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la corvée

B2 noun 12 min read

la corvée

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips la corvée in 30 Seconds

Explanation la corvée in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'la corvée' as a word for household chores. Think of it as a more emotional way to say 'les tâches ménagères' (household tasks). Even at this beginning stage, you can use it to talk about things you don't like doing at home. For example, 'La corvée de vaisselle' is the chore of washing dishes. You might hear it in simple stories or when people talk about their daily routines. It is a feminine noun, so we say 'une corvée'. It is helpful to learn it alongside verbs like 'faire' (to do). At this level, don't worry about the history of the word; just focus on using it to describe the parts of your day that are not fun, like cleaning your room or doing homework. It's a great word to add some personality and feeling to your basic French sentences, moving beyond simple facts to how you feel about your responsibilities.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'la corvée' to describe more than just cleaning. You can use it for any repetitive or boring task. You should also learn the common phrase 'être de corvée', which means being assigned to a chore. For example, 'Je suis de corvée de cuisine' (I am on kitchen duty). This is very useful for talking about life in a shared apartment or with family. You should be able to distinguish between a 'tâche' (a general task) and a 'corvée' (a task you dislike). At this level, you can also use adjectives like 'petite' or 'grande' to describe the chore. You will notice this word in dialogues where people are complaining or negotiating who does what work. It's a key word for social interactions involving shared responsibilities. Try to use it in your speaking practice when talking about your weekend or your work day to sound more like a natural speaker who has opinions about their tasks.

At the B1 level, you should understand the nuance of 'la corvée' as a burden or an obligation. You can use it in more complex sentence structures, such as 'Je considère cela comme une corvée' (I consider that a chore). You will also encounter it in more varied contexts, such as administrative tasks ('la corvée administrative') or social obligations you find boring. You should start to recognize the word in newspapers or magazines when they discuss the 'burden' of taxes or paperwork. Your vocabulary should now include synonyms like 'besogne' or 'fardeau', though you should know that 'corvée' is the most common for daily life. You can also use it metaphorically, for example, 'Lire ce livre est une corvée' (Reading this book is a chore). This shows you can apply the concept of an 'unpleasant task' to abstract activities. This level is about expanding the word's use from physical chores to mental or social ones.

At the B2 level, which is the target level for this word, you should have a deep understanding of 'la corvée'. You should know its historical origins (the feudal unpaid labor) and how that history informs its current meaning of 'forced' or 'obligatory' work. You should be comfortable using it in professional settings to describe low-value tasks, and in formal writing to discuss social or economic burdens. You should also be familiar with idiomatic expressions like 'la corvée de bois' or 'la corvée de patates' and understand their cultural resonance. At B2, you should be able to use the word with a variety of sophisticated verbs like 's'acquitter de', 's'affranchir de', or 'se dérober à'. You should also be able to discuss the concept of 'corvées' in a broader societal context, such as the division of household labor between genders. Your use of the word should reflect an understanding of its slightly negative, sometimes resentful tone.

At the C1 level, you should be able to use 'la corvée' with precision in academic or literary discussions. You might analyze how a character in a novel views their 'corvées' as a reflection of their social standing or existential state. You should understand the subtle differences between 'corvée', 'astringence', 'sujétion', and 'servitude'. In professional or legal contexts, you might see the word used to describe specific types of mandatory service or the 'pénibilité' of certain jobs. You should be able to use the word ironically or humorously in complex social situations. Your understanding of the word should include its role in French history, specifically its abolition during the Revolution, and how this event shaped the French concept of labor and freedom. At this level, 'la corvée' is not just a vocabulary word but a cultural concept that you can use to add depth and nuance to your arguments and descriptions.

At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over 'la corvée'. You can use it in any register, from the most informal slang to the most formal academic prose. You might use it in a philosophical discussion about the nature of work versus labor, or in a deep dive into medieval history. You understand every possible connotation and can use it to evoke specific emotions or historical periods. You are familiar with its use in poetry and high literature, where it might represent the crushing weight of time or duty. You can play with the word, creating puns or using it in highly specific metaphors. Your command of the word is such that you can sense when it is the only word that will fit a particular sentence, and you can explain its unique position in the French lexical field to others. For you, 'la corvée' is a versatile tool for expressing the complex relationship between humans and the tasks they find themselves forced to perform.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

la corvée in 30 Seconds

La corvée is a feminine noun meaning a chore or a tedious, unpleasant task that one feels forced to do.
It originates from feudal forced labor and retains a sense of heavy obligation and resentment in modern usage.
Commonly used in household contexts (e.g., dishwashing) and professional settings to describe boring administrative work.
Key phrases include 'être de corvée' (to be on duty) and 'se taper la corvée' (to have to do the chore).

