Can I say "un sur un" in French for one-on-one?
No. "Un sur un" is a literal anglicism and is incorrect in French. Use "cours particulier" for lessons, "en tête-à-tête" for meetings, or "en un contre un" for sports.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
How to Say "One on One" in French? (Tête-à-tête, Cours Particulier & Meaning)
An authoritative linguistic guide to translating "one on one" into French across educational, professional, and personal registers.
Learn how to say "one on one" in French across education, business, sports, and casual conversations: cours particulier, tête-à-tête, en tête-à-tête, and nuances.
The Literal vs Idiomatic Meanings of "One on One" in French
English speakers frequently use the expression "one-on-one" in diverse contexts: a private lesson, a confidential conversation, a business meeting with a manager, or a basketball duel.
In French, there is no single universal translation for "one-on-one". Instead, French uses distinct idiomatic phrases depending on whether the register is educational, confidential, professional, or competitive.
Understanding these nuances is essential for intermediate learners striving for natural, idiomatic fluency in CEFR B2 and C1 immigration examinations. You can calculate your target benchmark using our [interactive TEF Canada CRS score calculator](/tef-canada-crs-calculator).
Cours Particulier vs Cours Individuel: Educational Contexts
When referring to private tutoring or academic lessons, the standard French expression is **cours particulier** (private lesson) or **cours individuel** (one-on-one instruction).
**Cours particulier** is the most common term used across France and Canada to describe personalized tutoring outside a school classroom. For instance, saying *je prends des cours particuliers de français* means "I take one-on-one French lessons."
For example, in school or university settings, *un cours particulier* ensures focused exam coaching. Review the complete usage breakdown across all registers below:
| English Context | French Translation | Register / Tone | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Language Tutoring | Un cours particulier / individuel | Standard / Educational | Je prends des cours particuliers de français. |
| Confidential Discussion | Un tête-à-tête (Noun) | Intimate / Professional | Nous avons eu un tête-à-tête constructif. |
| Meeting Face to Face | En tête-à-tête (Adverbial) | Polite / Direct | J’aimerais en discuter en tête-à-tête. |
| Bilateral Business Meeting | Une réunion bilatérale / en face-à-face | Formal / Corporate | Une entrevue en face-à-face avec la direction. |
| Sports / Competitive Duel | Un duel / En un contre un | Athletic / Competitive | Un duel en un contre un sur le terrain. |
- Cours particulier: Individual private instruction with a dedicated tutor.
- Cours individuel: Formal pedagogical term for single-student lessons vs group classes.
- Formation sur mesure: Tailored one-on-one corporate language training.
Tête-à-tête and En tête-à-tête: Conversational and Intimate Contexts
**Tête-à-tête** is one of the most famous French loanwords in the English language. In French, it literally means "head to head" and signifies an intimate, confidential conversation between two people.
For example, *un dîner en tête-à-tête* denotes a romantic dinner for two, while in professional contexts, *un tête-à-tête avec mon directeur* denotes a private performance review.
Explore professional terminology in our [Business French buzzwords guide](/vocab-vault/business-french-buzzwords). Learn how private instruction accelerates fluency in our analysis of [Alliance Française vs private French classes](/blog/alliance-francaise-vs-private-french-classes).
Face-à-face and En face-à-face: Business and Sports Terminology
In corporate negotiations and competitive settings, **face-à-face** conveys direct interaction or bilateral meetings.
In sports such as football or basketball, "one on one" translates as *un contre un* (one against one) or *un duel*.
Explore oral exam frameworks in our [TEF Canada speaking sample answers guide](/blog/tef-canada-speaking-topics-sample-answers) and review preparation timelines in [how long it takes to reach NCLC 7 in French](/blog/how-long-nclc-7-french).
Why 1-on-1 French Instruction Outperforms Group Learning
Just as the term *cours particulier* implies individual attention, private instruction provides 10 times more active speaking time per hour than traditional group classes.
At One-on-One French, every lesson is an individualized coaching experience designed to eliminate phonetics errors and build natural spoken confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does "tête-à-tête" always have a romantic meaning in French?
Not always. While it often implies intimacy in social contexts (un dîner en tête-à-tête), in professional contexts it simply denotes a private, confidential one-on-one conversation.
What is the most formal term for a one-on-one business meeting in French?
In formal corporate contexts, use "un entretien en face-à-face", "un point bilatéral", or "une entrevue individuelle".