But or objectif: how to talk about a goal in French
Compare but and objectif in plans, then recognise a football goal and a camera lens. Examples and four questions cover the meanings that cause confusion.
In short
Un but and un objectif can both mean a goal or aim. Le but du projet est de… and l’objectif du projet est de… can introduce the same purpose. In other contexts, un but is a football goal and un objectif is a camera lens.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learnRed watch out
What is the difference between but and objectif?
le butthe aim
Focus: what you want to achieve
avoir pour but de + infinitive
Cette formation a pour but de préparer les candidats aux entretiens.
This training aims to prepare candidates for interviews.
l’objectifthe objective
Focus: a target you set or work towards
se fixer un objectif
Je me fixe un objectif : présenter mon expérience en deux minutes.
I’m setting myself a goal: to present my experience in two minutes.
Both nouns are masculine: un but précis, un objectif précis. Either aim can be broad or detailed. In a plan, objectif often introduces a target; a number is optional. Compare Mon objectif est de changer de métier with Mon objectif est d’envoyer trois candidatures cette semaine.
- Nora
Quel est le but de cet exercice ?
What is the aim of this exercise?
- Malik
Parler clairement de tes compétences.
To talk clearly about your skills.
- Nora
Et comment on fait ?
And how do we do it?
- Malik
On prépare trois exemples, puis on fait un entretien ensemble.
We prepare three examples, then have an interview together.
| Role | French example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Aim | Mon but est de parler plus clairement. | What I want to achieve. |
| Means | Je m’entraîne avec une collègue. | How I work towards it. |
| Result | J’ai atteint mon objectif. | I have achieved it. |
What else does but mean in French?
Four things in the other meanings
Find:
La journaliste présente une analyse objective.
The journalist presents an objective analysis.
As an adjective, objectif means impartial or objective; the feminine is objective.