USEFUL PHRASES AND EXPRESSIONS IN FRENCH FOR BUSINESS: MASTER KEY VOCABULARY

French for business is one of the key tools and our best ally to internationalize our company. That is why, if we want to work on business opportunities in these new French-speaking regions, we need to be clear about the level of French for business your employees need.

In addition, it is very important to take into account more than just understanding and speaking the language. Not only is it vital that your employees can master the vocabulary of French for business, but also that they have internalized French business etiquette. We assure you that, if your employees are clear about all this, you will stand out from your competition and you will be able to expand your market wherever you want.

French for business: everything you need to know in business French

The French we use in the street or in casual conversation is not the same as the French we need when negotiating with clients or suppliers. French for business is full of technical terms, very specific vocabulary, very businesslike expressions and formalism. An example of this is when the form “tu” or “vous” can be used. In a business meeting we should always use the “vous” form (formal), as this allows you and your team to maintain formality at all times. Only if the client starts referring to you as “you” can you switch to this pronoun. This will denote that they feel comfortable with you and trust you.

Likewise, although we are not used to it in Spanish, it is most common to refer to each other with “madame” (madam) or “monsieur” (sir) in business meetings. Using these words denotes respect and seriousness, so potential clients will be more likely to trust your company. It is important to consider what greeting you use in business meetings. Although people all over France greet each other with two (or depending on the region, three) kisses on the cheek, don’t even think of doing this in a business meeting. It is best to give a firm, short handshake to all members of the team.

Essential expressions for negotiations:

Just as in any language, there are very specific idioms which, if you manage to apply them to a conversation, will denote that you have a great command and knowledge of this language and that, therefore, you know what you are talking about for sure.

• Nous sommes ici aujourd’hui pour parler de…: Today we are here to talk about…: We are here today to talk about…
• Ensuite, nous examinerons…: Next, let’s see….
• Porter ses fuits: To bear its fruits.
• Je suis de votre avis: I agree with you.
• Laissez-moi continuer, s’il vous plait: Let me continue, please.
• J’aimerais beaucoup recevoir cette information par e-mail: I would very much like you to send me this information by e-mail.
• C’est à prendre ou à laisser: Take it or leave it.

Continuing with French for business, some of the essential terms that your employees need to know, regardless of the French-speaking country you are in, are as follows:

How to get my employees to master French for companies:

Even though your employees may have a very high level of French, they still need to know and master the vocabulary and expressions we have shown you. Do your employees not know these terms and how to apply them to their job? Don’t worry, at Classgap for Enterprise we have more than 10 years of experience in the education sector. That is why all our courses are 100% customized based on the knowledge, objectives and needs of the company and each employee. In order to offer the best possible training we have developed our “Virtual Classroom” platform, where teacher and student can have a totally bidirectional communication at all times, give live classes, share notes, carry out practices… everything you can imagine in a completely online way.

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Likewise, the best way to learn French for business is through One-to-One classes or small groups. These are ideal because, being a private class with one student or a very limited number of students, you can work directly on the needs of each person and achieve better results in a short period of time. For example, if you want your sales people to start working in a new region, it is best to opt for a small group. On the other hand, if your managers have to hold international meetings or give talks, the best thing is a One-to-One class to focus directly on the work they have to do so that it goes perfectly.

If you are not sure how to approach the training of your employees, don’t worry. At Classgap for Enterprise we have a totally free audit service where our experts in the field will advise you and accompany you throughout the whole process.

You’ve already seen that training your employees in French for business is essential to expand your business! In that case, what are you waiting for? Contact us today and give your employees the opportunity to get the best business deals thanks to French for business!