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employée

A1 noun #4,000 most common 12 min read

employée

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips employée in 30 Seconds

Explanation employée in your Level:

At the A1 level, the most important thing to learn about 'employée' is that it is a feminine noun. This means you use it when you are talking about a woman who has a job. You will usually see it with the word 'une' (a) or 'la' (the). For example, 'une employée' means 'a female employee'. You should practice saying 'Je suis employée' if you are a woman who works. It is a very basic word used to introduce yourself or describe someone's job in a simple way. You will often hear it in the phrase 'employée de bureau', which means an office worker. Remember, in French, we often don't use 'a' before a profession when saying what someone is (e.g., 'Elle est employée'), but we do use it when adding an adjective (e.g., 'C'est une bonne employée'). This is a foundational word for building your professional vocabulary. You should also notice that the 'e' at the end makes it feminine, but it doesn't change how the word sounds compared to the masculine 'employé'. This is a common pattern in French that you will see in many other words as you continue to learn. Focus on the spelling and the articles used with it.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'employée' in more descriptive sentences. You might describe where someone works using prepositions like 'à' or 'dans'. For example, 'Elle est employée dans une grande entreprise' (She is an employee in a large company). You will also begin to see the word in the context of daily routines and workplace interactions. You should be able to distinguish 'employée' from other job titles like 'vendeuse' (saleswoman) or 'serveuse' (waitress). At this level, you are also learning about plural forms, so remember that 'les employées' refers to a group of women. You might encounter the word in simple reading passages about work or in listening exercises where someone describes their job. It's also a good time to learn the verb 'employer' (to employ), so you can see the connection between the noun and the action. Understanding that 'employée' is part of a word family will help you expand your vocabulary more quickly. You should also be comfortable using 'employée' with basic possessive adjectives like 'mon employée' or 'notre employée'.

At the B1 level, you should understand 'employée' within the broader context of French labor culture. You will move beyond simple descriptions and start talking about rights and responsibilities. For example, you might discuss 'les droits d'une employée' (the rights of a female employee) or 'les tâches d'une employée' (the tasks of a female employee). You will encounter the word in more complex texts, such as news articles about the economy or job advertisements. You should also be aware of the synonym 'salariée' and when it might be more appropriate to use it (e.g., in a discussion about salaries or contracts). At B1, you are expected to handle more nuanced grammar, such as using 'employée' as a past participle in passive constructions: 'Elle a été employée par cette agence pendant trois ans.' You should also be able to use the word in the subjunctive or conditional moods when expressing desires or hypothetical situations regarding work. This level requires a deeper understanding of how 'employée' fits into the professional hierarchy and the social expectations associated with the role.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'employée' in sophisticated debates about the workplace. You might discuss issues like 'l'égalité entre les employés et les employées' (equality between male and female employees) or 'le bien-être des employées' (the well-being of female employees). You will notice that in professional writing, the word is often used in the context of 'ressources humaines' (human resources). You should be comfortable with the distinction between 'employée' and 'cadre' (executive), and understand the social and legal implications of these categories in France. At this level, you can also explore the use of 'employée' in more formal or literary contexts. You should be able to write a cover letter or a CV using the word correctly and professionally. You will also encounter the word in legal texts, such as the 'Code du Travail', where the rights of the 'salariée' or 'employée' are clearly defined. Your ability to use the word accurately in both spoken and written French should be near-fluid, reflecting an understanding of both grammar and cultural context.

At the C1 level, you will analyze the use of 'employée' from a sociological and linguistic perspective. You might explore how the term has evolved over time and its role in the discourse on gender equality in the workplace. You will be able to discuss complex topics such as 'la précarité des employées' (the precariousness of female employees) or 'la représentation des employées dans les syndicats' (the representation of female employees in unions). At this level, you should have a nuanced understanding of the register and tone associated with 'employée' versus more modern terms like 'collaboratrice'. You will encounter the word in academic papers, high-level journalism, and complex literature. You should be able to use it in nuanced arguments, considering the historical weight and the modern connotations of the word. Your mastery of the word will include an understanding of its etymology and its relationship to other words in the 'employer' family. You will also be sensitive to the nuances of 'inclusive writing' and how 'employée' is treated in modern French linguistic reforms.

