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A2 noun #9,000 most common 12 min read

corvée

Top 9,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips corvée in 30 Seconds

Explanation corvée in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'corvée' as a simple word for things you don't like to do at home. Think about the chores you do every day. Do you like cleaning your room? Do you like washing the dishes? If the answer is 'no,' then those things are 'corvées.' It is a feminine noun, so you say 'une corvée.' You will mostly use it with the verb 'faire' (to do). For example, 'Je fais mes corvées.' This level is about basic identification of the word in a domestic context. You don't need to know the history of the word yet, just that it is a 'bad task.' It is very common in families. If you are a student, you might think homework is a 'corvée.' Remember that it is always 'la' or 'une' corvée. This word helps you talk about your daily routine and express simple feelings about what you do in your free time versus what you must do for work or home.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'corvée' in more complete sentences and understand its role in social interaction. You should be able to describe specific tasks as chores using the structure 'C'est une corvée de...' followed by an infinitive verb. For example, 'C'est une corvée de faire les courses le samedi.' You should also recognize the plural 'les corvées' when talking about general housework. At this stage, you are learning to distinguish between 'une tâche' (a task) and 'une corvée' (a chore). A task is just something to do, but a 'corvée' is something you find boring or difficult. You might hear this word in a restaurant if a waiter is complaining about cleaning the tables, or at school. It is a good word to use when you want to sound more natural and expressive about your daily life. You can also use adjectives like 'ennuyeuse' (boring) or 'longue' (long) to describe your corvée.

At the B1 level, you should understand the nuance of 'corvée' beyond just household cleaning. You can use it to describe social or professional obligations that you find tedious. For instance, if you have to attend a long meeting that feels useless, you can say 'Cette réunion était une vraie corvée.' You should also be comfortable using more idiomatic verbs with it, such as 'se taper une corvée' (to be stuck with a chore), which is very common in informal spoken French. You are beginning to see how the word fits into the French 'art de vivre'—the idea that life should be enjoyed, and anything that gets in the way of that enjoyment is a 'corvée.' You should also be able to use the word in the past tense to talk about things you had to do. 'Hier, je me suis occupé des corvées ménagères toute la journée.' This level requires a better grasp of the emotional tone the word carries.

At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the historical and cultural underpinnings of 'corvée.' You should know that it originates from feudal labor obligations and that this history still colors the word today with a sense of 'forced labor.' You can use the word metaphorically in discussions about society, politics, or literature. For example, you might discuss whether voting should be a right or a 'corvée.' You should also be able to distinguish 'corvée' from more formal terms like 'astreinte' (professional duty) or 'obligation.' At this level, you can use the word to add flavor to your writing and speaking, using it to create a specific mood of weariness or frustration. You should also be familiar with common collocations like 'corvée de bois' or 'corvée de quartier' and understand their historical contexts in military life. Your use of the word should reflect a deep understanding of French social attitudes toward work and leisure.

At the C1 level, your use of 'corvée' should be sophisticated and precise. You can use it to analyze texts or discuss complex social issues. You might use it to describe the 'corvée' of administrative life in a critique of bureaucracy. You should be able to appreciate the word's use in classical and modern literature, where it often serves as a symbol for the repetitive and sometimes soul-crushing nature of modern existence. You can use it in a variety of registers, from the very informal slang of 'se taper une corvée' to a more intellectual discussion about the 'corvées' of citizenship. You should also be able to identify and use synonyms with very fine distinctions, such as 'pensum' for a tedious intellectual task or 'labeur' for a more heroic or physical struggle. Your pronunciation should be perfect, and you should be able to use the word to express subtle irony or sarcasm in conversation.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of 'corvée.' You can use it with all its historical, social, and emotional resonance. You might use it in a philosophical essay to discuss the nature of work versus labor, or in a high-level business negotiation to dismiss a minor point as a mere 'corvée administrative.' You understand the word's evolution from a legal term to a common complaint and can use this knowledge to enrich your communication. You are familiar with the most obscure idioms and historical references related to the word. You can play with the word's meaning in creative writing, perhaps personifying a 'corvée' to describe a character's internal struggle. Your understanding of the word is not just linguistic but cultural; you know that 'corvée' is a key concept in the French psyche, representing the friction between the individual's desire for freedom and the collective's demand for order and maintenance.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

corvée in 30 Seconds

A 'corvée' is an unpleasant, mandatory task or chore that one performs with reluctance, typically in a domestic or administrative context.
The word is a feminine noun (la corvée) and is often used in the plural (les corvées) to describe general housework or boring duties.
Historically, it stems from feudal unpaid labor, which gives it a much stronger sense of being 'forced' than the English word 'chore'.
Commonly paired with the verb 'faire' or the informal 'se taper', it is a staple of daily French conversation about life's little frustrations.

