Coffee Machine Chat in a French Office
Chat with colleagues over coffee and lunch using the everyday expressions of French office life.
In many French offices colleagues of a similar level use tu quickly, but let them make the first move, and keep vous with senior managers until invited otherwise. The coffee break at the machine and a proper lunch at the company canteen are key social moments, and people talk a lot about holidays: French employees get five weeks of paid leave, 'les congés', and love 'faire le pont', taking the day between a public holiday and the weekend. Talking about salary is still a bit taboo.
- 1
On se fait un café ?
Shall we grab a coffee?
- 2
T'as passé un bon week-end ?
Did you have a good weekend? (to a colleague)
- 3
Vivement le week-end !
Roll on the weekend!
- 4
Je suis débordé.
I'm swamped.
- 5
J'ai du pain sur la planche.
I've got a lot on my plate.
- 6
Ça roule.
It's all going fine.
- 7
Tu pars où en vacances ?
Where are you going on holiday?
- 8
Je fais le pont.
I'm taking the long weekend.
Tip: Taking the working day between a public holiday and the weekend.
- 9
T'as posé tes congés pour cet été ?
Have you booked your leave for this summer?
- 10
On a eu une réunion à rallonge.
We had a never-ending meeting.
- 11
On parle pas boulot !
Let's not talk shop!
- 12
C'est pas mon truc.
It's not my thing.
- 13
C'est blindé à la cantine.
The canteen is packed.
- 14
J'ai une faim de loup.
I could eat a horse.
- 15
Ça fait un bail !
Long time no see!
- 16
Il paraît que le chef s'en va.
Word is the boss is leaving.
- 17
Ça reste entre nous.
This stays between us.
- 18
Il est en télétravail aujourd'hui.
He's working from home today.
- 19
Il fait un temps de chien.
The weather's awful.
- 20
Allez, je file, à lundi !
Right, I'm off, see you Monday!