fonctionnaire
civil servant / government employee
Advanced Noun Masculine
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Pronunciation
/fɔ̃k.sjɔ.nɛʁ/
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Cultural Note
France has about 5.7 million fonctionnaires, representing roughly 20% of the workforce. They enjoy lifetime job security, defined-benefit pensions, and regular salary increases. Entry is through competitive exams (concours). The fonction publique has three branches: État, territoriale, and hospitalière.
📝 Example Sentences
Ma mère est fonctionnaire au ministère de l'Éducation.
My mother is a civil servant at the Ministry of Education.
Les fonctionnaires ont la sécurité de l'emploi.
Civil servants have job security.