CEFR B1-B2
French Business Phrases: Meetings, Emails, and Professional Communication
French business culture is notably formal. The vous-form is universal in business contexts, the formal politeness register dominates emails and meetings, and the cultural pacing around relationship-building before transactional discussion is more deliberate than US business culture. These phrases handle the standard professional French-language interactions.
Pleased to meet you.
Enchante / enchantee .
IPA /ɑ̃ʃɑ̃te də vu ʁɑ̃kɔ̃tʁe/
ahn-shahn-TAY duh voo rahn-kohn-TRAY
Default first-meeting phrase. The masculine 'enchante' and feminine 'enchantee' agree with the speaker.
What do you do for work?
- ?
IPA /kə fɛt vu dɑ̃ la vi/
kuh fet voo dahn la VEE
Polite formal way to ask about someone's profession. The inversion 'faites-vous' is the formal register. Informal alternative: 'tu fais quoi dans la vie ?'
Could you send me the documents by email?
- ' documents mail ?
IPA /puʁje vu mɑ̃vwaje le dɔkymɑ̃ paʁ mɛl/
poo-ree-AY voo mahn-vwa-YAY lay do-koo-MAHN par mehl
'Pourriez-vous' is the polite conditional. 'Mail' is the universal loanword; the formal alternative 'courrier electronique' exists but reads as bookish.
I would like to schedule a meeting.
planifier .
IPA /ʒə vudʁɛ planifje yn ʁeynjɔ̃/
zhuh voo-DRAY pla-nee-fee-AY oon ray-oo-nee-OHN
'Planifier' or 'fixer' both work for scheduling. 'Une reunion' is the standard word for meeting.
Could we discuss this in more detail?
- detail ?
IPA /puʁjɔ̃ nu diskyte də səla plyz ɑ̃ detaj/
poo-ree-OHN noo dees-koo-TAY duh suh-LA ploo zahn day-TAH-yuh
Formal register with inversion 'pourrions-nous'. Less formal alternative: 'on peut en discuter plus en detail ?'
I appreciate your time.
remercie .
IPA /ʒə vu ʁəmɛʁsi puʁ vɔtʁ tɑ̃/
zhuh voo ruh-mehr-SEE poor VO-truh tahn
Formal closing for business interactions. The verb 'remercier' is the formal way to express gratitude.
Could we set a deadline?
- fixer date butoir ?
IPA /puʁjɔ̃ nu fikse yn dat bytwaʁ/
poo-ree-OHN noo feek-SAY oon dat boo-TWAR
'Date butoir' is the standard French for deadline. 'Echeance' is the more formal alternative.
What is your budget for this project?
budget ?
IPA /kɛl ɛ vɔtʁ bydʒɛ puʁ sə pʁɔʒɛ/
kell ay VO-truh boo-ZHAY poor suh pro-ZHAY
We need to discuss the contract terms.
termes contrat.
IPA /nu dəvɔ̃ diskyte de tɛʁm dy kɔ̃tʁa/
noo duh-VOHN dees-koo-TAY day tehrm doo kohn-TRA
Could we postpone the meeting?
- reporter ?
IPA /puʁjɔ̃ nu ʁəpɔʁte la ʁeynjɔ̃/
poo-ree-OHN noo ruh-por-TAY la ray-oo-nee-OHN
I will get back to you soon.
recontacterai .
IPA /ʒə vu ʁəkɔ̃taktəʁe su pø/
zhuh voo ruh-kohn-tak-tuh-RAY soo puh
Formal you. For informal: 'je te recontacterai bientot'.
Thank you for your prompt response.
remercie .
IPA /ʒə vu ʁəmɛʁsi puʁ vɔtʁ ʁepɔ̃s ʁapid/
zhuh voo ruh-mehr-SEE poor VO-truh ray-PONS ra-PEED
Standard formal email closing. Pair with 'cordialement' (cordially) or 'sincerely yours' equivalent 'bien cordialement' as the sign-off.
Regional notes
France
French business culture maintains formal register longer than most other European business cultures. Vous is universal in first meetings and often persists for years even with familiar colleagues. The lunch culture is real: French business lunches can run 90 minutes to two hours and are part of the relationship-building rather than separate from it. Punctuality is moderately observed in Paris; more strictly in Lyon and the south.
Quebec
Quebec business culture has stronger North American influence: more casual register, faster transition to first names, shorter lunches. The vous-form is still standard in first interactions but the shift to tu happens earlier than in France. Business cards exchanged with both hands is rare in Quebec; the North American casual exchange is more common.
Belgium
Belgian French business culture is close to French France with slightly less formal-register persistence. Business meetings often involve multiple languages (French, Dutch, English) in Brussels-based companies; code-switching between French and English mid-meeting is common.
Switzerland (French-speaking)
Swiss business culture is famously punctual and formal. Vous is standard and persists longer than in France. Meetings are tightly scheduled; lateness is more strongly noted than in France. Salaries and prices are higher than French equivalents.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Should I use vous or tu in French business contexts?
Default to vous always in any first business meeting and in all formal contexts. The shift to tu is invited explicitly: 'On peut se tutoyer ?' (can we switch to tu?). Pre-emptively using tu is one of the most consistent ways foreign visitors come across as inappropriately casual in French business contexts.
What is the right level of formality for French business emails?
Higher than English business emails. Open with 'Bonjour Monsieur [surname]' or 'Bonjour Madame [surname]' in first contacts (or 'Cher / Chere [Monsieur / Madame] [surname]' for more formal). Close with 'Cordialement' (Cordially), 'Bien cordialement' (Best cordially), or 'Salutations distinguees' (Distinguished greetings) for very formal. First names are used only after explicit invitation.
Is it appropriate to address French business contacts by their first name?
Only after invitation. French business culture defaults to 'Monsieur [surname]' or 'Madame [surname]' in first interactions. The shift to first names happens when the senior person uses your first name or when you have been working together for a while. Pre-emptive first-name usage is considered presumptuous, particularly in traditional sectors (banking, law, civil service).
What is a 'cocktail' in French business contexts?
A 'cocktail' (sometimes 'cocktail dinatoire') is the French equivalent of a networking reception - a standing-up event with light food and drinks where business contacts mingle. They are common after conferences, at the end of significant business days, and as launch events. The cultural register is more formal than US equivalent networking events; expect business attire and structured conversation.