The French noun la corvée is a word steeped in history that has evolved into a staple of daily frustration in modern French life. At its core, it refers to a task that is perceived as tedious, difficult, unpleasant, or mandatory but unrewarding. While in English we might simply say 'chore' or 'drudgery,' the word corvée carries a specific weight of obligation. It is not just something you do; it is something you must do, often against your will or interest. Historically, the word dates back to the feudal era when peasants were forced to provide unpaid labor to their lords, such as repairing roads or harvesting fields. This sense of 'forced, unpaid labor' remains buried in the word's DNA, which is why French speakers use it today to describe everything from doing the dishes to filing complex tax returns.

Domestic Usage: In a household context, la corvée is synonymous with repetitive cleaning tasks. If you hear a French parent say, 'C'est toujours moi qui me tape la corvée de vaisselle,' they aren't just saying they are doing the dishes; they are expressing a sense of martyrdom and exhaustion regarding the repetitive nature of the task.

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

Professional Context: In the workplace, the word describes administrative 'red tape' or low-value tasks that keep one from doing their actual job. A manager might refer to the annual inventory as 'la corvée de l'inventaire,' signaling to the team that they acknowledge it is a boring but necessary evil.

Je me tape la corvée des poubelles depuis trois semaines car mon colocataire oublie toujours.

Beyond physical labor, the word can also describe social obligations. If you feel forced to attend a boring family dinner or a tedious networking event, you might describe the event itself as a corvée. It suggests that the social interaction lacks joy and is performed solely out of duty. This nuance is important: a 'tâche' (task) is neutral, but a 'corvée' is emotionally negative.

Military Origins: The French military used the term for specific fatigue duties assigned to soldiers, such as the famous 'corvée de patates' (potato peeling duty). This imagery is so strong in French culture that even people who have never served in the military use the phrase to describe any mass preparation of food or repetitive manual labor.

Pour le mariage, toute la famille a été mise à la corvée de pliage des serviettes.

Remplir sa déclaration d'impôts est la la corvée administrative par excellence.

In summary, la corvée is the ultimate word for expressing the 'grind' of life. It encapsulates the feeling of being burdened by necessary but soul-crushing tasks. Whether you are a student facing a mountain of homework or a professional facing a mountain of emails, this word provides the perfect linguistic outlet for your dissatisfaction.

Using la corvée correctly requires understanding its grammatical environment and its emotional weight. It is a feminine noun, so it always takes feminine modifiers (e.g., une grande corvée, cette corvée insupportable). The most common verb associated with it is faire (to do), but as you advance, you will want to use more evocative verbs like s'acquitter de (to fulfill/discharge) or se soustraire à (to escape from).

Standard Construction: The most basic way to use the word is 'faire la corvée de [task]'. This identifies exactly what the unpleasant job is. For example, 'faire la corvée de bois' means to go and collect wood, a task that was historically physically demanding and dirty.

Pendant que nous cuisinons, tu feras la corvée d'eau au puits.

The 'Être de corvée' Idiom: When you are 'de corvée,' it means it is your turn to perform the task. It is a state of being assigned to a chore. 'Qui est de corvée de vaisselle ce soir?' (Who is on dish duty tonight?) is a standard phrase in French households.

Je ne peux pas sortir ce soir, je suis de la corvée de nettoyage au club de sport.

Pour lui, aller faire les courses le samedi est une véritable la corvée.

Metaphorical Extensions: You can use the word to describe abstract concepts. If reading a specific book feels like a struggle, you can say 'ce livre est une corvée à lire'. This tells the listener that the prose is dense, boring, or unengaging.

Répondre à ces centaines d'e-mails est devenu une la corvée quotidienne.