The French word corvée is a noun that captures a specific feeling of reluctance and obligation. While it is often translated simply as 'chore' or 'task' in English, its weight in French is significantly heavier, carrying a historical legacy of forced labor and modern-day drudgery. When you use this word, you are not just describing an activity; you are expressing a subjective distaste for it. It is the word of choice for anything that feels like a burden, whether it is a physical task like scrubbing floors or a mental one like filling out complex tax forms.

Historical Context: In the feudal system of the Middle Ages, the corvée was a form of unpaid, statutory labor that peasants owed to their lords. This history is crucial because it explains why the word feels so 'forced' today. It wasn't just work; it was work you were legally bound to do for someone else's benefit.

Nettoyer la salle de bain après la fête était une véritable corvée.

Cleaning the bathroom after the party was a real chore.

In modern daily life, a corvée usually refers to household maintenance. However, it can also describe social obligations that one finds tedious. For example, attending a long, boring meeting or visiting a distant relative out of pure duty can be described as a corvée. The word is intrinsically linked to the concept of 'unpleasant necessity.' If you enjoy doing it, it is no longer a corvée.

Register and Tone: The word is neutral to slightly informal. It is perfectly acceptable in a professional setting to describe administrative burdens, but it is most common in domestic venting among friends and family.

Je me tape toujours la corvée de vaisselle le dimanche soir.

I always get stuck with the chore of doing the dishes on Sunday night.

Linguistically, the word is feminine: la corvée. It is often used in the plural, les corvées, to describe the general list of things one must do around the house. In a military context, la corvée de quartier refers to the cleaning and maintenance of the barracks, further reinforcing the idea of mandatory, non-specialized labor.

Remplir ces formulaires administratifs est une corvée sans fin.

Filling out these administrative forms is an endless chore.

Emotional Nuance: Unlike the English word 'work,' which can be rewarding, 'corvée' is almost never rewarding. It is the part of life that you endure so that you can later enjoy your free time.

Pour lui, aller au gymnase est une corvée, pas un plaisir.

For him, going to the gym is a chore, not a pleasure.

Ultimately, mastering the use of 'corvée' allows you to connect with French speakers on a very human level: the shared dislike of life's little inconveniences. It is a word that builds solidarity through common frustration.

Using corvée correctly requires an understanding of the verbs that typically accompany it. Because it describes an activity, it is most often the direct object of a verb or the subject of a descriptive sentence. The most common verb used with it is faire (to do). You will hear people say faire les corvées or faire sa corvée.

Common Verbs

Faire: The standard 'to do'.
Se taper: A very common informal way to say 'to be stuck with'.
S'acquitter de: A formal way to say 'to fulfill/complete'.
Éviter: To avoid.

Je me suis tapé la corvée de bois tout l'hiver.

I was stuck with the chore of hauling wood all winter.

When describing a task as a chore, you use the structure C'est une corvée de + [infinitive]. For example, C'est une corvée de repasser les chemises (It is a chore to iron shirts). You can also use it as a predicate nominative: Le ménage est une corvée (Cleaning is a chore). Note that the word is always feminine, regardless of who is performing the task.

Adjective Pairings: To emphasize how bad a task is, French speakers use adjectives like pénible (painful/tiresome), quotidienne (daily), ingrate (thankless), or insupportable (unbearable).

C'est une corvée ingrate que personne ne veut faire.

It's a thankless chore that nobody wants to do.

In a more abstract sense, you can use 'corvée' to describe an entire event. If a wedding is long, hot, and you don't know anyone, you might tell a friend later, Ce mariage était une vraie corvée. This usage highlights the subjective nature of the word; someone else might have loved the wedding, but for you, it was work.

Elle considère la cuisine comme une corvée nécessaire.

She considers cooking a necessary chore.

Plural Usage: When talking about the general list of things to do at home, 'les corvées ménagères' is the standard phrase. It encompasses everything from vacuuming to taking out the trash.

Nous partageons les corvées équitablement dans la maison.

