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Dropping the article for professions

When you start learning French, talking about what you do for a living is one of the very first conversation skills you practice. It is a fantastic way to introduce yourself and get to know others. However, English speakers often trip over a small detail when translating their job title into French.

Because we are so used to saying things a certain way, we tend to transfer our English grammar rules directly. In English, we always use the indefinite articles a or an before a profession. In French, you drop the article completely. Words like médecin, professeur, and ingénieur all follow this rule.

Word list
acteurmA1 actor il est acteur = he is an actor actricefA1 actress elle est actrice = she is an actress artisteA1 artist elle est artiste = she is an artist dentisteA1 dentist il est dentiste = he is a dentist docteurmA1 doctor il est docteur = he is a doctor (médecin is more standard) élèveA1 student elle est élève au lycée = she is a student enseignantmA1 teacher il est enseignant = he is a teacher enseignantefA1 teacher elle est enseignante = she is a teacher étudiantmA1 student il est étudiant = he is a student étudiantefA1 student elle est étudiante = she is a student médecinmA1 doctor il est médecin = he is a doctor musicienmA1 musician il est musicien = he is a musician profA1 teacher elle est prof = she is a teacher (informal) professeurmA1 teacher elle est professeur = she is a teacher serveurmA1 waiter il est serveur = he is a waiter serveusefA1 waitress elle est serveuse = she is a waitress agriculteurmA2 farmer il est agriculteur = he is a farmer architecteA2 architect il est architecte = he is an architect auteurmA2 author il est auteur = he is an author avocatmA2 lawyer il est avocat = he is a lawyer avocatefA2 lawyer elle est avocate = she is a lawyer boulangermA2 baker il est boulanger = he is a baker boulangèrefA2 baker elle est boulangère = she is a baker caissiermA2 cashier il est caissier = he is a cashier caissièrefA2 cashier elle est caissière = she is a cashier capitaineA2 captain elle est capitaine = she is a captain chanteurmA2 singer il est chanteur = he is a singer chanteusefA2 singer elle est chanteuse = she is a singer chauffeurmA2 driver il est chauffeur = he is a driver chefmA2 chef il est chef dans un restaurant = he is a chef chef cuisiniermA2 chef il est chef cuisinier = he is a chef clownA2 clown il est clown = he is a clown coiffeurmA2 hairdresser il est coiffeur = he is a hairdresser coiffeusefA2 hairdresser elle est coiffeuse = she is a hairdresser comédienmA2 actor il est comédien = he is an actor comédiennefA2 actress elle est comédienne = she is an actress conducteurmA2 driver il est conducteur de bus = he is a driver écrivainmA2 writer il est écrivain = he is a writer écrivainefA2 writer elle est écrivaine = she is a writer femme politiquefA2 politician elle est femme politique = she is a politician fermiermA2 farmer il est fermier = he is a farmer guideA2 tour guide elle est guide = she is a tour guide guide touristiqueA2 tour guide il est guide touristique = he is a tour guide homme d'affairesmA2 businessman il est homme d'affaires = he is a businessman homme politiquemA2 politician il est homme politique = he is a politician infirmiermA2 nurse il est infirmier = he is a nurse infirmièrefA2 nurse elle est infirmière = she is a nurse ingénieurmA2 engineer il est ingénieur = he is an engineer instituteurmA2 teacher il est instituteur = he is a teacher institutricefA2 teacher elle est institutrice = she is a teacher journalisteA2 journalist elle est journaliste = she is a journalist jugeA2 judge elle est juge = she is a judge maîtremA2 teacher il est maître d'école = he is a teacher peintreA2 painter il est peintre = he is a painter photographeA2 photographer elle est photographe = she is a photographer piloteA2 pilot elle est pilote = she is a pilot poètemA2 poet il est poète = he is a poet policiermA2 policeman il est policier = he is a policeman politicienmA2 politician il est politicien = he is a politician politiciennefA2 politician elle est politicienne = she is a politician pompiermA2 firefighter il est pompier = he is a firefighter pompièrefA2 firefighter elle est pompière = she is a firefighter présidentmA2 president il est président = he is a president réalisateurmA2 director il est réalisateur = he is a director réalisatricefA2 director elle est réalisatrice = she is a director scientifiqueA2 scientist il est scientifique = he is a scientist secrétaireA2 secretary elle est secrétaire = she is a secretary soldatmA2 soldier il est soldat = he is a soldier animateurmB1 presenter il est animateur radio = he is a presenter animatricefB1 presenter elle est animatrice = she is a presenter assistantmB1 assistant il est assistant = he is an assistant assistantefB1 assistant elle est assistante = she is an assistant astronauteB1 astronaut elle est astronaute = she is an astronaut athlèteB1 athlete elle est athlète = she is an athlete baby-sitterB1 babysitter elle est baby-sitter = she is a babysitter barbiermB1 barber il est barbier = he is a barber barmanmB1 bartender il est barman = he is a bartender bergermB1 shepherd il est berger = he is a shepherd bouchermB1 butcher il est boucher = he is a butcher bouchèrefB1 butcher elle est bouchère = she is a butcher boxeurmB1 boxer il est boxeur = he is a boxer boxeusefB1 boxer elle est boxeuse = she is a boxer camionneurmB1 truck driver il est camionneur = he is a truck driver charpentiermB1 carpenter il est charpentier = he is a carpenter chasseurmB1 hunter il est chasseur = he is a hunter chauffeur de taximB1 taxi driver il est chauffeur de taxi = he is a taxi driver chauffeur routiermB1 truck driver il est chauffeur routier = he is a truck driver chimisteB1 chemist elle est chimiste = she is a chemist cinéasteB1 director elle est cinéaste = she is a director comptableB1 accountant elle est comptable = she is an accountant cuisiniermB1 cook il est cuisinier = he is a cook cuisinièrefB1 cook elle est cuisinière = she is a cook détectiveB1 detective il est détective = he is a detective directeurmB1 principal il est directeur d'école = he is a principal directeurmB1 manager il est directeur commercial = he is a sales manager directricefB1 principal elle est directrice d'école = she is a principal directricefB1 manager elle est directrice = she is a manager économisteB1 economist elle est économiste = she is an economist entraîneurmB1 coach il est entraîneur = he is a coach facteurmB1 postman il est facteur = he is a postman factricefB1 postman elle est factrice = she is a postman footballeurmB1 footballer il est footballeur = he is a footballer footballeusefB1 footballer elle est footballeuse = she is a footballer gardienmB1 goalkeeper il est gardien au PSG = he is a goalkeeper gardien de butmB1 goalkeeper il est gardien de but = he is a goalkeeper gardiennefB1 goalkeeper elle est gardienne = she is a goalkeeper gardienne de butfB1 goalkeeper elle est gardienne de but = she is a goalkeeper généralisteB1 general practitioner elle est généraliste = she is a GP gestionnaireB1 manager il est gestionnaire de patrimoine = he is a manager inspecteurmB1 detective il est inspecteur de police = he is a detective inspectricefB1 detective elle est inspectrice = she is a detective joueur de footballmB1 footballer il est joueur de football = he is a footballer joueuse de footballfB1 footballer elle est joueuse de football = she is a footballer libraireB1 bookseller elle est libraire = she is a bookseller (not a librarian!) managerB1 manager elle est manager dans une banque = she is a manager marchandmB1 merchant il est marchand de vin = he is a merchant marinmB1 sailor il est marin = he is a sailor masseurmB1 massage therapist il est masseur = he is a massage therapist masseusefB1 massage therapist elle est masseuse = she is a massage therapist massothérapeuteB1 massage therapist elle est massothérapeute = she is a massage therapist (Quebec) mécanicienmB1 mechanic il est mécanicien = he is a mechanic mécaniciennefB1 mechanic elle est mécanicienne = she is a mechanic médecin de famillemB1 general practitioner elle est médecin de famille = she is a family doctor (common in Quebec) médecin généralisteB1 general practitioner il est médecin généraliste = he is a GP menuisiermB1 carpenter il est menuisier = he is a carpenter metteur en scènemB1 director il est metteur en scène = he is a director ouvriermB1 worker il est ouvrier = he is a worker ouvrièrefB1 worker elle est ouvrière = she is a factory worker pharmacienmB1 pharmacist il est pharmacien = he is a pharmacist pharmaciennefB1 pharmacist elle est pharmacienne = she is a pharmacist physicienmB1 physicist il est physicien = he is a physicist physiciennefB1 physicist elle est physicienne = she is a physicist pianisteB1 pianist elle est pianiste = she is a pianist plombiermB1 plumber il est plombier = he is a plumber premier ministremB1 prime minister il est Premier ministre = he is the prime minister présentateurmB1 presenter il est présentateur télé = he is a presenter présentatricefB1 presenter elle est présentatrice = she is a presenter prêtremB1 priest il est prêtre = he is a priest réceptionnisteB1 receptionist elle est réceptionniste = she is a receptionist reporterB1 reporter il est reporter = he is a reporter responsableB1 manager elle est responsable des ventes = she is a manager (responsable = responsible) routiermB1 truck driver il est routier = he is a truck driver routièrefB1 truck driver elle est routière = she is a truck driver spationauteB1 astronaut il est spationaute = he is an astronaut vendeurmB1 seller il est vendeur = he is a seller vendeusefB1 seller elle est vendeuse = she is a seller vétérinaireB1 vet elle est vétérinaire = she is a vet acrobateB2 acrobat elle est acrobate = she is an acrobat adjointmB2 assistant il est adjoint au maire = he is a deputy mayor adjointefB2 assistant elle est adjointe au directeur = she is an assistant agent de bordmB2 flight attendant il est agent de bord = he is a flight attendant agent de sécuritémB2 security guard il est agent de sécurité = he is a security guard ambassadeurmB2 ambassador il est ambassadeur = he is an ambassador ambassadricefB2 ambassador