At the C2 level, your understanding of 'employée' is comprehensive and deeply integrated into your overall mastery of the French language. You can use the word in any context, from a casual conversation to a highly technical legal or philosophical discussion. You might analyze the ontological status of the 'employée' in Marxist theory or the linguistic shifts in job titles in 21st-century France. You are fully aware of all the idiomatic expressions and cultural references associated with the word. You can navigate the most subtle differences between 'employée', 'salariée', 'agente', and 'collaboratrice' with ease, choosing the perfect word for the specific context and desired tone. Your writing will reflect a sophisticated command of the word's grammatical and stylistic possibilities. At this level, you are not just learning the word; you are using it as a tool to explore and critique the complex realities of the French-speaking world. You understand the word as part of a vast network of social, economic, and historical meanings, and you can manipulate those meanings with precision and flair.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

employée in 30 Seconds

A feminine noun meaning a female employee, typically in office or service roles.
Essential for distinguishing gender in French professional contexts, unlike the neutral English 'employee'.
Pronounced the same as the masculine 'employé', but spelled with an extra 'e'.
Commonly used in phrases like 'employée de bureau' or 'employée de magasin'.

The French word employée is the feminine noun used to describe a woman who works for a person, a company, or an organization in exchange for a salary. At its most basic level, it translates to 'female employee' in English. However, the cultural and linguistic nuances in French are significant, especially for English speakers who are not accustomed to gendered nouns for professions. In French, every person in a professional role is categorized by gender, and employée specifically refers to a woman. If you were speaking about a man, you would use employé. This distinction is fundamental to French grammar and social interaction. Understanding when to use this word requires looking at the hierarchy of the French workplace. While in English 'employee' is a broad umbrella term for everyone from the CEO to the janitor, in French, employée often leans towards administrative, retail, or service-oriented roles. It is frequently contrasted with cadre (an executive or manager) or ouvrière (a manual worker). When you walk into a bank, the woman helping you at the counter is an employée de banque. When you visit a boutique, the woman assisting you is an employée de magasin.

Grammatical Gender: The word is strictly feminine. It requires feminine articles like une, la, or cette.
Professional Hierarchy: Traditionally refers to 'white-collar' staff in non-managerial positions, distinct from manual labor or high-level management.

C'est une employée très dévouée qui travaille ici depuis dix ans.

Translation: She is a very dedicated employee who has worked here for ten years.

In modern professional settings, the term has evolved. You might hear salariée used as a synonym, which emphasizes the legal status of receiving a salary regardless of the specific job title. However, employée remains the standard for describing a person's role in a general sense. It is also used in official documents and job contracts. For instance, a contract might specify the rights of the partie employée. Furthermore, the word carries a sense of stability. In the French context, being an employée often implies a formal relationship with an employer, governed by the Code du Travail (Labor Code), which provides protections that are central to French identity and social structure.

L'employée du mois recevra une prime exceptionnelle.

Translation: The female employee of the month will receive an exceptional bonus.

Usage extends beyond just business. You might hear employée de maison for a domestic worker or housekeeper. This highlights how the word is flexible but always denotes a subordinate professional relationship. Historically, the term was less common than specific guild titles, but with the industrial revolution and the rise of the tertiary (service) sector, employée became a cornerstone of the French vocabulary. Today, it is ubiquitous in news reports discussing employment rates (le taux d'emploi) and labor disputes. It is a word that bridges the gap between the personal identity of a worker and their legal status in the eyes of the state.

Sectoral Use: Common in 'le secteur tertiaire' (services) such as insurance, tourism, and public administration.

Elle est employée à la mairie de Paris.

Translation: She is an employee at the Paris City Hall.

Using employée correctly in a sentence involves more than just knowing its definition; it requires mastery of French agreement rules. Since it is a feminine noun, any adjective modifying it must also be in the feminine form. For example, 'a new employee' is une nouvelle employée, not un nouveau employée. This consistency is key to sounding natural in French. The word often appears in the structure être employée de/à [place]. For example, Marie est employée à la poste (Marie is an employee at the post office). Here, employée functions as a predicate nominative, describing Marie's role.