You can also use adjectives to modify the intensity. 'Une corvée fastidieuse' (a tedious chore) or 'une corvée épuisante' (an exhausting chore) are common pairings. In a more formal register, one might say 's'affranchir d'une corvée,' which means to free oneself from a chore or to get it over with. This suggests a methodical approach to finishing something unpleasant.

Il a enfin terminé la corvée de peinture dans la cuisine.

Quelle la corvée de devoir tout recommencer à zéro !

Finally, notice the plural form 'les corvées'. This is often used to refer to the collective set of household duties one must perform on a weekend. 'J'ai fini mes corvées' implies that you have finished the cleaning, the shopping, and the laundry, and you are finally free to relax. This plural usage is very common in domestic dialogue.

To truly master la corvée, you need to recognize its presence in various spheres of French life. It is a word that bridges the gap between the mundane and the historical. You will hear it in the kitchen, in the barracks, in the office, and even in historical documentaries.

In French Households: The most common place to hear this word is during the 'moment de tension' (moment of tension) when chores are being divided. Children might complain about the 'corvée de rangement' (tidying up), while adults might lament the 'corvée des courses' (grocery shopping) on a busy Saturday. It is the language of domestic negotiation.

Les enfants, c'est l'heure de la corvée de nettoyage du jardin !

In the Military and Boarding Schools: In institutions where discipline is key, 'corvée' is used formally. A soldier might be assigned 'corvée de quartier' (cleaning the barracks). In boarding schools, students might have 'corvée de réfectoire' (dining hall duty). Here, the word retains its original sense of mandatory, assigned labor.

À l'internat, nous avions tous une la corvée hebdomadaire à accomplir.

In Media and Literature: French literature often uses 'corvée' to describe the existential weight of a character's life. In Zola's novels, the 'corvée' of the working class is a recurring theme. In modern news, you might see headlines like 'La corvée administrative : un frein pour les entreprises,' discussing how paperwork hinders economic growth.

Le film décrit la corvée quotidienne des mineurs au XIXe siècle.

You will also hear it in the context of sports or hobbies when the 'fun' part is over and the 'work' part begins. For example, a marathon runner might refer to the 'corvée des étirements' (the chore of stretching) or a musician might talk about the 'corvée des gammes' (the chore of practicing scales). In these cases, it highlights the discipline required to maintain a skill.

Pour devenir un grand pianiste, il faut passer par la corvée des exercices techniques.

Il considère chaque visite chez ses beaux-parents comme une la corvée.

Finally, in history classes, students learn about the 'abolition de la corvée' during the French Revolution. This refers to the end of the feudal system where peasants were forced to work for free. Understanding this historical root helps you appreciate why the word sounds so much heavier than a simple 'task' in modern French.

Even advanced learners of French can stumble when using la corvée. The mistakes usually fall into three categories: gender errors, confusion with synonyms, and misinterpreting the level of negativity.

Gender Confusion: Many learners assume that because 'travail' and 'devoir' are masculine, 'corvée' might be too. It is strictly feminine: la corvée. Using 'le corvée' is a very common mistake that immediately marks you as a non-native speaker.

C'est une corvée (Correct) vs C'est un corvée (Incorrect).

Confusion with 'Tâche': While both mean 'task,' a tâche can be pleasant or neutral. A corvée is always unpleasant. If you say 'Ma tâche préférée est de cuisiner,' that's fine. If you say 'Ma corvée préférée est de cuisiner,' you are being contradictory unless you hate cooking but like one specific part of it.

Je dois finir cette tâche importante (Neutral) vs Je dois finir cette la corvée (Complaining).

Overusing the Term: If you call everything a 'corvée,' your French will sound overly negative or dramatic. Reserve it for things that truly feel like a burden. Using it for small, easy tasks like 'the chore of picking up a pen' sounds unnatural.

La la corvée de remplir le formulaire a pris deux heures.

Il s'est esquivé pour éviter la corvée de vaisselle.

Another mistake is using 'corvée' when you mean 'devoir' (duty/homework). While homework can be a chore, 'mes corvées' usually refers to physical tasks, whereas 'mes devoirs' refers to schoolwork. If you tell your teacher 'J'ai fini ma corvée,' they might think you cleaned the classroom rather than finished your essay. Finally, remember that 'corvée' is a noun. You cannot 'corvéer' something. You must use a verb like 'faire,' 'effectuer,' or 'accomplir' alongside the noun.