We share the chores fairly in the house.

Remember that 'corvée' is a noun. Beginners often try to use it as an adjective (e.g., *C'est corvée*), but it must always have an article: C'est une corvée. Practice using it with the verb 'devenir' (to become) to describe how a hobby can lose its spark: Ma passion pour le jardinage est devenue une corvée.

The word corvée is ubiquitous in French-speaking environments because it addresses a universal human experience: doing things we don't want to do. You will hear it most frequently in domestic settings, but its reach extends into offices, schools, and even the media.

In the Home: This is the primary domain of 'corvée'. Parents use it when assigning tasks to children: 'C'est ta corvée de sortir la poubelle.' Couples use it when negotiating labor: 'J'ai fait les courses, c'est ta corvée de ranger.'

Les enfants voient les devoirs comme une corvée ennuyeuse.

Children see homework as a boring chore.

In the workplace, 'corvée' is used to describe repetitive or low-value tasks that are nonetheless necessary. If a team has to manually enter data into a spreadsheet for eight hours, you will undoubtedly hear someone sigh and call it a corvée monstrueuse. It's a way for colleagues to bond over the less glamorous aspects of their jobs.

In Military and History: If you watch French films about World War I or II, or read historical novels, 'corvée' appears frequently. It refers to the fatigue duties soldiers had to perform, like digging trenches or cleaning latrines. The 'corvée de bois' (wood duty) is a specific historical term that sometimes had darker, more violent connotations in military history.

Le sergent a désigné trois hommes pour la corvée de cuisine.

The sergeant designated three men for kitchen duty.

In the news or political discourse, you might hear 'corvée' used metaphorically to describe a difficult diplomatic task or a legislative process that is viewed as tedious but required. For instance, a journalist might describe a long counting process after an election as a corvée électorale.

Pour certains, voter est devenu une corvée plutôt qu'un droit.

For some, voting has become a chore rather than a right.

Literature and Cinema: The word appears in the works of Balzac and Zola to highlight the grueling lives of the working class. Modern French cinema often uses the 'corvée' of daily life as a comedic or dramatic device to show the friction in relationships.

Le film explore la corvée du quotidien dans une petite ville.

The film explores the drudgery of daily life in a small town.

In summary, 'corvée' is a word that bridges the gap between the mundane and the historical. It is a powerful way to convey that something is not just work, but work that feels heavy and uninspired.

English speakers learning French often face a few hurdles when using the word corvée. The most common mistakes are related to gender, confusion with similar-sounding English words, and misapplying the register of the word.

Mistake 1: The Gender Trap: Many learners assume 'corvée' is masculine because it ends in a sound that doesn't clearly signal femininity to an English ear. However, it is strictly feminine. Saying 'un corvée' is a frequent error. Always remember: une corvée, la corvée.

Incorrect: C'est un corvée difficile.
Correct: C'est une corvée difficile.

Another mistake is confusing 'corvée' with 'choreography' or other English words that start with 'chor-'. While 'corvée' sounds a bit like 'chore,' it has no etymological link to 'choir' or 'choreography.' Using it in those contexts will lead to significant confusion.

Mistake 2: Overuse for Professional Tasks: While you can use 'corvée' for boring office tasks, using it to describe your entire job to your boss might be seen as offensive. It implies that everything you do for them is a miserable burden. Use 'mission' or 'tâche' in formal performance reviews.

Risky: Ma corvée principale est de gérer les clients.
Better: Ma tâche principale est de gérer les clients.

A third mistake is using 'corvée' as a verb. In English, we can say 'I am choring,' but in French, corvée is strictly a noun. You must use a verb like faire or s'occuper de with it. You cannot say *Je corvée.*

Incorrect: Je corvée le samedi matin.
Correct: Je fais mes corvées le samedi matin.

Mistake 4: Missing the Plural Nuance: When talking about 'housework' in general, English speakers often use the singular 'chore.' In French, when referring to the collective group of household tasks, the plural 'les corvées' is much more natural.

Il a fini toutes ses corvées avant midi.

He finished all his chores before noon.

Finally, be careful with the pronunciation. The 'r' in French is uvular, and the 'v' is crisp. Some learners accidentally pronounce it like 'curvey' or 'corvey' with an English 'r', which makes it hard for natives to understand. Focus on the 'cor-' (like 'core' but with a French R) and '-vée' (like 'vay').