Adjective Agreement: Une bonne employée (A good employee), Une employée qualifiée (A qualified employee).

L'employée a fini son rapport avant la réunion.

Translation: The employee finished her report before the meeting.

Another common usage pattern is the plural form les employées. If you are referring to a group consisting entirely of women, you must use the feminine plural. However, if the group is mixed (men and women), French grammar traditionally defaults to the masculine plural les employés. This is a point of modern linguistic debate in France, with some advocating for inclusive writing (les employé·e·s), but in standard speech, employées specifically denotes an all-female group. You will also see the word used in compound nouns. For instance, une employée libre-service is a shelf stocker in a supermarket. These specific job titles help define a person's tasks more clearly within the broader category of employment.

Cette entreprise compte cinquante employées dans son service client.

Translation: This company has fifty female employees in its customer service department.

When using employée as a past participle of the verb employer (to use or to employ), it also requires agreement. For example, in the sentence La méthode employée est efficace (The method used is effective), employée agrees with the feminine noun méthode. This dual role of the word as both a noun and a past participle is a frequent source of confusion for learners. As a noun, it designates a person; as a participle, it describes an action or a tool. In professional correspondence, you might write, Je suis une employée polyvalente (I am a versatile employee), showcasing your skills to a potential boss. The word is polite, formal, and neutral, making it safe for all professional contexts.

Common Prepositions: Employée par (employed by), Employée à temps plein (full-time employee).

Elle n'est plus employée ici depuis le mois dernier.

Translation: She is no longer employed here since last month.

You will encounter the word employée in a vast array of real-world French environments, ranging from administrative offices to the local bakery. In France, the public sector (la fonction publique) is a massive employer, and you will constantly hear people referred to as employées de l'État or employées territoriales. When you go to the préfecture to handle paperwork, the woman processing your application is an employée administrative. This context reinforces the word's association with bureaucracy and organized labor. In news broadcasts, journalists often use the term when reporting on labor strikes or changes in employment law. You might hear, Les employées de ce secteur réclament une augmentation de salaire (The female employees of this sector are demanding a pay rise).

Public Administration: Commonly heard in 'mairies' (town halls) and 'préfectures'.

L'employée de la banque m'a aidé à ouvrir un compte.

Translation: The bank employee (female) helped me open an account.

In the retail world, employée is the standard term for floor staff. If you are in a large department store like Galeries Lafayette and need assistance, you might ask a colleague, Où est l'employée responsable de ce rayon ? (Where is the employee in charge of this department?). In this setting, the word is professional and respectful. It is also found in the hospitality industry. A hotel might have several employées d'étage (chambermaids/housekeeping staff). Here, the word is often part of a more specific job title, but the root remains employée. In the digital age, you also see it on professional networking sites like LinkedIn, where women list their current status as employée chez [Company Name].

Nous recherchons une employée de bureau polyvalente.

Translation: We are looking for a versatile female office employee.

Socially, the word is used in conversations about work-life balance. A friend might say, En tant qu'employée, j'ai droit à cinq semaines de congés payés (As an employee, I am entitled to five weeks of paid leave). This highlights the legal identity associated with the word in France, where labor rights are a point of national pride. You'll also hear it in discussions about the 'gender pay gap' (l'écart salarial), where the treatment of les employées is compared to their male counterparts. Whether in a formal contract, a casual chat about a job, or a loud protest on the streets of Paris, employée is a vital term for navigating the French social and professional landscape.

Hospitality: Employée d'étage, employée de réception.

Chaque employée doit badger en arrivant le matin.

Translation: Every female employee must clock in when arriving in the morning.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with employée is neglecting the gender agreement. In English, 'employee' is gender-neutral, so it's easy to forget that French requires a choice. If you are referring to a woman, you must add the extra 'e'. Writing Marie est un employé is grammatically incorrect and sounds jarring to a native speaker. Another common error is confusing employée with employeur. While they look similar, an employeur is the boss (the one who gives the work), and the employée is the worker (the one who does the work). Mixing these up can lead to significant confusion in professional settings.

Gender Confusion: Mistake: 'Elle est un employé.' Correct: 'Elle est une employée.'
Role Reversal: Mistake: Confusing 'employée' (worker) with 'employeur' (boss).