elle est ambassadrice = she is an ambassador analysteB2 analyst il est analyste = he is an analyst arbitreB2 referee il est arbitre = he is a referee archéologueB2 archaeologist elle est archéologue = she is an archaeologist astronomeB2 astronomer elle est astronome = she is an astronomer ballerinefB2 ballerina elle est ballerine = she is a ballerina banquiermB2 banker il est banquier = he is a banker banquièrefB2 banker elle est banquière = she is a banker barmaidfB2 bartender elle est barmaid = she is a bartender bibliothécaireB2 librarian elle est bibliothécaire = she is a librarian biologisteB2 biologist il est biologiste = he is a biologist bourgmestreB2 mayor il est bourgmestre = he is a mayor (Belgium) bûcheronmB2 lumberjack il est bûcheron = he is a lumberjack chirurgienmB2 surgeon il est chirurgien = he is a surgeon compositeurmB2 composer il est compositeur = he is a composer conseillermB2 advisor il est conseiller financier = he is an advisor conseillèrefB2 advisor elle est conseillère municipale = she is an advisor cordonniermB2 shoemaker il est cordonnier = he is a shoemaker cordonnièrefB2 shoemaker elle est cordonnière = she is a shoemaker cosmonauteB2 astronaut il est cosmonaute = he is an astronaut courtiermB2 broker il est courtier = he is a broker courtier en boursemB2 broker il est courtier en bourse = he is a stockbroker courtièrefB2 broker elle est courtière = she is a broker courtière en boursefB2 broker elle est courtière en bourse = she is a stockbroker couturiermB2 fashion designer il est couturier = he is a fashion designer couturièrefB2 fashion designer elle est couturière = she is a dressmaker couturièrefB2 seamstress elle est couturière = she is a seamstress créateur de modemB2 fashion designer il est créateur de mode = he is a fashion designer créatrice de modefB2 fashion designer elle est créatrice de mode = she is a fashion designer critiqueB2 critic il est critique de cinéma = he is a critic danseuse de balletfB2 ballerina elle est danseuse de ballet = she is a ballerina détective privémB2 private investigator il est détective privé = he is a private investigator détective privéefB2 private investigator elle est détective privée = she is a private investigator diplomateB2 diplomat il est diplomate = he is a diplomat éditeurmB2 publisher il est éditeur = he is a publisher éditricefB2 publisher elle est éditrice = she is a publisher électricienmB2 electrician il est électricien = he is an electrician électriciennefB2 electrician elle est électricienne = she is an electrician enquêteurmB2 detective il est enquêteur = he is a detective enquêteur privémB2 private investigator il est enquêteur privé = he is a private investigator enquêtricefB2 detective elle est enquêtrice = she is a detective enquêtrice privéefB2 private investigator elle est enquêtrice privée = she is a private investigator entrepreneurmB2 entrepreneur il est entrepreneur = he is an entrepreneur entrepreneusefB2 entrepreneur elle est entrepreneuse = she is an entrepreneur évêqueB2 bishop il est évêque = he is a bishop femme au foyerfB2 housewife elle est femme au foyer = she is a housewife fleuristeB2 florist elle est fleuriste = she is a florist gérantmB2 manager il est gérant d'un restaurant = he is a manager gérantefB2 manager elle est gérante d'une boutique = she is a manager guitaristeB2 guitarist il est guitariste = he is a guitarist hôtesse de l'airfB2 flight attendant elle est hôtesse de l'air = she is a flight attendant humoristeB2 comedian il est humoriste = he is a comedian interprèteB2 interpreter elle est interprète = she is an interpreter inventeurmB2 inventor il est inventeur = he is an inventor inventricefB2 inventor elle est inventrice = she is an inventor jardiniermB2 gardener il est jardinier = he is a gardener jardinièrefB2 gardener elle est jardinière = she is a gardener jongleurmB2 juggler il est jongleur = he is a juggler jongleusefB2 juggler elle est jongleuse = she is a juggler linguisteB2 linguist il est linguiste = he is a linguist maçonmB2 bricklayer il est maçon = he is a bricklayer mairemB2 mayor elle est maire de Lyon = she is a mayor maître-nageurmB2 lifeguard il est maître-nageur = he is a lifeguard maître-nageusefB2 lifeguard elle est maître-nageuse = she is a lifeguard maquilleurmB2 makeup artist il est maquilleur = he is a makeup artist maquilleusefB2 makeup artist elle est maquilleuse = she is a makeup artist matelotmB2 sailor il est matelot = he is a sailor mathématicienmB2 mathematician il est mathématicien = he is a mathematician mathématiciennefB2 mathematician elle est mathématicienne = she is a mathematician ménagèrefB2 housewife elle est ménagère = she is a housewife (dated) mère au foyerfB2 housewife elle est mère au foyer = she is a housewife mineurmB2 miner il est mineur de fond = he is a coal miner mineusefB2 miner elle est mineuse = she is a miner ministreB2 minister elle est ministre = she is a minister pasteurmB2 pastor il est pasteur = he is a pastor philosopheB2 philosopher il est philosophe = he is a philosopher prédicateurmB2 preacher il est prédicateur = he is a preacher principalmB2 principal il est principal