To truly master the concept of a 'chore' in French, you need to know when to use corvée and when to opt for a synonym. French has several words for 'task' or 'work,' each with a specific nuance of effort, obligation, and formality.

Corvée vs. Tâche: Tâche is the most neutral word for 'task.' It is objective. A 'tâche' can be pleasant or unpleasant. A 'corvée' is always unpleasant. If you are writing a to-do list, you list your 'tâches.' If you are complaining about that list, you call them 'corvées.'
Corvée vs. Ménage: Ménage specifically refers to housework (cleaning, dusting). While 'le ménage' is often a 'corvée,' the two are not interchangeable. 'Ménage' is the category; 'corvée' is the feeling about the category.

La tâche est simple, mais elle devient une corvée quand on est fatigué.

The task is simple, but it becomes a chore when one is tired.

For more intense labor, you might use labeur. This is a more literary or heavy word, often implying physical exhaustion or long-term struggle. You wouldn't call washing a single plate a 'labeur,' but you might call building a stone wall a 'dur labeur.' 'Corvée' sits in the middle: more annoying than a 'tâche,' but less epic than 'labeur.'

Other Alternatives

Obligation: Used when the focus is on the legal or moral requirement.
Pensum: An old-fashioned word (originally a school punishment) for a tedious task.
Astreinte: A professional term for being 'on call' or a specific duty.

Réviser la grammaire n'est pas une corvée si on aime la langue !

Reviewing grammar isn't a chore if you love the language!

In a military or very structured environment, you might hear service. While 'service' is generally positive (serving one's country), a 'service de garde' (guard duty) is often viewed by the person doing it as a 'corvée.' The choice of word reveals the speaker's attitude toward their duty.

Il considère l'entretien de sa voiture comme un mal nécessaire.

He considers the maintenance of his car as a necessary evil (similar to corvée).

By diversifying your vocabulary with these alternatives, you can express exactly how much you dislike a task. Are you just busy (tâche)? Are you annoyed (corvée)? Or are you suffering (labeur)? The distinction is key to sounding like a native speaker.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In the 18th century, the 'corvée royale' was a major grievance of the French people. It forced peasants to work on the King's roads without pay. This resentment was one of the many sparks that led to the French Revolution in 1789.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kɔʁ.ve/

US /kɔɹ.veɪ/

The stress is equal on both syllables, with a slight rise on the final '-vée'.

Rhymes With

arrivée prouvée trouvée levée pavée dérivée privée gravée

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like 'curvy' with an English 'u' sound.
Ignoring the 'r' entirely or making it too soft.
Pronouncing the final 'e' as a short 'eh' instead of a long 'ay'.
Treating it as three syllables (cor-vé-e) instead of two.
Nasalizing the 'o' (it is not a nasal vowel).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The word is short and appears frequently in simple texts. It is easy to recognize once learned.

Writing 3/5

Remembering the double 'e' at the end and the feminine gender is the main challenge.

Speaking 3/5

The French 'r' and the 'v' sound require some practice for English speakers.

Listening 2/5

It is a distinct-sounding word that stands out in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

faire maison travail tâche nettoyer

Learn Next

ménage vaisselle pénible astreinte besogne

Advanced

féodalisme aliénation fastidieux ingrat pensum

Grammar to Know

Feminine nouns ending in '-ée'

La corvée, l'idée, la pensée.

Using 'de' after 'C'est une corvée'

C'est une corvée de nettoyer.

Agreement of adjectives with feminine nouns

Une corvée longue et pénible.

Pluralization of nouns

Une corvée -> Des corvées.

Verb 'faire' with domestic activities

Faire la vaisselle, faire les corvées.

Examples by Level

La vaisselle est une corvée.

The dishes are a chore.

Simple subject + verb 'être' + noun.

Je fais ma corvée.

I am doing my chore.

Verb 'faire' in the present tense.

C'est une petite corvée.

It is a small chore.

Use of 'petite' as an adjective.

Maman, je déteste cette corvée !

Mom, I hate this chore!

Exclamatory sentence with 'détester'.

Une corvée pour toi, un plaisir pour moi.

A chore for you, a pleasure for me.

Comparison between two nouns.

Il y a une corvée à faire.

There is a chore to do.

Use of 'il y a'.

La corvée est finie.

The chore is finished.

Past participle 'finie' agreeing with feminine noun.

Quelle corvée !

What a chore!

Exclamatory 'quelle' for feminine nouns.