Attention : ne confondez pas l'employée et la directrice.

Translation: Careful: do not confuse the employee with the director.

Pronunciation also poses a challenge. While employé and employée are pronounced the same way ([ɑ̃.plwa.je]), the rhythm of the sentence often changes due to the preceding article. For example, un employé involves a liaison ([œ̃.nɑ̃.plwa.je]), whereas une employée does not ([yn.ɑ̃.plwa.je]). Learners often struggle with these subtle phonetic shifts. Additionally, some learners use employée for every type of worker. However, as mentioned earlier, employée usually refers to office or service staff. Using it for a surgeon or a lawyer would be technically incorrect; those roles have their own specific titles (chirurgienne, avocate).

Elle est employée municipale, pas une élue.

Translation: She is a municipal employee, not an elected official.

Finally, there is the confusion between the noun and the verb. In the sentence Elle est employée par cette boîte, the word employée is the past participle of the verb employer. In C'est une employée de cette boîte, it is a noun. While the meaning is nearly identical, the grammatical function is different. Learners often forget to add the 'e' in the past participle form when the subject is feminine, which is a common error in written French (accord du participe passé). Keeping track of whether you are using the word as a label for a person or as an action performed on a person is a crucial step in reaching intermediate and advanced levels of French proficiency.

Spelling Tip: Always check the subject. If 'elle' or 'la femme', use 'employée'.

L'orthographe du mot employée change selon le genre.

Translation: The spelling of the word 'employee' changes according to gender.

In French, the professional world is rich with synonyms that carry specific shades of meaning. While employée is a general term, salariée is perhaps its closest relative. The difference is subtle: salariée focuses on the legal relationship of receiving a salary. It is often used in economic and legal contexts. For instance, you would say le nombre de salariées en France when discussing statistics. Another common alternative is collaboratrice. This word has gained popularity in modern corporate culture as it sounds more egalitarian and less hierarchical than employée. It suggests a partner or a team member rather than just a subordinate.

Salariée vs Employée: 'Salariée' is legal/economic; 'Employée' is functional/descriptive.
Collaboratrice: More modern and prestigious; implies teamwork.

Elle n'est pas qu'une simple employée, c'est une collaboratrice clé.

Translation: She is not just a simple employee; she is a key collaborator.

If the woman works in an office, secrétaire or assistante might be more precise, though these are specific job titles. In the public sector, the term agente (or agent used for both genders, though agente is increasingly common) is used. For example, une agente de la fonction publique. This highlights her status as a representative of the state. On the other end of the spectrum, ouvrière refers to a female manual worker or factory worker. It’s important to distinguish this from employée, as the latter traditionally excludes physical labor. In a more informal or derogatory context, one might hear subalterne, but this is best avoided as it can be offensive.

L'agente d'accueil nous a renseignés avec le sourire.

Translation: The (female) reception agent informed us with a smile.

Finally, the term cadre is essential. In France, the workforce is often divided between non-cadres (which includes most employées) and cadres (managers and executives). A woman who is a cadre has different social benefits and responsibilities. Understanding these distinctions is not just about vocabulary; it's about understanding the class and professional structure of French society. By choosing between employée, salariée, collaboratrice, and cadre, you are communicating much more than just someone's job—you are situating them within a complex web of social and professional relationships.

Cadre vs Employée: 'Cadre' is for management; 'Employée' is for staff.

Toutes les salariées de l'usine sont en grève.

Translation: All the female employees (salaried workers) of the factory are on strike.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word originally referred to 'using' something. It only became a common term for a person (worker) in the 16th century.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɑ̃.plwa.je/

US /ɑ̃.plwa.je/

Stress is typically on the final syllable in French.

Rhymes With

allier métier papier entier quartier janvier escalier cahier

Common Errors

Pronouncing the final 'e' (it's silent).
Failing to nasalize the 'em' at the beginning.
Confusing the 'wa' sound with 'oy' as in English 'employ'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize because it looks like 'employee'.

Writing 2/5

Need to remember the double 'e' at the end for the feminine.

Speaking 1/5

Pronunciation is straightforward once you master the nasal 'en'.

