French · People & Family
"Retired" in French: à la retraite / retraité(e)
à la retraite / retraité(e)
Retired in French is à la retraite or retraité / retraitée. Il est à la retraite and elle est retraitée both work. Either alternative counts.
Family update
Mon oncle est à la retraite depuis juin.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce à la retraite / retraité(e)
Say it
a lah ruh-TRET / ruh-treh-TAY
/a la ʁə.tʁɛt/ /ʁə.tʁɛ.te/
Retraite: ruh-TRET. Retraité: ruh-treh-TAY. Retraitée adds a soft e. À la retraite: a lah ruh-TRET.
"Retired" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| à la retraite | retired Very common status phrase. | Very common status phrase. |
| retraité | retired (m) Masculine adjective/noun. | Masculine adjective/noun. |
| retraitée | retired (f) Feminine form. | Feminine form. |
| prendre sa retraite | to retire The decision/action. | The decision/action. |
How to use à la retraite / retraité(e) in real life
- 1Family update
Mon oncle est à la retraite depuis juin.
My uncle has been retired since June.
À la retraite.
- 2Neighbor intro
Elle est retraitée, elle jardine tous les matins.
She's retired—she gardens every morning.
Retraitée.
- 3Form checkbox
Coche « retraité » si c'est ton statut.
Tick “retired” if that's your status.
Masculine form on forms.
Mistakes English speakers make with à la retraite / retraité(e)
Incorrect: Il est retired.
Correct: Il est à la retraite.
Use à la retraite or retraité.
Incorrect: Elle est retraité.
Correct: Elle est retraitée.
Feminine needs retraitée.
Good to know
Retirement age and pensions (la retraite) are frequent news topics. Socially, à la retraite sounds natural in chat; retraité(e) appears on forms. People may joke about being en retraite anticipée after a long week—not literal.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Catching up at a reunion
ChatPal
Ton père est déjà à la retraite ?
Is your dad already retired?
You
Oui, il est retraité depuis deux ans.
Yes—he's been retired for two years.
ChatPal
Et ta mère, elle est à la retraite aussi ?
And your mom—is she retired too?
You
Pas encore, l'année prochaine.
Not yet—next year.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Retired" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Retired" in French
How do you say retired in French?
À la retraite, or retraité / retraitée.
Which form is more common in speech?
Être à la retraite is very common.
How do you say she is retired?
Elle est à la retraite / elle est retraitée.
How do you pronounce retraité?
ruh-treh-TAY.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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