C'est une corvée de ranger ma chambre.

It's a chore to tidy my room.

C'est + une corvée + de + infinitive.

Nous partageons les corvées à la maison.

We share the chores at home.

Plural noun 'les corvées'.

Faire les courses est une corvée le samedi.

Doing the shopping is a chore on Saturdays.

Gerund-like use of infinitive as subject.

Je n'aime pas les corvées ménagères.

I don't like household chores.

Adjective 'ménagères' modifying 'corvées'.

C'est ta corvée de sortir le chien.

It's your chore to take the dog out.

Possessive adjective 'ta'.

Elle trouve que cuisiner est une corvée.

She finds that cooking is a chore.

Verb 'trouver que' + clause.

Après le dîner, c'est la corvée de vaisselle.

After dinner, it's the dish-washing chore.

Noun + de + noun.

Je cherche une solution pour éviter cette corvée.

I am looking for a solution to avoid this chore.

Verb 'éviter' with the noun.

Je me suis tapé la corvée de nettoyage tout seul.

I was stuck with the cleaning chore all by myself.

Informal verb 'se taper'.

Remplir ces papiers est une véritable corvée administrative.

Filling out these papers is a real administrative chore.

Adjective 'administrative' adding specificity.

Il considère son travail comme une corvée quotidienne.

He considers his work as a daily chore.

Preposition 'comme'.

On a fini les corvées, on peut enfin se reposer.

We finished the chores, we can finally rest.

Use of 'on' as 'we'.

C'est une corvée ingrate dont personne ne veut s'occuper.

It's a thankless chore that no one wants to take care of.

Relative pronoun 'dont'.

Elle a délégué ses corvées à un assistant.

She delegated her chores to an assistant.

Verb 'déléguer'.

La corvée de bois était difficile pendant l'hiver.

The wood-gathering chore was difficult during the winter.

Historical/situational phrase 'corvée de bois'.

Éviter les corvées est devenu son sport favori.

Avoiding chores has become his favorite sport.

Metaphorical use of 'sport favori'.

Le sergent a désigné les soldats pour la corvée de quartier.

The sergeant designated the soldiers for barracks duty.

Military context of the word.

S'acquitter de cette corvée lui a pris toute la matinée.

Fulfilling this chore took him all morning.

Formal verb 's'acquitter de'.

Le vote ne devrait pas être perçu comme une corvée.

Voting should not be perceived as a chore.

Passive voice 'être perçu'.

Elle redoutait la corvée des cadeaux de Noël chaque année.

She dreaded the chore of Christmas gifts every year.

Verb 'redouter' (to dread).

Le passage à l'âge adulte apporte son lot de corvées.

Transitioning to adulthood brings its share of chores.

Idiomatic 'son lot de'.

C'est une corvée fastidieuse mais nécessaire pour la sécurité.

It is a tedious but necessary chore for safety.

Adjective 'fastidieuse'.

Il s'est soustrait à la corvée en prétendant être malade.

He escaped the chore by pretending to be sick.

Reflexive verb 'se soustraire à'.

La corvée de ramassage des feuilles commence en automne.

The leaf-raking chore begins in autumn.

Noun phrase construction.

L'écrivain décrit la corvée du quotidien avec une précision chirurgicale.

The writer describes the drudgery of daily life with surgical precision.

Literary analysis context.

On ne peut réduire la citoyenneté à une simple corvée fiscale.

One cannot reduce citizenship to a simple tax chore.

Abstract metaphorical usage.

Il s'est astreint à cette corvée pour prouver sa loyauté.

He forced himself into this chore to prove his loyalty.

Reflexive verb 's'astreindre à'.

La corvée de bois, jadis une peine, est devenue un loisir pour certains.

Wood-gathering, once a punishment, has become a hobby for some.

Contrast between historical and modern meanings.

Le film illustre l'aliénation par la corvée répétitive.

The film illustrates alienation through repetitive drudgery.

Academic vocabulary (aliénation).

Elle a transformé ce qui était une corvée en un rituel apaisant.

She transformed what was a chore into a soothing ritual.

Complex relative clause 'ce qui était'.

L'administration croule sous les corvées de vérification.

The administration is crumbling under the chores of verification.

Metaphorical verb 'crouler'.

Cette corvée intellectuelle exige une concentration absolue.

This intellectual chore requires absolute concentration.

Adjective 'intellectuelle' modifying 'corvée'.

