When you're at a C2 level in French, you'll find that the word "prospect" (masculine noun) is used in a very similar way to its English counterpart. It refers to someone who is a potential customer or client, someone you're trying to win over. You'll often hear it in business contexts, like talking about a list of potential clients. It's quite straightforward and directly translates to "prospect" in this sense.
prospect 30秒了解
- Potential customer
- Sales lead
- Someone to sell to
§ Don't confuse 'prospect' with 'perspective'
This is a very common trap for English speakers. In English, 'prospect' can mean a future possibility or outlook. In French, un prospect almost exclusively refers to a potential client. If you want to talk about a "prospect" in the sense of a future outlook or a point of view, you need different words.
- DEFINITION
- What you might think 'prospect' means (but it doesn't in French)
A future outlook/possibility: Use une perspective, une possibilité, or un avenir.
A view/point of view: Use une vue, un point de vue.
Les perspectives d'emploi sont bonnes. (The employment prospects/outlook are good.)
J'ai une bonne vue depuis ma fenêtre. (I have a good view from my window.)
§ Gender of 'prospect'
'Prospect' is masculine in French: un prospect. Even if the potential client is a woman, you generally use un prospect when referring to the role. However, if you are specifically referring to the person and want to highlight their gender, you could say une cliente potentielle or une future cliente. But 'un prospect' remains common for both genders in a business context.
Nous avons identifié dix nouveaux prospects cette semaine. (We identified ten new prospects this week.)
§ Using 'prospecter' (verb)
While 'prospect' is a noun, the verb prospecter means 'to prospect' or 'to canvass for clients'. This is a direct cognate and usually causes fewer issues.
Il faut prospecter de nouveaux marchés. (We need to prospect for new markets.)
§ Avoiding 'prospect' as an adjective
In English, we can say 'prospect client' or 'prospect customer'. In French, 'prospect' is a noun, not an adjective. You wouldn't say client prospect. You'd use un prospect on its own, or specify with un client potentiel or un futur client.
- DO SAY
- Un prospect (A prospect)
- Un client potentiel (A potential client)
- Un futur client (A future client)
- DON'T SAY
- ~~client prospect~~
§ Recap of common errors
Using prospect for general future possibilities (use perspective).
Forgetting prospect is masculine (un prospect).
Trying to use prospect as an adjective.
By keeping these points in mind, you'll use 'prospect' correctly and sound much more natural in your French business conversations. Practice makes perfect, so try to integrate these distinctions into your next French practice session!
需要掌握的语法
Nouns in French have a gender (masculine or feminine). 'Prospect' is masculine.
Un bon prospect (A good prospect)
The plural of 'prospect' is 'prospects'.
Beaucoup de prospects (Many prospects)
Articles (definite, indefinite, partitive) are used before nouns and agree in gender and number.
Le prospect (The prospect), Un prospect (A prospect), Des prospects (Some prospects)
Adjectives describing 'prospect' will agree in gender and number.
Un nouveau prospect (A new prospect), Des nouveaux prospects (Some new prospects)
Prepositions (like 'à', 'de', 'pour') are used to show relationships between 'prospect' and other words.
Parler à un prospect (To talk to a prospect), Un email pour un prospect (An email for a prospect)
常见搭配
常用短语
Nous avons de nombreux prospects intéressés par notre produit.
We have many prospects [who are] interested in our product.
Il faut transformer ce prospect en client.
We need to turn this prospect into a client.
Comment identifier les meilleurs prospects ?
How to identify the best prospects?
L'équipe commerciale contacte les nouveaux prospects.
The sales team contacts the new prospects.
Ce salon est une excellente source de prospects.
This trade show is an excellent source of prospects.
J'ai un rendez-vous avec un prospect important demain.
I have an appointment with an important prospect tomorrow.
Ils ont perdu un prospect à cause d'une mauvaise communication.
They lost a prospect because of bad communication.
Notre objectif est d'acquérir plus de prospects qualifiés.
Our goal is to acquire more qualified prospects.
Chaque prospect est unique et a des besoins différents.
Every prospect is unique and has different needs.
Il suit ses prospects de près pour ne rien rater.
He follows his prospects closely so as not to miss anything.
自我测试 6 个问题
L'entreprise cherche de nouveaux ___ pour développer son marché.
In this context, 'prospects' refers to potential new customers that the company is trying to attract.
Le commercial a une liste de ___ à contacter cette semaine.
A salesperson (commercial) would typically have a list of potential customers (prospects) to reach out to.
Il est important de qualifier les ___ avant de leur proposer une offre.
Qualifying 'prospects' means assessing if they are genuinely interested or suitable for an offer.
Notre stratégie marketing vise à transformer les ___ en clients fidèles.
The goal of marketing is often to convert potential customers (prospects) into actual, loyal customers.
Le salon professionnel est une excellente occasion de rencontrer de nouveaux ___.
Trade shows are ideal for networking and finding new potential clients or customers (prospects).
Nous avons besoin de générer plus de ___ pour atteindre nos objectifs de vente.
To achieve sales targets, a business needs a steady stream of potential customers (prospects).
/ 6 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
A 'prospect' is a potential customer or client, a common term in business and sales.
- Potential customer
- Sales lead
- Someone to sell to
相关内容
这个词在其他语言中
更多work词汇
à distance
A2Remotely, from a distance; not in person or on site.
à durée déterminée
B1For a fixed or definite period; fixed-term.
à durée indéterminée
B1For an indefinite period; permanent (e.g., contract).
à la fin
A2At the end, at the conclusion of something.
à la journée
B1Daily, by the day.
à la semaine
B1Weekly, by the week.
à l'année
B1Annually, by the year.
à l'attention de
B1Directed to; for the attention of.
à l'avance
A2In advance; beforehand.
à l'issue de
A2At the end of, following; upon the conclusion of.