Listening 2/5

Hard to distinguish from the masculine 'employé' without context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

travail femme bureau être une

Learn Next

employeur salaire entreprise métier carrière

Advanced

précarité hiérarchie syndicat convention collective licenciement

Grammar to Know

Feminine noun formation

Adding an 'e' to 'employé' makes it 'employée'.

Adjective agreement

Une employée **sérieuse** (not sérieux).

Article agreement

**La** nouvelle employée.

Past participle agreement with 'être'

Elle est **employée** (agreement with 'elle').

Liaison with 'un' vs 'une'

Un employé [n], Une employée [no liaison].

Examples by Level

C'est une nouvelle employée.

She is a new employee.

Notice the use of 'une' and the extra 'e' in 'employée' for the feminine.

Elle est employée de banque.

She is a bank employee.

In French, we often omit the article 'une' when stating a profession directly after 'être'.

L'employée parle français.

The employee speaks French.

The article 'L'' is used before a vowel, regardless of gender.

Où est l'employée ?

Where is the employee?

Basic question structure using 'Où est'.

C'est une employée très gentille.

She is a very kind employee.

Adjective 'gentille' agrees with the feminine 'employée'.

Je cherche une employée.

I am looking for a female employee.

Using the verb 'chercher' with a feminine object.

Elle est l'employée du mois.

She is the employee of the month.

Common workplace phrase.

Voici l'employée de bureau.

Here is the office employee.

Using 'Voici' to introduce someone.

L'employée travaille huit heures par jour.

The employee works eight hours a day.

Present tense of 'travailler'.

Cette employée est très efficace.

This employee is very efficient.

Use of the demonstrative adjective 'cette' for feminine nouns.

Elle est employée à la mairie depuis un an.

She has been an employee at the town hall for a year.

Using 'depuis' to indicate duration.

Les employées mangent ensemble à midi.

The female employees eat together at noon.

Plural feminine form 'les employées'.

C'est une employée polyvalente.

She is a versatile employee.

Adjective 'polyvalente' follows the noun.

L'employée a rangé tous les dossiers.

The employee tidied all the files.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

Elle veut devenir une employée modèle.

She wants to become a model employee.

Using the verb 'devenir' (to become).

L'employée de l'hôtel est très accueillante.

The hotel employee is very welcoming.

Compound noun phrase 'employée de l'hôtel'.

L'employée a demandé une augmentation.

The employee asked for a raise.

Vocabulary: 'augmentation' (pay raise).

Chaque employée doit signer son contrat.

Each employee must sign her contract.

Use of 'chaque' (each).

Elle a été employée comme secrétaire.

She was employed as a secretary.

Passive voice construction.

L'employée est en congé cette semaine.

The employee is on leave this week.

Idiom: 'en congé' (on holiday/leave).

Il est important que l'employée comprenne ses droits.

It is important that the employee understands her rights.

Subjunctive mood after 'Il est important que'.

L'employée a fait preuve de beaucoup de patience.

The employee showed a lot of patience.

Idiom: 'faire preuve de' (to show/demonstrate).

Si elle était employée ici, elle serait heureuse.

If she were employed here, she would be happy.

Conditional sentence (SI + imparfait, conditionnel).

L'employée s'occupe de la gestion des stocks.

The employee takes care of stock management.

Pronominal verb 's'occuper de'.

L'employée a contesté son licenciement devant les prud'hommes.

The employee contested her dismissal before the labor court.

Legal vocabulary: 'licenciement', 'prud'hommes'.

En tant qu'employée, elle bénéficie d'une mutuelle d'entreprise.

As an employee, she benefits from company health insurance.

Phrase: 'En tant que' (As a...).

L'employée a su gérer la crise avec brio.

The employee managed the crisis brilliantly.

Passé composé of 'savoir' to mean 'managed to'.

Cette employée fait partie des effectifs depuis la création de la boîte.

This employee has been part of the workforce since the company was created.

Vocabulary: 'effectifs' (workforce), 'boîte' (slang for company).

Bien qu'elle soit employée à mi-temps, elle est très productive.

Although she is employed part-time, she is very productive.

Subjunctive after 'Bien que'.

L'employée a démissionné pour poursuivre d'autres opportunités.

The employee resigned to pursue other opportunities.