L'existence même semblait lui peser comme une corvée sans fin.

Existence itself seemed to weigh on him like an endless chore.

Philosophical/Existential usage.

La corvée, relique du féodalisme, survit dans nos sémantiques domestiques.

The 'corvée', a relic of feudalism, survives in our domestic semantics.

Historical linguistic analysis.

Il s'est libéré des corvées matérielles pour se consacrer à l'esprit.

He freed himself from material chores to devote himself to the spirit.

Opposition of material vs. spiritual.

Le protocole diplomatique est une corvée de chaque instant pour l'ambassadeur.

Diplomatic protocol is a constant chore for the ambassador.

High-register professional context.

Subir la corvée du paraître est le prix de la célébrité.

Enduring the chore of appearances is the price of fame.

Abstract noun 'le paraître'.

L'automatisation promet la fin de la corvée, mais à quel prix social ?

Automation promises the end of drudgery, but at what social cost?

Sociological questioning.

Elle maniait l'ironie pour masquer la corvée de sa condition.

She used irony to mask the drudgery of her condition.

Literary character description.

Le pensum scolaire est la corvée originelle de tout intellectuel.

School drudgery is the original chore of every intellectual.

Synonym 'pensum' used alongside 'corvée'.

Common Collocations

faire les corvées

corvée ménagère

corvée administrative

se taper une corvée

véritable corvée

corvée de bois

corvée de quartier

s'acquitter d'une corvée

corvée quotidienne

échapper à la corvée

Common Phrases

C'est une corvée.

— It's a chore. Used to express that something is annoying to do.

Ranger le garage ? C'est une corvée !

Quelle corvée !

— What a chore! An exclamation of frustration.

Trois heures de repassage ? Quelle corvée !

Partager les corvées.

— To share the chores. Often used in the context of household equality.

Il est juste de partager les corvées dans la maison.

Une corvée ingrate.

— A thankless chore. A task that is hard and for which you get no thanks.

Nettoyer les toilettes est une corvée ingrate.

Se soustraire à la corvée.

— To avoid or escape the chore. Often implies trickery or laziness.

Il a prétexté un rendez-vous pour se soustraire à la corvée.

La corvée de vaisselle.

— The dish-washing chore. One of the most common specific uses.

C'est à ton tour pour la corvée de vaisselle.

Finir ses corvées.

— To finish one's chores. Used before moving on to leisure activities.

Finis tes corvées avant d'aller jouer dehors.

Une corvée sans fin.

— An endless chore. Describes a task that seems to never be completed.

Le tri des archives est une corvée sans fin.

Désigner pour la corvée.

— To designate or pick someone for a chore. Often used in groups or military.

Le professeur a désigné deux élèves pour la corvée de ramassage.

Prendre en charge les corvées.

— To take charge of the chores. To be the one responsible for them.

Elle a pris en charge toutes les corvées pendant son absence.

Often Confused With

corvée vs tâche

'Tâche' is neutral, whereas 'corvée' is always negative and implies a burden.

corvée vs corbeau

'Corbeau' means crow. They sound vaguely similar at the start but are completely different.

corvée vs courbe

'Courbe' means curve. Beginners might confuse the pronunciation.

Idioms & Expressions

"Se taper la corvée de bois"

— Originally a military term for fetching wood, it now means to be stuck with a very annoying task.

Je me suis tapé la corvée de bois pendant que les autres s'amusaient.

informal

"Être de corvée"

— To be on duty or specifically assigned to a chore at a given time.

Je ne peux pas sortir ce soir, je suis de corvée de baby-sitting.

neutral

"C'est le pensum"

— While using 'pensum', it is an idiom for saying something is a boring, repetitive task.

Lire ce dossier technique, c'est vraiment le pensum.

formal/literary

"Une corvée de quartier"

— Specifically barracks cleaning, but used metaphorically for any group cleaning effort.

Allez, tout le monde, c'est l'heure de la corvée de quartier dans le salon !

neutral/military

"S'acquitter de sa corvée"

— To do one's duty, usually implying it was done with discipline but no joy.

Il s'est acquitté de sa corvée fiscale sans se plaindre.

formal

"La corvée de patates"

— Potato-peeling duty. A classic military trope for a low-level, boring task.

Si tu continues tes bêtises, tu seras de corvée de patates !

informal

"Une corvée de chaque instant"

— Something that requires constant, annoying attention.

