• an accountant : un comptable

• an auditor : un commissaire aux comptes

• a book-keeper : un comptable
• a consultant : un conseiller
• a consumer : un consommateur
• a creditor : un créancier
• a customer : un client
• an employee : un(e) employé(e)
• a commercial traveller : un représentant
• a chartered accountant (CA) : un expert-comptable
• a salesperson : un commercial

• the after-sales service : le service après-vente

• to afford : avoir les moyens d'acheter

• to sell : vendre
• a seller : un vendeur
• solvent : solvable
• insolvent : insolvable
• value for money : rapport qualité prix
• the sales : les ventes
• the selling : la vente dans sa globalité
• a sale : un contrat d’achat

• to audit the accounts : vérifier les comptes, auditer les comptes

• to be in the red (accounting) : être déficitaire

• to be in the black (accounting): être positif
• to borrow : emprunter
• to break a contract : violer un contrat, rompre un contrat
• to buy : acheter
• to buy in bulk : acheter en gros
• to cancel an order : annuler une commande
• to compete with : concourir, être en concurrence avec
• to complain : se plaindre
• to confirm : confirmer, corroborer
• to consider : considérer, examiner, songer
• to consign : expédier, envoyer
• to stock up : renouveler le stock
• to subsidize : subventionner
• to succeed : réussir
• to establish : fonder, créer, établir
• to establish a business : créer une entreprise
• to estimate : estimer
 • to exchange : échanger

• Hello / Hi : bonjour / salut

• Good morning : bonjour (matin)
• Good afternoon : bon après midi
• Good evening : bonne soirée
• Nice to meet you : ravi de vous rencontrer
• Nice to meet you too : ravi de vous rencontrer également
• Pleased to meet you : ravi de vous rencontrer
• How do you do : enchanté
• How are you : comment allez vous ?
• Good bye : au revoir
• See you later : à plus tard
• See you soon : à très vite
• See you : à bientôt
• Thank you : merci
• You’re welcome : de rien

• Negotiate (to)

Definition : to hold talks for the purpose of reaching a commercial agreement.

Translation : Négocier
• Back down (to)

Definition : to withdraw from a position, to not follow up on a threat.

Translation : Reculer, se rétracter
• Go back to the drawing board (to)

Definition : to go back and start something from the beginning.

Translation : Repartir de zéro
• Close a deal (to)

Definition : to successfully end a negotiation.

Translation : Conclure un accord
• Drive a hard bargain (to)

Definition : to negotiate to one’s advantage.

Translation : Etre dur en affaires
• Iron something out (to)

Definition : to solve a problem, to resolve an issue.

Translation : Résoudre un problème
• Beat around the bush (to)
Definition : to talk about things without giving a direct answer.
Translation : Tourner autour du pot
• Bring up (to)

Definition : to begin a discussion about something.

Translation : Lancer une discussion, un sujet
• Drag on (to)

Definition : to prolonge, to make longer.

Translation : Faire durer, faire traîner
• At stake

Definition : something that can be lost or gained.

Translation : Enjeu
• Cut to the chase (to)

Definition : to get straight to the point, to go directly to the important points.

Translation : Aller droit au but
• Compromise (to)

Definition : to resolve by making concessions.

Translation : Transiger
• Grant a special discount (to)

Definition : to make a better offer, to give an additional discount.

Translation : Faire un geste commercial
• It’s a bargain

Definition : it is financially advantageous.

Translation : C’est une bonne affaire
• It’s a steal

Definition : the price is much lower than market value.

Translation : C’est bradé
• Haggle (to)

Definition : to argue in order to reach a better arrangement or deal (negative connotation).

Translation : Marchander
• Final offer

Definition : the last proposal that will be put forward.

Translation : Dernière proposition
• Take it or leave it

Definition : to either accept the proposition or to refuse it ; no further discussion is possible.

Translation : A prendre ou à laisser
 • Wrap up (to)

Definition : to finish, to end.

Translation : Terminer, conclure
• Make a deal (to)

Definition : to make a business arrangement.

Translation : Conclure une affaire
• Estimate

Definition : a statement giving the likely cost of something, document appraising the value of
something.
Translation : Devis
• A bid

Definition : the amount offered or proposed, a statement of what one will give for something, an
offer of a price.
Translation : Une offre
• Follow up (to)

Definition : to pursue or maintain contact so as to monitor or take further action.

Translation : Garder le contact (avec quelqu’un), suivre une affaire
• Read the fine print (to)

Definition : to read the details of a contract (often the text in small font gives important details,
disclaimers and legal terms).
Translation : Regarder de près, dans le détail
• Lay the cards on the table (to)

Definition : to tell each other exactly what is going on, to show your hand, to be frank.
Translation : Jouer cartes sur table
• Work out a deal (to)

Definition : to reach an agreement.

Translation : Négocier un arrangement
• Sales pitch

Definition : a speech in which a salesperson promotes his product.

Translation : Discours commercial
• Selling point

Definition : a particular aspect that is emphasized in order to sell something.

Translation : Argument de vente
• Stalemate
Definition : when two or more parties cannot agree and the negotiation is stopped, impasse,
deadlock.
Translation : Blocage
• Give and take

Definition : a situation where both sides must compromise, but are equally satisfied with the result.
Translation : Donnant-donnant
• Chase a customer (to)

Definition : to contact a future customer again.

Translation : Relancer
• Market price

Definition : the price that a product brings when sold on the market, prevailing price.
Translation : Prix de marché
• Terms of payment

Definition : conditions as to when and how goods or services supplied will be paid.
Translation : Conditions de paiement

A job interview = entretien d’embauche

To apply for a job = postuler pour un job
An applicant = un postulant
To eavesdrop = écouter discrètement
Human Ressources Manager = Directeur des ressources humaines.
A Park = un avantage