French has a rich vocabulary for work and effort. Understanding the nuances between la corvée and its synonyms will help you choose the right word for the right situation.

Corvée vs. Tâche: 'Une tâche' is the most neutral term for a task or job. It doesn't imply whether you like it or not. 'La corvée' is the 'evil twin' of the task—it's the one you dread doing.

J'ai plusieurs tâches à faire, mais la vaisselle est la seule la corvée.

Corvée vs. Besogne: 'Besogne' is an older, slightly more literary word for hard work or a task. It often implies a large amount of work. While 'corvée' is about the unpleasantness, 'besogne' is about the sheer volume or effort required. 'S'atteler à la besogne' means to get down to work.

Abattre de la besogne (To get a lot of work done).

Corvée vs. Travail de Romain: This is an idiomatic expression meaning a 'Herculean task' or a massive, long-term project. While a 'corvée' might be short (like taking out the trash), a 'travail de Romain' implies something epic and exhausting that takes a long time to complete.

Construire ce mur tout seul a été un véritable travail de Romain.

Quelle galère de devoir tout nettoyer après l'inondation !

Other alternatives include 'obligation' (when focusing on the lack of choice), 'fardeau' (burden, when focusing on the emotional weight), and 'pénibilité' (arduousness, often used in labor law). Choosing between these depends on whether you want to sound annoyed (corvée), professional (tâche), or dramatic (fardeau). For everyday complaining, 'corvée' remains the undisputed champion of the French language.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The 'corvée' was one of the most hated symbols of the Ancien Régime in France and its abolition was a major demand during the 1789 Revolution.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kɔʁ.ve/

US /kɔr.ve/

The stress in French is generally on the last syllable: kor-VÉ.

Rhymes With

arrivée pensée journée entrée donnée idée soirée année

Common Errors

Pronouncing the final 'e' like 'ee' in 'bee'. It should be a short 'é'.
Confusing the 'or' sound with 'ou' (couvée).
Making the 'r' too soft or English-sounding.
Stress on the first syllable.
Adding an 's' sound at the end in plural (corvées is pronounced the same as corvée).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in literature and news, easy to recognize but has historical nuances.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct gender and preposition usage (corvée de...).

Speaking 3/5

Very useful for daily conversation and complaining.

Listening 3/5

Often spoken with specific emotional inflections.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

travail tâche maison faire devoir

Learn Next

besogne fardeau pénibilité asservissement s'acquitter

Advanced

féodalité vassal Ancien Régime aliénation stoïcisme

Grammar to Know

Gender of nouns ending in -ée

La corvée, la dictée, la soirée (most are feminine).

Preposition 'de' after 'corvée'

La corvée DE vaisselle (specifying the type of chore).

Use of 'être de' for roles/duties

Je suis de corvée / Je suis de service.

Pronominal verbs for avoiding tasks

Se soustraire à, se défiler, s'esquiver.

Pluralizing compound nouns with 'de'

Les corvées de bois (only 'corvée' becomes plural).

Examples by Level

Je déteste la corvée de vaisselle.

I hate the chore of [washing] dishes.

Uses 'la' because corvée is feminine.

C'est une petite corvée pour moi.

It is a small chore for me.

Adjective 'petite' agrees with feminine 'corvée'.

Qui fait la corvée de ménage ?

Who is doing the cleaning chore?

Simple question structure.

Le samedi, c'est la corvée des courses.

On Saturday, it's the grocery shopping chore.

Use of 'des' (de + les) for plural tasks.

Ma corvée est de ranger ma chambre.

My chore is to tidy my room.

Possessive adjective 'ma' used with feminine noun.

Il n'aime pas les corvées.

He does not like chores.

Plural form 'les corvées'.

Faire son lit est une corvée.

Making one's bed is a chore.

Indefinite article 'une'.

C'est la corvée de mon frère.

It is my brother's chore.

Possessive construction with 'de'.

Je suis de corvée de cuisine ce soir.

I am on kitchen duty tonight.

Idiom 'être de corvée de'.

On partage les corvées dans la maison.

We share the chores in the house.

Verb 'partager' (to share).