du collège = he is a principal producteurmB2 producer il est producteur = he is a producer productricefB2 producer elle est productrice = she is a producer proviseurmB2 principal il est proviseur du lycée = he is a principal psychologueB2 psychologist elle est psychologue = she is a psychologist sauveteurmB2 lifeguard il est sauveteur = he is a lifeguard sculpteurmB2 sculptor il est sculpteur = he is a sculptor sculptricefB2 sculptor elle est sculptrice = she is a sculptor serruriermB2 locksmith il est serrurier = he is a locksmith serrurièrefB2 locksmith elle est serrurière = she is a locksmith stewardmB2 flight attendant il est steward = he is a flight attendant stylisteB2 fashion designer elle est styliste = she is a fashion designer tailleurmB2 tailor il est tailleur = he is a tailor toubibmB2 doctor il est toubib = he is a doctor (slang) traducteurmB2 translator il est traducteur = he is a translator traductricefB2 translator elle est traductrice = she is a translator vétoB2 vet il est véto = he is a vet (informal) vigileB2 security guard il est vigile = he is a security guard violonisteB2 violinist elle est violoniste = she is a violinist abbémC1 abbot il est abbé = he is an abbot agent de changeC1 broker il est agent de change = he is a broker agent immobiliermC1 realtor il est agent immobilier = he is a real estate agent apprentimC1 intern il est apprenti = he is an intern archevêquemC1 archbishop il est archevêque = he is an archbishop auteur dramatiqueC1 playwright il est auteur dramatique = he is a playwright auteur-compositeurmC1 singer-songwriter il est auteur-compositeur = he is a singer-songwriter batteurmC1 drummer il est batteur dans un groupe = he is a drummer bijoutiermC1 jeweler il est bijoutier = he is a jeweler bijoutièrefC1 jeweler elle est bijoutière = she is a jeweler chef d'équipemC1 foreman il est chef d'équipe = he is a foreman chef opérateurmC1 cinematographer il est chef opérateur = he is a cinematographer cheffe opératricefC1 cinematographer elle est cheffe opératrice = she is a cinematographer chorégrapheC1 choreographer elle est chorégraphe = she is a choreographer conservateurmC1 curator il est conservateur de musée = he is a museum curator conservatricefC1 curator elle est conservatrice de musée = she is a museum curator contremaîtremC1 foreman il est contremaître = he is a foreman coureur de fondmC1 long-distance runner il est coureur de fond = he is a long-distance runner coureuse de fondfC1 long-distance runner elle est coureuse de fond = she is a long-distance runner critique cinématographiqueC1 film critic elle est critique cinématographique = she is a film critic critique de cinémaC1 film critic elle est critique de cinéma = she is a film critic critique de filmsC1 film critic il est critique de films = he is a film critic danseur folkloriquemC1 folk dancer il est danseur folklorique = he is a folk dancer danseuse folkloriquefC1 folk dancer elle est danseuse folklorique = she is a folk dancer détaillantmC1 retailer il est détaillant en vins = he is a retailer détaillantefC1 retailer elle est détaillante en vins = she is a retailer développeurmC1 programmer il est développeur = he is a programmer développeusefC1 programmer elle est développeuse = she is a programmer directeur de la photographiemC1 cinematographer il est directeur de la photographie = he is a cinematographer directeur photomC1 cinematographer il est directeur photo = he is a cinematographer directrice de la photographiefC1 cinematographer elle est directrice de la photographie = she is a cinematographer directrice photofC1 cinematographer elle est directrice photo = she is a cinematographer dramaturgeC1 playwright il est dramaturge = he is a playwright gardien de prisonmC1 prison guard il est gardien de prison = he is a prison guard joailliermC1 jeweler il est joaillier = he is a jeweler joaillièrefC1 jeweler elle est joaillière = she is a jeweler négociantmC1 merchant il est négociant en vins = he is a merchant porte-paroleC1 spokesperson il est porte-parole du gouvernement = he is a spokesperson programmeurmC1 programmer il est programmeur = he is a programmer programmeusefC1 programmer elle est programmeuse = she is a programmer psychiatreC1 psychiatrist il est psychiatre = he is a psychiatrist scénaristeC1 screenwriter il est scénariste = he is a screenwriter stagiaireC1 intern elle est stagiaire = she is an intern attaquantmC2 forward il est attaquant au PSG = he is a forward équilibristeC2 tightrope walker elle est équilibriste = she is a tightrope walker fossoyeurmC2 gravedigger il est fossoyeur = he is a gravedigger funambuleC2 tightrope walker il est funambule = he is a tightrope walker marionnettisteC2 puppeteer elle est marionnettiste = she is a puppeteer PNCC2 flight attendant elle est PNC chez Air France = she is a flight attendant ramoneurmC2 chimney sweep il est ramoneur = he is a chimney sweep sage-femmefC2 midwife elle est sage-femme = she is a midwife sénateurmC2 senator il est sénateur = he is a senator sénatricefC2 senator elle est sénatrice = she is a senator tatoueurmC2 tattoo artist il est tatoueur = he is a tattoo artist
How it works

