negotiations
- Je pense que ce poste est mal payé.
- Comment est la rémunération pour ce poste ?
- Est-ce que le salaire est compétitif ?
- Je cherche un emploi mieux payé.
Discussing Career Choices
- Ce métier est mal payé mais passionnant.
- Je ne veux pas faire un travail mal payé.
- Les métiers de la culture sont souvent mal payés.
- Il faut choisir un métier qui soit bien payé.
News and Social Commentary
- Les employés dénoncent des salaires mal payés.
- La précarité des emplois mal payés.
- Il faut augmenter les salaires mal payés.
- Un travail mal payé ne valorise pas le travailleur.
Everyday Conversations About Work
- Mon job est mal payé.
- C'est un emploi mal payé, mais j'apprends beaucoup.
- Elle est mal payée pour tout ce qu'elle fait.
- Je me sens mal payé.
Economic Discussions
- Les conséquences d'un travail mal payé.
- La lutte contre les emplois mal payés.
- Les secteurs mal payés de l'économie.
- Comment améliorer la situation des emplois mal payés ?
Inicios de conversación
"What kind of jobs do you think are generally mal payé in France?"
"Have you ever had a job that you felt was mal payé? How did it make you feel?"
"Do you think there's a connection between jobs being mal payé and their perceived importance in society?"
"What are some ways to make mal payé jobs more attractive or better compensated?"
"Is it better to have a job you love that is mal payé, or a job you don't like that is bien payé?"
Temas para diario
Describe a dream job and then consider if it would be mal payé or bien payé. Justify your reasoning.
Write about a time you felt your work was mal payé. What were the circumstances and how did you deal with it?
Imagine you are a politician advocating for workers in mal payé professions. What would be your main arguments?
Reflect on the societal value placed on different professions. How does this relate to whether they are mal payé or not?
If you could instantly change the salary of one type of mal payé job to be bien payé, which would it be and why?
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasThe literal translation of 'mal payé' is 'badly paid' or 'poorly paid'. 'Mal' means badly/poorly, and 'payé' is the past participle of 'payer' (to pay).
'Mal payé' is primarily used as an adjective to describe a job, position, or task. While you can say 'un salaire bas' (a low salary), you would typically say 'un travail mal payé' (a poorly paid job) rather than 'un salaire mal payé', although the latter is sometimes understood.
Yes, more formal alternatives include 'peu rémunéré' (poorly remunerated) and 'sous-payé' (underpaid). 'Rémunération insuffisante' (insufficient remuneration) is also used in formal contexts.
While primarily used for employment, it can occasionally be used metaphorically for activities where effort is not adequately rewarded, but this is less common and context-dependent. For example, 'Ce travail bénévole est mal payé en termes de reconnaissance' (This volunteer work is poorly paid in terms of recognition).
As an adjective, 'mal payé' can agree. For example, 'une tâche mal payée' (a poorly paid task) or 'des emplois mal payés' (poorly paid jobs). However, it is very frequently used invariantly, especially when referring to the general concept of a job or position.
The direct opposite is 'bien payé' (well-paid). Other related terms include 'mieux payé' (better-paid) and 'très bien payé' (very well-paid).
Yes, 'mal payé' is a very common and widely understood term in French, frequently used in everyday conversations, news, and discussions about labor and economics.
Certainly. 'C'est un emploi mal payé, mais il offre une bonne expérience.' (It's a poorly paid job, but it offers good experience.)
A 'mal payé' job often implies financial difficulty for the worker, potential dissatisfaction, and a lack of recognition for the effort or skills involved. It can also be linked to job insecurity or precarious working conditions.
'Mal payé' is a general term for poorly paid. 'Sous-payé' (underpaid) suggests that the salary is below what is considered fair or standard for that role or the market, often implying a degree of injustice.
Ponte a prueba 10 preguntas
/ 10 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The French term 'mal payé' directly translates to 'poorly paid' and is a common adjective used to describe jobs, positions, or tasks that offer a low salary or insufficient financial compensation. It's frequently used in everyday conversations, news reports, and social commentary to express dissatisfaction with wages that do not reflect the value or effort of the work performed. For example, 'Elle a un travail mal payé' means 'She has a poorly paid job.'
- Mal payé means poorly paid, describing jobs with low salaries.
- It's used to express dissatisfaction with insufficient financial compensation.
- Common in discussions about work, careers, and economic fairness.
- Can be used for jobs, positions, or tasks.
Mastering the Sound
Focus on the open 'a' in 'mal' and the clear 'ay' sound in 'payé'. Practice saying 'mal payé' slowly at first, then speed up. Listen to native speakers to get the intonation right.
Context is Key
Use 'mal payé' when discussing jobs, professions, or tasks where the salary is insufficient. Remember it's usually an adjective following the noun it describes.
Expand Your Lexicon
Learn its synonyms like 'peu rémunéré' and 'sous-payé' to express nuances. Also, learn the antonym 'bien payé' for contrast.
Agreement Nuances
While 'mal payé' can agree with feminine or plural nouns (mal payée, mal payés), it's very common to see it used invariantly, especially when referring to a general job concept. Pay attention to context.
Contenido relacionado
Más palabras de work
à distance
A2A distancia, sin presencia física en el lugar.
à durée déterminée
B1For a fixed or definite period; fixed-term.
à durée indéterminée
B1De duración indefinida; permanente.
à la fin
A2Al final de algo.
à la journée
B1Diario, o por la duración o pago de un solo día.
à la semaine
B1Weekly, by the week.
à l'année
B1Annually, by the year.
à l'attention de
B1A la atención de; se utiliza en la correspondencia formal para dirigir un documento a una persona específica.
à l'avance
A2Hacer algo con antelación o de antemano.
à l'issue de
A2Al final de; al término de. Se utiliza para indicar la conclusión de un evento formal o un proceso específico.
