bosser
to work / to grind / to hustle
Intermediate Verb
🔊
Pronunciation
/bɔ.se/
💡
Cultural Note
The informal verb for 'travailler' (to work). While France is famous for its 35-hour work week and love of strikes, French people actually do work — they just complain about it using 'bosser.' It comes from 'bosse' (bump/hump), as in working yourself into a hump. 'Bosser comme un dingue' (to work like crazy) is what French people do while simultaneously insisting that work-life balance is sacred. The irony is not lost on anyone.
📝 Example Sentences
J'ai trop bossé cette semaine, je suis crevé.
I worked way too much this week, I'm exhausted.
Faut que je bosse mon français avant l'examen.
I need to study my French before the exam.