C'est une corvée nécessaire mais ennuyeuse.

It is a necessary but boring chore.

Adjectives 'nécessaire' and 'ennuyeuse' (feminine).

Tu as fini ta corvée de jardinage ?

Have you finished your gardening chore?

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

La corvée de bois était difficile autrefois.

The wood-collecting chore was difficult in the past.

Imparfait tense 'était'.

Pourquoi est-ce toujours ma corvée ?

Why is it always my chore?

Question with 'pourquoi'.

Elle évite la corvée de repassage.

She avoids the ironing chore.

Verb 'éviter' (to avoid).

Nous avons beaucoup de corvées à faire aujourd'hui.

We have many chores to do today.

Expression of quantity 'beaucoup de'.

Remplir ces formulaires est une véritable corvée administrative.

Filling out these forms is a real administrative chore.

Adjective 'administrative' modifying 'corvée'.

Il s'est défilé pour ne pas faire la corvée de nettoyage.

He slipped away so as not to do the cleaning chore.

Pronominal verb 'se défiler' (to slip away).

Considères-tu le sport comme une corvée ou un plaisir ?

Do you consider sport as a chore or a pleasure?

Verb 'considérer... comme' (to consider... as).

La corvée de patates est une image classique de l'armée.

Potato peeling duty is a classic image of the army.

Noun phrase 'corvée de patates'.

Je me suis tapé la corvée de tout ranger après la fête.

I had to deal with the chore of tidying everything after the party.

Informal verb 'se taper' (to have to do something unpleasant).

C'est une corvée dont je me passerais bien.

It's a chore I would gladly do without.

Relative pronoun 'dont' used with 'se passer de'.

Les corvées domestiques sont souvent mal réparties.

Domestic chores are often poorly distributed.

Adjective 'réparties' (distributed) agrees with 'corvées'.

Il a transformé la corvée en jeu pour les enfants.

He turned the chore into a game for the children.

Verb 'transformer... en' (to turn... into).

S'acquitter de sa corvée quotidienne demande de la discipline.

Fulfilling one's daily chore requires discipline.

Formal verb 's'acquitter de' (to fulfill/carry out).

La corvée royale a été abolie pendant la Révolution française.

The royal corvée was abolished during the French Revolution.

Historical term 'corvée royale'.

Elle voit la lecture de ce rapport technique comme une corvée.

She sees the reading of this technical report as a chore.

Verb 'voir... comme' (to see... as).

Il est parvenu à se soustraire à la corvée de l'inventaire.

He managed to escape the chore of the inventory.

Formal verb 'se soustraire à' (to escape/avoid).

Quelle corvée de devoir tout recommencer à cause d'une erreur !

What a chore to have to start everything over because of a mistake!

Exclamatory structure 'Quelle corvée de...'.

La corvée d'eau était autrefois une tâche quotidienne vitale.

Water-carrying duty was once a vital daily task.

Noun phrase 'corvée d'eau'.

Il a fini par s'habituer à cette corvée ingrate.

He finally got used to this thankless chore.

Adjective 'ingrate' (thankless/unrewarding).

Le bénévolat ne doit pas devenir une corvée pour les participants.

Volunteering should not become a chore for the participants.

Negative structure 'ne doit pas devenir'.

L'auteur décrit la vie paysanne comme une succession de corvées.

The author describes peasant life as a succession of chores.

Noun phrase 'succession de corvées'.

Il s'affranchit des corvées ménagères en embauchant une aide.

He frees himself from household chores by hiring help.

Formal verb 's'affranchir de' (to free oneself from).

La bureaucratie impose parfois des corvées inutiles aux citoyens.

Bureaucracy sometimes imposes useless chores on citizens.

Verb 'imposer' (to impose).

Elle a accompli sa corvée avec une résignation stoïque.

She performed her chore with stoic resignation.

Adverbial phrase 'avec une résignation stoïque'.

Le terme 'corvée' évoque l'asservissement de l'époque féodale.

The term 'corvée' evokes the enslavement of the feudal era.

Verb 'évoquer' (to evoke).

Il ne faut pas que l'éducation soit perçue comme une corvée.

Education must not be perceived as a chore.

Subjunctive mood 'soit perçue' after 'il ne faut pas que'.