S'occuper de ce vieux moteur est une corvée de chaque instant.

neutral

"Faire sa corvée"

— To do what one must do, often used with a sense of resignation.

Chacun doit faire sa corvée pour que la maison reste propre.

neutral

"La corvée de l'eau"

— Fetching water. Historically a literal task, now used for any basic supply run.

C'est qui qui se tape la corvée de l'eau pour le camping ?

neutral

"Être désigné d'office pour la corvée"

— To be automatically picked for a chore without being asked.

Comme il était le dernier arrivé, il a été désigné d'office pour la corvée.

neutral

Easily Confused

corvée vs tâche

Both mean 'task' or 'job'.

A 'tâche' is objective and can be positive. A 'corvée' is subjective and always negative.

Cuisiner est ma tâche préférée, ce n'est pas une corvée.

corvée vs ménage

Both are related to housework.

'Ménage' is the act of cleaning the house. 'Corvée' is the feeling that the work is a chore.

Je fais le ménage, mais c'est une corvée.

corvée vs besogne

Both refer to work to be done.

'Besogne' implies hard, serious work, often manual. 'Corvée' implies annoying, mandatory work.

Il abat une grosse besogne, même si c'est une corvée.

corvée vs pensum

Both refer to boring tasks.

'Pensum' is specifically for long, boring intellectual or school tasks. 'Corvée' is broader.

Écrire cet essai est un pensum, une vraie corvée.

corvée vs astreinte

Both imply an obligation.

'Astreinte' is a technical term for being on call for work. 'Corvée' is a general term for a chore.

Son astreinte le samedi est une corvée pour lui.

Sentence Patterns

La [Task] est une corvée.

La vaisselle est une corvée.

C'est une corvée de [Verb].

C'est une corvée de ranger.

Je me tape la corvée de [Noun].

Je me tape la corvée de poubelle.

[Noun] est perçu comme une corvée.

Le vote est perçu comme une corvée.

S'acquitter de la corvée de [Noun].

S'acquitter de la corvée de vérification.

La corvée du [Noun] pèse sur [Subject].

La corvée du paraître pèse sur lui.

Éviter la corvée en [Verb-ing].

Éviter la corvée en prétendant dormir.

Partager les corvées [Adverb].

Partager les corvées équitablement.

Word Family

Nouns

corvée (the chore itself)

Verbs

No direct verb exists (one must use 'faire une corvée').

Adjectives

corvéable (liable to the corvée, or someone who can be easily exploited for work).

corvéabilité

taille (another historical tax)

impôt

tâche

travail

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in daily life and administration.

Common Mistakes

Un corvée → Une corvée
Corvée is a feminine noun. You must use 'une' or 'la'.
Je corvée le matin. → Je fais mes corvées le matin.
Corvée is a noun, not a verb. You need to use the verb 'faire'.
C'est un corvée de cuisiner. → C'est une corvée de cuisiner.
Again, the gender must be feminine.
Using 'corvée' for a fun task. → Using 'plaisir' or 'loisir'.
Corvée is exclusively for tasks you do not like.
Confusing 'corvée' with 'choreography'. → Chorégraphie
They sound similar but have completely different meanings.

Tips

Remember the Gender

Always pair 'corvée' with feminine articles like 'une' or 'la'. Even though it doesn't end in 'e' (it ends in 'ée'), it is feminine. Think of 'une idée' to help you remember.

Use it to Sound Native

Native French speakers love to complain about mundane tasks. Using 'corvée' instead of 'travail' or 'chose à faire' makes your French sound much more authentic and expressive.

The Power of Plural

When you have a whole day of cleaning ahead, use 'les corvées'. It sounds more overwhelming and accurately describes the variety of tasks you have to face.

Focus on the Final Sound

The '-vée' should sound like a clear 'vay'. Don't let it trail off or turn into a short 'eh' sound. A clear final vowel is key to being understood.

Historical Depth

Remember that 'corvée' has a history of forced labor. Using it adds a touch of dramatic 'suffering' to your complaints, which is very French!

Domestic Mastery

Use 'corvée' when talking about dishes, laundry, or vacuuming. These are the most common scenarios where the word is used in everyday life.

Se Taper la Corvée

Learn the phrase 'se taper la corvée'. It means 'to be stuck with the chore' and is a great way to express that you didn't choose the task.

