Understand the job before learning the words
Use this page in order: discover the main missions, remember the professional qualities, practise the useful sentences, then open the tools and materials.
Building trades
Carpenter
Charpentier
Builds, assembles, and fits timber structures, frames, floors, roofs, and wood parts with accuracy and strong measuring skills.
01
MAIN MISSIONS
What does this professional do?
- Prepare the work area
- Check measurements and plans
- Carry out the main operation
- Control quality
- Clean and report
02
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
What qualities are important?
03
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Where can this job be done?
⌖ Workshop⌖ Construction site⌖ Customer premises
SPEAK ON SITE
Useful sentences for this job
Read the English sentence aloud, then check the French meaning.
Vérifiez les mesures avant de commencer.
La zone de travail est maintenant sécurisée.
Advantages 5 points
- The trade creates strong structural parts that are easy to understand visually.
- Carpenters work with precise measurements and practical problem-solving.
- Projects can be very varied from roof frames to wooden floors and stairs.
- The job develops strong manual skill and good spatial understanding.
- Timber construction is useful in new buildings, renovation, and eco-building.
Disadvantages 5 points
- Large timber sections can be heavy and difficult to move.
- A small measuring mistake can affect the whole structure.
- Some work is done outside and depends on weather conditions.
- Cutting and assembly require constant concentration and safe tool use.
- Some structural jobs involve working at height or in awkward positions.
Tools Main tools used in this job 8 items
Each card shows the English term, the French term, and one visual reference to help students recognize the item more easily.
Saw
Circular saw
Scie circulaire
Cuts timber sections and boards quickly before assembly.
Hammer
Framing hammer
Marteau de charpentier
Drives nails and helps position structural timber during assembly.
Square
Carpenter square
Equerre de charpentier
Checks right angles and supports precise marking on timber.
Chisel
Wood chisel
Ciseau a bois
Cuts joints, housings, and timber details by hand.
Photo: Fishdecoy / Randy C. Bunney · Public domain
Drill
Drill driver
Perceuse-visseuse
Drills pilot holes and fixes screws into wood members.
Tape measure
Tape measure
Metre ruban
Measures lengths, spans, and positions before cutting and lifting.
Level
Spirit level
Niveau a bulle
Checks level, plumb, and alignment during fitting.
Chain saw
Chain saw
Tronconneuse
Cuts large timber sections on some structural and site tasks.
Materials Main materials used in this job 10 items
Materials are shown with the same bilingual format so the learner can connect the right object, name, and usage.
Timber
Structural timber
Bois de charpente
Main sawn timber used for frames, posts, beams, and roof structures.
Beam
Wood beam
Poutre en bois
Horizontal structural member used to carry floor or roof loads.
Rafter
Rafter
Chevron
Sloping timber member that supports battens and roof coverings.
Glulam
Laminated timber
Bois lamelle-colle
Engineered wood element used for some large or modern structures.
OSB
OSB board
Panneau OSB
Structural panel used for bracing, floors, and some wall assemblies.
Screws
Wood screws
Vis a bois
Fixes timber members or wood panels securely during assembly.
Nails
Nails
Clous
Used for temporary fixing and some structural assemblies.
Bracket
Metal bracket
Equerre metallique
Reinforces and fixes wood members together at junction points.
Connector plate
Connector plate
Connecteur de charpente
Metal connector used on some prefabricated timber assemblies.
Joist hanger
Joist hanger
Sabot de charpente
Supports joists and beams at secure fixing points.
Photo: ArmchairBuilder.com · CC BY 2.0