In 15 Seconds
- Refers to a single task or job.
- Emphasizes focus over multitasking.
- Commonly used to simplify responsibilities.
Meaning
This phrase refers to having only one single task or piece of work to focus on. It emphasizes a lack of variety or a singular focus in what you are doing.
Key Examples
3 of 6Explaining your daily schedule
J'ai un seul travail à faire aujourd'hui.
I have only one job to do today.
In a project meeting
C'est le seul travail restant pour ce projet.
It is the only work remaining for this project.
Texting a friend about being busy
Désolé, un seul travail m'occupe toute la soirée.
Sorry, one single job is keeping me busy all evening.
Cultural Background
The French value 'le droit à la déconnexion', meaning that even if you have 'un seul travail', you are not expected to do it after 6 PM. In Quebec, 'job' is often used instead of 'travail' in informal speech, so you might hear 'une seule job' (note that 'job' is often feminine in Quebec). In French-speaking West Africa, 'travail' can refer to any effort or task, even small favors for family. Belgians use 'travail' similarly to the French, but might use 'ouvrage' in more traditional or rural contexts.
The 'Only' Rule
When 'seul' means 'only', it almost always comes before the noun. This is a rare exception to the French 'adjectives go after' rule.
Plural Pitfall
The plural of 'travail' is 'travaux'. So 'only one job' is 'un seul travail', but 'the only jobs' is 'les seuls travaux'.
In 15 Seconds
- Refers to a single task or job.
- Emphasizes focus over multitasking.
- Commonly used to simplify responsibilities.
What It Means
Imagine you have a mountain of chores. Now, imagine someone takes them all away except for one. That’s the vibe here. It’s about having one single task or one specific job to do. In French, when you want to say "just one job," you use this combination. It’s the opposite of being a "jack of all trades." It’s about focus. It’s about that one thing on your to-do list that actually matters. It simplifies your life.
How To Use It
You’ll mostly see this in sentences where you’re limiting your scope. Even though the grammar in the phrase des seul travail is a bit shaky (usually you'd say un seul travail), the core idea is placing seul right before travail. It acts like a spotlight. It tells everyone, "Hey, look at this one thing!" It’s like saying "single" or "only" in English. You use it to define your current mission.
When To Use It
Use it when you’re feeling overwhelmed and need to simplify. Or, use it when you’re bragging about how easy your day is. "I only have one job today!" is a classic use case. It’s great for meetings when you want to clarify your responsibility. It’s also handy when you’re explaining a complex machine that has only one function. It helps set clear expectations with others.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this if you’re talking about your career in general. If you have multiple tasks, using seul will confuse people. Also, watch your grammar! In French, des is plural, so using it with singular seul and travail is a common beginner mistake. Usually, you’d want un or le to be grammatically perfect. Don't use it for people; seul means "lonely" when describing a person.
Cultural Background
The French take pride in "l'artisanat" (craftsmanship). There’s a cultural respect for doing one thing perfectly rather than ten things poorly. While the modern world loves multitasking, the French soul often yearns for un seul travail done with elegance and precision. It’s the "quality over quantity" mindset. This reflects the value of "le travail bien fait"—work well done.
Common Variations
If you’re talking to friends, you might say un seul boulot. Boulot is the informal word for work. If it’s a tiny task, you could say une seule tâche. If you’re feeling extra dramatic, you could say mon unique travail (my unique/only work). You can also use un seul truc if you're being very casual.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral but requires correct article agreement (un/le) to sound natural. Avoid using 'des' unless you are making the entire phrase plural (des seuls travaux).
The 'Only' Rule
When 'seul' means 'only', it almost always comes before the noun. This is a rare exception to the French 'adjectives go after' rule.
Plural Pitfall
The plural of 'travail' is 'travaux'. So 'only one job' is 'un seul travail', but 'the only jobs' is 'les seuls travaux'.
Boulot vs Travail
Use 'boulot' with friends to sound more like a native, but stick to 'travail' in your French exams!
Examples
6J'ai un seul travail à faire aujourd'hui.
I have only one job to do today.
Uses 'un seul' for grammatical correctness in a common setting.
C'est le seul travail restant pour ce projet.
It is the only work remaining for this project.
Shows a singular focus on a remaining task.
Désolé, un seul travail m'occupe toute la soirée.
Sorry, one single job is keeping me busy all evening.
Informal way to explain why you can't hang out.
Tu avais un seul travail : ne pas brûler les pâtes !
You had one job: don't burn the pasta!
The classic 'you had one job' meme translated to French.
C'est le seul travail qui donne du sens à ma vie.
It's the only work that gives meaning to my life.
A more dramatic and emotional use of the phrase.
Concentrez-vous sur un seul travail à la fois.
Focus on one single task at a time.
Used to encourage focus and productivity.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'seul' or 'seule'.
J'ai un ______ travail à faire ce soir.
'Travail' is masculine singular, so we use 'seul'.
Which sentence means 'I have only one task'?
Choose the correct sentence:
The adjective 'seul' must come before the noun to mean 'only one'.
Match the French phrase to its English meaning.
Match the pairs:
These are the standard translations for these variations.
Complete the dialogue.
Boss: Tu as beaucoup de projets ? You: Non, j'ai ______.
'Un seul travail' is the correct singular masculine form.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Work Vocabulary
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJ'ai un ______ travail à faire ce soir.
'Travail' is masculine singular, so we use 'seul'.
Choose the correct sentence:
The adjective 'seul' must come before the noun to mean 'only one'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the standard translations for these variations.
Boss: Tu as beaucoup de projets ? You: Non, j'ai ______.
'Un seul travail' is the correct singular masculine form.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, 'seulement' is an adverb and cannot modify a noun directly in this way. Use the adjective 'seul'.
Yes, 'le travail' is always masculine. The feminine version 'travaille' is a verb form (he/she works).
Use 'une seule tâche'. The adjective 'seul' becomes 'seule'.
It is neutral. It's appropriate for both a job interview and a chat with a friend.
'Des' is plural and 'travail' is singular. They don't match. You must use 'un' for one.
Yes, 'un seul travail' is very common for a single school assignment.
Yes, but only when it comes after the noun or stands alone (e.g., 'Je suis seul').
You would say 'J'ai qu'un seul taf'.
Yes, 'job' is an anglicism used in France, but 'travail' is the standard French word.
Yes, 'un unique travail' is more formal and emphasizes that there is absolutely no other.
Related Phrases
une seule tâche
synonymone single task
un travail unique
similara unique job
plusieurs travaux
contrastseveral works/tasks
un seul boulot
informalone single job
travailler seul
builds onto work alone