Vocabulary: 'démissionner' (to resign).

L'employée a été promue au poste de directrice adjointe.

The employee was promoted to the position of assistant director.

Passive voice with feminine agreement.

Le statut d'employée offre une certaine sécurité de l'emploi.

The status of an employee offers a certain job security.

Abstract noun phrase.

L'aliénation de l'employée est un thème central de ce roman.

The alienation of the female employee is a central theme of this novel.

C1 level vocabulary: 'aliénation'.

L'employée doit naviguer entre ses obligations professionnelles et personnelles.

The employee must navigate between her professional and personal obligations.

Complex sentence structure.

La jurisprudence protège l'employée contre toute forme de harcèlement.

Case law protects the employee against all forms of harassment.

Legal terminology: 'jurisprudence'.

L'employée, bien que subalterne, possède une expertise indispensable.

The employee, although subordinate, possesses indispensable expertise.

Use of apposition for descriptive detail.

On observe une féminisation croissante du terme 'employée' dans les textes officiels.

A growing feminization of the term 'employée' is observed in official texts.

Sociolinguistic observation.

L'employée a exprimé son mécontentement lors de l'assemblée générale.

The employee expressed her dissatisfaction during the general assembly.

Formal vocabulary: 'mécontentement', 'assemblée générale'.

Il est paradoxal que l'employée soit la moins rémunérée malgré sa charge de travail.

It is paradoxical that the employee is the least paid despite her workload.

Logical connector 'paradoxal' and subjunctive 'soit'.

L'employée incarne la figure du travailleur moderne dans le secteur des services.

The employee embodies the figure of the modern worker in the service sector.

Metaphorical use of 'incarner'.

L'intersubjectivité entre l'employeur et l'employée conditionne la qualité du climat social.

The intersubjectivity between the employer and the employee conditions the quality of the social climate.

High-level philosophical vocabulary.

L'employée se trouve à la confluence de multiples pressions socio-économiques.

The employee finds herself at the confluence of multiple socio-economic pressures.

Metaphorical use of 'confluence'.

L'effacement de la distinction entre vie privée et vie professionnelle chez l'employée est préoccupant.

The blurring of the distinction between private and professional life for the employee is worrying.

Abstract noun 'effacement'.

La dialectique du maître et de l'esclave peut être transposée au rapport entre l'entreprise et l'employée.

The master-slave dialectic can be transposed to the relationship between the company and the employee.

Philosophical reference (Hegel).

L'employée, en tant qu'agent économique, participe activement à la création de valeur ajoutée.

The employee, as an economic agent, actively participates in the creation of added value.

Economic terminology.

L'émancipation de l'employée passe par une reconnaissance accrue de ses compétences transversales.

The emancipation of the employee involves increased recognition of her soft skills.

Abstract concepts: 'émancipation', 'compétences transversales'.

L'employée est souvent le maillon faible des restructurations sauvages.

The employee is often the weak link in ruthless restructurings.

Idiom: 'le maillon faible'.

L'apport de l'employée à la culture d'entreprise est souvent sous-estimé par la direction.

The employee's contribution to corporate culture is often underestimated by management.

Formal structure with 'sous-estimé'.

Common Collocations

une employée de bureau

une employée modèle

une employée municipale

une employée à temps plein

une employée qualifiée

une employée de maison

une employée de banque

une employée dévouée

une employée saisonnière

une employée administrative

Common Phrases

L'employée du mois

— A recognition given to the best female worker in a given month.

Elle a été élue l'employée du mois.

Être employée par...

— To have a job at a specific company or with a person.

Elle est employée par une multinationale.

Une ancienne employée

— A woman who used to work at a particular place.

C'est une ancienne employée de la boîte.

Rechercher une employée

— To be looking to hire a female worker.

Le magasin recherche une employée polyvalente.

Le statut d'employée

— The legal and social standing of a female worker.

Le statut d'employée lui donne droit à des vacances.

Une employée de libre-service

— A supermarket shelf-stocker.

Elle travaille comme employée de libre-service.

Une employée polyvalente

— An employee who can perform many different tasks.

Nous cherchons une employée polyvalente pour l'accueil.

L'employée en question

— The specific female employee being discussed.