Certains voient l'entretien de la maison comme une corvée sans fin.

Some see house maintenance as an endless chore.

Adjective phrase 'sans fin' (endless).

Il s'est plaint de la corvée de devoir rédiger le procès-verbal.

He complained about the chore of having to write the minutes.

Noun phrase 'procès-verbal' (official minutes/record).

L'aliénation par la corvée est un thème central de cette étude sociologique.

Alienation through drudgery is a central theme of this sociological study.

Academic term 'aliénation' (alienation).

Il a fallu s'atteler à la corvée du désamiantage du vieux bâtiment.

It was necessary to get down to the chore of asbestos removal from the old building.

Verb 's'atteler à' (to set oneself to/tackle).

La corvée, jadis impôt en nature, a façonné le paysage rural français.

The corvée, formerly a tax in kind, shaped the French rural landscape.

Apposition 'jadis impôt en nature'.

Elle a su transcender la corvée pour en faire une forme d'ascèse.

She was able to transcend the chore to turn it into a form of asceticism.

Verb 'transcender' (to transcend).

Le récit dénonce la corvée comme un instrument d'oppression sociale.

The narrative denounces the corvée as an instrument of social oppression.

Verb 'dénoncer' (to denounce).

Cette corvée récurrente finit par émousser toute créativité.

This recurring chore ends up blunting all creativity.

Verb 'émousser' (to blunt/dull).

Il s'est dérobé à sa corvée avec une habileté déconcertante.

He evaded his chore with disconcerting skill.

Formal verb 'se dérober à' (to evade/shirk).

La corvée de l'écriture n'est que le prélude à la joie de l'édition.

The drudgery of writing is but the prelude to the joy of publishing.

Restrictive structure 'ne... que' (only).

Common Collocations

faire la corvée

être de corvée

corvée administrative

corvée de vaisselle

corvée de patates

véritable corvée

s'acquitter d'une corvée

se soustraire à la corvée

corvée quotidienne

abolition de la corvée

Common Phrases

Quelle corvée !

— What a chore! Used as an exclamation when facing an annoying task.

Devoir tout recommencer ? Quelle corvée !

Se taper la corvée

— To be stuck with the chore. Very common in informal speech.

Je me suis tapé la corvée de tout ranger.

La corvée de bois

— Collecting wood. Historically a hard task, now used for any outdoor manual labor.

Allez, c'est l'heure de la corvée de bois pour le feu.

Être de corvée de...

— To be assigned to a specific duty.

Je suis de corvée de balayage cette semaine.

Une corvée ingrate

— A thankless chore. A task that is hard but no one notices or appreciates.

Nettoyer les filtres est une corvée ingrate.

S'affranchir de la corvée

— To get the chore over with or to free oneself from it.

Il a embauché quelqu'un pour s'affranchir de la corvée de tonte.

La corvée d'eau

— Water duty. Historically fetching water, now used for carrying heavy things.

Pendant le camping, tu t'occupes de la corvée d'eau.

Éviter la corvée

— To avoid the chore.

Il trouve toujours une excuse pour éviter la corvée.

Mettre à la corvée

— To put someone on chore duty.

Le professeur a mis les élèves à la corvée de ramassage des papiers.

La corvée des devoirs

— The chore of homework. Used by parents or students to describe schoolwork.

On a enfin fini la corvée des devoirs.

Often Confused With

la corvée vs couvée

A brood of eggs or chicks. Sounds similar but unrelated.

la corvée vs courve

Not a French word, but learners sometimes confuse the spelling with 'courbe' (curve).

la corvée vs convoi

A convoy. Phonetically different but can be confused by beginners.

Idioms & Expressions

"La corvée de patates"

— Refers to potato peeling duty in the army, used to describe any repetitive, low-skill manual task.

On m'a collé à la corvée de patates toute l'après-midi.

informal/humorous

"La corvée de bois"

— Historically collecting wood, but also a dark euphemism from the Algerian War for summary executions.

Il faut faire attention au contexte historique de la corvée de bois.

historical/sensitive

"Se taper le sale boulot"

— To do the dirty work. Similar in spirit to 'se taper la corvée'.

C'est toujours moi qui me tape le sale boulot.

informal

"Être de corvée de quartier"

— To be on cleaning duty for a specific area, usually in a military or institutional context.

