Why do I need to know boulot?

'Métro, boulot, dodo' is a phrase that's hard to escape in France – especially with the current trend for putting twists of the original onto bags, T-shirts and other knickknacks.

It's a great expression for describing the Parisian rat race but 'boulot' is an extremely useful word in its own right. 

Here's a look at where it comes from and how to use it, as well as some tips on other French words you can use to describe the daily grind so that you can fit in with your French colleagues. 

So, what exactly does it mean?

Boulot is slang for 'work', 'job' and 'hard work' so 'Métro, boulot, dodo' translates as 'Metro, work, sleep'. 

If you were using it in conversation in France, you might say: Je change de boulot à la fin du mois. – 'I'm changing jobs at the end of the month' or J'ai trop de boulot. – 'I've got too much work on'. 

And if you were feeling particularly enthusiastic, you might say: Au boulot! – 'Let's get to work!'