L'employée en question a déjà été prévenue.

Une employée de confiance

— A female worker who is reliable and trusted.

C'est une employée de confiance depuis vingt ans.

Devenir employée

— To get a job as an employee.

Elle espère devenir employée après son stage.

Often Confused With

employée vs employeur

The employer (boss) vs the employee.

employée vs emploi

The job itself vs the person doing the job.

employée vs ouvrière

A manual/factory worker vs an office/service worker.

Idioms & Expressions

"L'employée modèle"

— An employee who follows all rules and performs perfectly, often used slightly ironically.

Elle arrive toujours à l'heure, c'est l'employée modèle.

Neutral

"Être une petite employée"

— To be a low-ranking employee with little power (can be slightly patronizing).

Elle n'est qu'une petite employée dans ce grand groupe.

Informal

"L'employée de l'ombre"

— A worker who does essential work behind the scenes without recognition.

C'est l'employée de l'ombre qui fait tourner le bureau.

Literary

"Traiter quelqu'un comme une employée"

— To treat someone as a subordinate or servant.

Il me traite comme une employée, pas comme sa femme !

Informal

"Une employée aux mille mains"

— A very busy or versatile employee (less common, metaphorical).

C'est une employée aux mille mains, elle fait tout.

Poetic

"Faire l'employée"

— To act like an employee, to do one's job without personal initiative.

Elle se contente de faire l'employée.

Neutral

"L'employée de choc"

— A highly effective and energetic employee.

C'est notre employée de choc pour les ventes.

Informal

"Une employée de carton"

— A fake or incompetent employee (slangy).

C'est une employée de carton, elle ne sait rien faire.

Slang

"Rester employée"

— To remain in a subordinate position without promotion.

Elle est restée employée toute sa vie.

Neutral

"L'employée de la dernière heure"

— A worker who joins or helps at the very last moment.

Elle a été l'employée de la dernière heure pour finir le projet.

Neutral

Easily Confused

employée vs salariée

They both mean worker.

'Salariée' is used for anyone with a salary, while 'employée' often implies a specific administrative or service role.

Toutes les employées sont des salariées, mais toutes les salariées ne sont pas des employées (e.g., a CEO).

employée vs agente

Both refer to workers.

'Agente' is specifically for the public sector or certain technical roles.

Une agente de la mairie.

employée vs cadre

Both are workers in a company.

'Cadre' refers to management/executives, while 'employée' refers to non-management staff.

L'employée rapporte à la cadre.

employée vs vendeuse

An employée might work in a shop.

'Vendeuse' is specifically for sales, whereas 'employée' is more general.

L'employée de magasin peut être une vendeuse ou une comptable.

employée vs secrétaire

Common office roles.

'Secrétaire' is a specific job title, 'employée' is a category.

Elle est employée comme secrétaire.

Sentence Patterns

Elle est [adjective] employée.

Elle est une bonne employée.

L'employée travaille à [place].

L'employée travaille à la banque.

C'est une employée qui [verb].

C'est une employée qui parle trois langues.

En tant qu'employée, elle a le droit de [verb].

En tant qu'employée, elle a le droit de prendre des vacances.

Bien que l'employée soit [adjective]...

Bien que l'employée soit fatiguée, elle continue de travailler.

La condition de l'employée au sein de [entity]...

La condition de l'employée au sein de la société post-industrielle.

C'est une employée de [place].

C'est une employée de bureau.

Elle est employée depuis [time].

Elle est employée depuis deux ans.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written French.

Common Mistakes

Elle est un employé. → Elle est une employée.
You must use the feminine article and the feminine form of the noun for a woman.
La méthode employé est bonne. → La méthode employée est bonne.
The past participle must agree with the feminine noun 'méthode'.
Pronouncing the final 'e'. → Keeping the final 'e' silent.
The final 'e' in 'employée' is a grammatical marker, not a phonetic one.
Confusing 'employée' with 'employeur'. → Using 'employée' for the worker and 'employeur' for the boss.
These are opposites in the work relationship.
Using 'employée' for a high-level manager. → Using 'cadre' or 'directrice'.
'Employée' usually refers to non-managerial staff.