This construction can feel very strange to beginners. In French, when you use the verbs être (to be) or devenir (to become) followed by a profession, the profession functions almost like an adjective. It describes the subject's state or status rather than pointing out a specific, countable noun.

Because of this grammatical difference, you do not use un or une. You simply link the subject directly to the job title. Keep this in mind when you are forming basic sentences.

Je suis dentiste.
(I am a dentist.)
Elle est devenue avocate.
(She became a lawyer.)
A rule for all occupations

The best part about this rule is how reliable it is. It applies to essentially all occupations across the board. Whether you are talking about creative roles like an artiste or a photographe, complex medical roles like a chirurgien or a pharmacien, or the everyday services provided by a boulanger or a coiffeur, the grammar stays exactly the same.

You just state the subject, the verb, and the job. Let us look at a few more examples in action to help you get used to the rhythm of the phrasing.

Mon frère est acteur.
(My brother is an actor.)
Elle travaille à l'hôpital, elle est infirmière.
(She works at the hospital, she is a nurse.)
Il est plombier depuis dix ans.
(He has been a plumber for ten years.)
Watch out: When to add the article back

While the basic rule is very consistent, there is an important exception that has to do with how you describe the person. If you change the profession from a simple factual label into an individuated description by adding an adjective, the article comes back.

For example, if you want to say someone is an excellent doctor or a famous actress, you need the article. In these descriptive cases, French speakers will typically switch the subject from il est or elle est to c'est.

C'est un excellent médecin.
(He is an excellent doctor.)
C'est une actrice célèbre.
(She is a famous actress.)

However, note that if the adjective simply specifies a professional sub-category, such as a general practitioner or a specialized engineer, the phrase remains a pure job label and the article stays away.

Il est médecin généraliste.
(He is a general practitioner.)
Summary

As a general rule of thumb, if you are simply stating your own or someone else's job title after être or devenir, leave out the article entirely. Treat the profession like an adjective describing the person's status. Only bring the article back if you are adding subjective, descriptive words to the job title.