Le caporal est de corvée de quartier aujourd'hui.

military

"Une corvée de Romain"

— A variation of 'travail de Romain', implying a chore of massive proportions.

Nettoyer ce grenier est une véritable corvée de Romain.

neutral

"S'acquitter de sa tâche"

— To perform one's task, often used when the task is a corvée.

Il s'est acquitté de sa tâche sans dire un mot.

formal

"Passer à la corvée"

— To move on to the unpleasant part of a job.

Après la fête, il faut passer à la corvée.

neutral

"Une corvée de tous les diables"

— A hell of a chore. Used to emphasize how difficult or annoying a task is.

C'est une corvée de tous les diables de réparer cette machine.

informal

"La corvée de plumes"

— Plucking feathers. An old term for a tedious task involving small details.

Trier ces dossiers, c'est la corvée de plumes.

dated

"La corvée de balayage"

— Sweeping duty. A classic institutional chore.

Tu as été désigné pour la corvée de balayage.

neutral

Easily Confused

la corvée vs tâche

Both mean 'task'.

Tâche is neutral; corvée is negative/burdensome. You can have a 'tâche passionnante' but not a 'corvée passionnante'.

Laver les vitres est une tâche, mais pour moi, c'est une corvée.

la corvée vs devoir

Both imply obligation.

Devoir is a moral duty or schoolwork; corvée is a tedious physical or administrative task.

C'est mon devoir de t'aider, mais c'est une corvée de porter tes sacs.

la corvée vs besogne

Both refer to work.

Besogne implies a large quantity of hard work; corvée implies the unpleasantness of the task.

Il a abattu une grosse besogne, mais chaque minute était une corvée.

la corvée vs travail

General term for work.

Travail is your job or effort; corvée is a specific unpleasant part of that work.

J'aime mon travail, sauf la corvée des rapports mensuels.

la corvée vs fardeau

Both mean burden.

Fardeau is more metaphorical or heavy; corvée is more mundane and routine.

Le secret était un fardeau, tandis que le ménage était une corvée.

Sentence Patterns

Je fais la corvée de [noun].

Je fais la corvée de vaisselle.

C'est ma corvée de [verb-ing/noun].

C'est ma corvée de ranger.

Je me tape la corvée de [noun].

Je me tape la corvée de ménage.

Être de corvée de [noun].

Nous sommes de corvée de cuisine.

S'acquitter d'une corvée [adjective].

Il s'acquitte d'une corvée ingrate.

La corvée comme [abstract concept].

La corvée comme instrument d'aliénation.

Se soustraire à la corvée de [noun].

Elle se soustrait à la corvée de l'inventaire.

Considérer [something] comme une corvée.

Je considère cela comme une corvée.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in domestic and administrative contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'le corvée'. → La corvée.
Corvée is a feminine noun. This is the most common error for English speakers.
Using 'corvée' for homework without 'de'. → La corvée des devoirs.
You must specify the type of chore using 'de'. Just saying 'ma corvée' for homework is vague.
Using it for a task you enjoy. → Ma tâche / Ma passion.
A corvée is by definition unpleasant. Using it for a hobby sounds contradictory.
Confusing 'corvée' with 'couvée'. → Corvée (chore) vs Couvée (brood).
They sound similar but have completely different meanings. Pay attention to the 'or' sound.
Using 'corvéer' as a verb. → Faire une corvée.
Corvée is only a noun. There is no corresponding verb 'corvéer'.

Tips

Use it for emphasis

When you want to show how much you dislike a task, use 'une véritable corvée' instead of just 'une tâche'. It makes your French sound more expressive and natural.

Remember the feminine

Always use 'la' or 'une'. Think of other feminine words ending in -ée like 'journée' or 'soirée' to help you remember the gender.

Learn the collocations

Don't just learn the word, learn the phrases: 'corvée de vaisselle', 'corvée de bois', 'corvée de patates'. These are how the word is actually used by natives.

Historical context

Understanding that it was once 'forced labor' helps you understand the slight sense of injustice or resentment French people feel when using the word.

Be careful with favors

If someone asks you for a favor, don't call it a 'corvée' to their face unless you want to be rude. It implies helping them is a painful burden.