Tips

Remember the Liaison

When using 'un employé', there is a liaison (n sound). For 'une employée', there is no liaison. This helps you hear the gender.

The Double E

In written French, 'employée' always has two 'e's at the end. One for the past participle/noun ending and one for the feminine.

Be Specific

While 'employée' is good, using a specific title like 'comptable' or 'vendeuse' makes your French sound more advanced.

35 Hours

In France, an 'employée' typically works 35 hours a week. Mentioning this shows you understand French work culture.

Synonym Check

Use 'salariée' in economic contexts and 'employée' in daily social or administrative contexts.

Nasal Vowels

Practice the 'em' sound. It's nasal, meaning air goes through your nose. It's the same sound as in 'enfant'.

Egalitarianism

In a startup or modern firm, 'collaboratrice' is often a better choice than 'employée' to avoid sounding hierarchical.

Contracts

On a contract, you might see 'la salariée'. This is the legal way to refer to the female employee.

Public vs Private

In a government office, you are more likely to be an 'agente' than an 'employée'.

Word Family

Link 'employée' to 'emploi' (job). If you have an 'emploi', you are an 'employée'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Employee' with an extra 'e' for 'Elle' (She).

Visual Association

Imagine a woman sitting at a desk with a nameplate that ends in a double 'E'.

Word Web

bureau salaire patron contrat travail collègue entreprise CV

Challenge

Try to use 'employée' and 'employeur' in the same sentence to describe a work relationship.

Word Origin

From the Old French verb 'emploier', which comes from the Latin 'implicare'.

Original meaning: In Latin, 'implicare' meant 'to infold, involve, or engage'.

Romance (Latin-based).

Cultural Context

Be careful not to use 'employée' in a way that sounds dismissive of someone's professional expertise; use their specific title (e.g., 'ingénieure') if known.

Unlike 'employee', which is gender-neutral, 'employée' forces you to acknowledge the worker's gender immediately.

The film 'Les Femmes du 6e étage' features domestic employees. The character of Fantine in 'Les Misérables' as a factory employee. The song 'La Complainte de la serveuse automate' by Starmania.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Office Work

employée de bureau
tâches administratives
réunion d'équipe
poste de travail

Retail

employée de magasin
service client
gestion des stocks
caisse

Human Resources

dossier de l'employée
entretien annuel
contrat de travail
fiche de paie

Public Service

employée municipale
mairie
service public
guichet

Legal/Labor Rights

droits de l'employée
protection sociale
temps de travail
congés payés

Conversation Starters

"Depuis combien de temps es-tu employée dans cette entreprise ?"

"Est-ce que l'employée de la banque t'a aidé ?"

"Connais-tu une employée qui parle anglais ici ?"

"Quelle est la tâche principale d'une employée de bureau ?"

"Penses-tu qu'elle est une employée heureuse ?"

Journal Prompts

Décrivez une journée typique pour une employée de bureau à Paris.

Quelles sont les qualités les plus importantes pour une bonne employée ?

Si vous étiez employée dans un musée, que feriez-vous ?

Racontez une histoire sur une employée qui sauve son entreprise.

Comment le rôle d'une employée a-t-il changé au cours des 50 dernières années ?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, with the extra 'e', it is always feminine. The masculine version is 'employé'. In French, you must choose the form that matches the person's gender.

No, they are pronounced exactly the same: [ɑ̃.plwa.je]. You can only tell the difference through the articles (un/une) or written spelling.

Technically, a doctor could be an employee of a hospital, but usually, you would just say 'médecin'. 'Employée' is typically for administrative or service roles.

It refers to a domestic worker or housekeeper. It is a common term for someone who works in a private home.

You say 'les employées'. Note the 's' at the end for the plural. If the group is mixed, use 'les employés'.

Yes, it is neutral and professional. It is suitable for use in business settings, resumes, and official documents.

'Salariée' focuses on the legal status of being paid a salary, while 'employée' focuses on the role or position within a company.

Yes, 'employée' is also the past participle of the verb 'employer' (to use). For example: 'La méthode employée' (The method used).

No, it is not rude. However, in modern offices, 'collaboratrice' is sometimes preferred as it sounds more like a partnership.

It refers to a supermarket worker who stocks shelves and helps customers in the aisles.