Know Your Synonyms

If a task is just a task, use 'tâche'. If it's a boring intellectual task, use 'pensum'. Using the right word shows a high level of French proficiency.

Social Obligation

You can use 'corvée' for social events. 'Aller à ce dîner est une corvée' means you are only going because you have to, not because you want to.

Listen for the Article

When listening to native speakers, listen for 'la' or 'une' before 'corvée'. This will help you distinguish it from other similar-sounding words.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a soldier in a 'CORE' of the army who has to 'VEER' away from his friends to do a boring task. CORE-VEER = CORVÉE.

Visual Association

Visualize a giant pile of dirty dishes that looks like a mountain. You have to climb this 'mountain of corvées' every night.

Word Web

ménage vaisselle pénible obligation travail ennui maison devoirs

Challenge

Try to identify three things you did today that were 'corvées' and say them out loud in French using the phrase 'C'est une corvée de...'.

Word Origin

The word 'corvée' comes from the Late Latin word 'corrogata', which is the feminine past participle of 'corrogare'. This Latin verb means 'to request together' or 'to invite' (from 'com-' meaning together and 'rogare' meaning to ask). Over time, the meaning shifted from a 'request' to a 'demand' for labor.

Original meaning: A work or service requested by a public authority or a lord.

Romance (Latin root)

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'corvée' to describe a gift or a favor someone did for you, as it implies you think their help was a burden for them.

English speakers often use 'chore' neutrally, whereas 'corvée' is almost always negative in French. We might say 'I have some chores to do' without sounding upset, but a French person saying 'J'ai des corvées' sounds like they are suffering.

The 'Corvée Royale' (Historical tax in France). The film 'Les Choristes' (though not the same word, it's a common phonetic confusion for learners). Military literature often features the 'corvée de patates' as a symbol of low-ranking life.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At Home

Faire les corvées
La corvée de vaisselle
Partager les corvées
Une corvée ménagère

At the Office

Une corvée administrative
Se taper le classement
Une tâche ingrate
S'acquitter de ses devoirs

In History Class

La corvée seigneuriale
Le travail forcé
Abolir la corvée
Une obligation féodale

In the Military

La corvée de quartier
Être de corvée
La corvée de patates
Le service de garde

Social Life

Une corvée sociale
Éviter une invitation
C'est un pensum
Y aller par obligation

Conversation Starters

"Quelle est la corvée que tu détestes le plus faire chez toi ?"

"Est-ce que tu penses que les corvées sont bien partagées dans ta famille ?"

"Pour toi, est-ce que cuisiner est un plaisir ou une corvée ?"

"Quelle était ta corvée quand tu étais enfant ?"

"Comment fais-tu pour rendre une corvée plus amusante ?"

Journal Prompts

Décrivez une corvée que vous avez faite aujourd'hui. Pourquoi était-ce désagréable ?

Imaginez un monde sans corvées. Comment passeriez-vous votre temps libre ?

Écrivez sur une tâche qui était une corvée au début, mais qui est devenue un plaisir.

Pensez-vous que les enfants devraient avoir des corvées dès leur plus jeune âge ? Pourquoi ?

Quelle corvée administrative trouvez-vous la plus difficile à gérer dans votre pays ?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, while it is very common for cleaning, it can be used for any task you find unpleasant, such as administrative work, long meetings, or even social events you don't want to attend.

'Tâche' is a neutral word for any task. 'Corvée' specifically describes a task that is boring, tiring, or annoying. For example, 'washing the car' is a tâche, but if you hate doing it, it's a corvée.

No, 'corvée' is only a noun. You must use it with a verb like 'faire' (to do) or 'se taper' (to be stuck with). You cannot say 'Je corvée'.

No, it is a standard French word. However, the phrase 'se taper une corvée' is informal and could be considered mild slang or colloquial.

You can say 'les corvées ménagères' or simply 'le ménage' if you are referring specifically to cleaning.

It is always feminine: une corvée, la corvée. This is true even if a man is the one doing the chore.

Yes, 'les corvées'. It is very common to use the plural when talking about all the different things you have to do at home.

It comes from the Latin 'corrogata', which referred to labor requested by a lord from a peasant. This historical root gives the word its sense of 'forced' work.

Yes, but be careful. It's fine to use with colleagues to complain about a boring task, but avoid using it with your boss as it might sound like you hate your job.

Historically, it was a military chore of gathering wood. Today, it's an idiom used to describe any particularly annoying or heavy task you've been assigned.