Master 'Être de corvée'

This is the most useful phrase for living in France. Use it when discussing who is doing the cleaning or the cooking in a group.

Vary your verbs

Instead of always using 'faire', try 's'acquitter de' for a more formal tone or 'se taper' for a very informal, frustrated tone.

Listen for the 'de'

The word is almost always followed by 'de' and a noun. This helps you identify what specific task is being complained about.

Use it ironically

You can use 'corvée' ironically for things that are actually easy, but you are being dramatic. 'Quelle corvée de devoir manger ce gâteau !'

Administrative burden

In a work context, use 'corvée administrative' to bond with colleagues over shared annoyance with paperwork.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'CORE' task that makes you go 'VÉ' (like 'ugh'). A core-vé is a chore that is central to your day but you hate it.

Visual Association

Imagine a soldier in a French uniform sadly peeling a giant mountain of potatoes. This is the 'corvée de patates'.

Word Web

Ménage Vaisselle Obligation Pénible Soldat Féodalité Ennui Travail

Challenge

Try to identify three 'corvées' you have to do today and say them out loud in French: 'Ma première corvée est...'

Word Origin

Derived from the Medieval Latin 'corrogata', which comes from 'corrogare' (to request or summon together).

Original meaning: A work requested or demanded by a lord from his vassals or tenants.

Romance (Latin)

Cultural Context

Be aware of the historical use of 'corvée de bois' as a euphemism for executions during the Algerian War.

The English equivalent 'chore' is less historically charged but covers the same daily domestic ground.

The abolition of the corvée (1789) in French history books. The 'corvée de patates' in the film 'Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez'. Zola's descriptions of labor in 'Germinal'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Household cleaning

corvée de vaisselle
corvée de ménage
corvée de repassage
corvée de poubelles

Professional/Office

corvée administrative
corvée de l'inventaire
corvée de rédaction
corvée de classement

Military/School

corvée de patates
corvée de quartier
corvée de réfectoire
être de corvée

Shopping/Errands

corvée des courses
corvée de la poste
corvée de banque
corvée de transport

History/Sociology

abolition de la corvée
corvée royale
répartition des corvées
corvée médiévale

Conversation Starters

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

"Penses-tu que les corvées sont bien réparties dans ta famille ?"

"À ton avis, remplir sa déclaration d'impôts est-il la pire des corvées ?"

"As-tu déjà dû faire une 'corvée de patates' ou quelque chose de similaire ?"

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

Journal Prompts

Décris une corvée que tu devais faire quand tu étais enfant et ce que tu ressentais.

Réfléchis à la différence entre une 'tâche' et une 'corvée' dans ton travail actuel.

Imagine que la corvée royale existe encore aujourd'hui. Quel travail devrais-tu faire pour l'État ?

Écris sur une corvée que tu as finalement appris à apprécier avec le temps.

Analyse comment la technologie a supprimé certaines corvées mais en a créé de nouvelles.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, while commonly used for household chores like 'la corvée de vaisselle', it can describe any unpleasant task, such as administrative paperwork, boring social events, or repetitive professional duties.

'Tâche' is a neutral word for a job or assignment. 'Corvée' specifically implies that the task is annoying, tedious, or something you are forced to do against your will.

Yes, but usually you would say 'la corvée des devoirs' to emphasize that you find the homework very boring or burdensome. Normally, you just say 'mes devoirs'.

It is always feminine: 'la corvée' or 'une corvée'. This is a common mistake for learners because 'travail' is masculine.

It means to be assigned to a specific chore or duty. For example, 'Je suis de corvée de poubelles' means 'It's my turn/duty to take out the trash'.

It comes from medieval Latin 'corrogata', referring to the forced, unpaid labor peasants owed to their feudal lords. This history gives the word its sense of 'forced obligation'.

No, it is a standard French word. However, it is very common in informal speech when people are complaining about their daily lives.

Only if you are being slightly informal or expressing frustration to a close colleague. In a formal report, you should use 'tâche' or 'obligation'.

It's a classic French expression for potato peeling duty in the army. It is often used humorously to describe any boring, repetitive manual task.

The final 'ée' is pronounced like a closed 'é' (as in 'café'). The 'e' at the very end is silent and just marks the feminine gender.