Métier or profession? Ask what someone does in French
Ask about work in French, answer with an occupation and distinguish it from an employer or a post. Compare métier and profession with examples and a short quiz.
In short
Un métier and une profession can both mean an occupation. Métier often highlights the work or skills involved; profession is common in formal questions and on forms. Ask Vous faites quoi dans la vie ? in conversation, or Quelle est votre profession ? in a more formal exchange.
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How do you ask what someone does in French?
| Question | Tone or setting | Possible answer |
|---|---|---|
| Vous faites quoi dans la vie ? | conversational | Je suis architecte. |
| Quel est votre métier ? | a direct question about the work | Je suis enseignante. |
| Quelle est votre profession ? | formal question or form | Je suis cuisinier. |
Both métier and profession can describe a teacher, a carpenter or an architect. Métier readily refers to learned skills: apprendre un métier. Profession often names the occupation as a category: a form may ask for nom, adresse and profession.
People and their work
Find:
Why is it je suis médecin, not je suis un médecin?
Je suis cuisinier.I am a cook.
Focus: a simple occupation answer, with no article after être
Je suis architecte à Lyon.
I am an architect in Lyon.
C’est un cuisinier.He is a cook.
Focus: identifying someone with c’est + article
C’est une enseignante.
She is a teacher.
Elle exerce un métier passionnant. Elle exerce la profession d’architecte.
She does fascinating work. She works as an architect.
Exercer works with both nouns. Keep the genders: un métier, une profession.
A new employer, the same occupation
- Léa
Tu changes de métier ?
Are you changing occupation?
- Malik
Non, je suis toujours cuisinier. Je change de restaurant.
No, I’m still a cook. I’m changing restaurants.
- Léa
Et ton nouveau poste ?
And your new position?
- Malik
Je serai chef de cuisine.
I’ll be head chef.
| Word | Detail | In the scene |
|---|---|---|
| le métier | the occupation | cuisinier |
| l’entreprise | the employer or company | un autre restaurant |
| le poste | the specific position | chef de cuisine |
Cette menuisière a du métier : elle travaille avec beaucoup de précision.
This carpenter has experience: she works with great precision.
Avoir du métier means having practical experience and know-how.