assistante

Assistante is a French noun meaning a female assistant. It designates a person who assists a supervisor, manager, or team in performing tasks, organizing work, and supporting operations. In French-speaking workplaces, assistantes may perform administrative, clerical, technical, or professional support roles across sectors such as business, education, healthcare, public administration, and industry.

The word derives from the verb assister and the noun assistant, formed by adding the feminine -e. It contrasts with "assistant" (masculine) and is often paired with an occupational noun: "assistante administrative," "assistante sociale," "assistante de direction."

Typical duties include calendar management, correspondence, data entry, file management, customer service, meeting coordination, travel arrangements, and preparing reports; advanced roles may involve project assistance, budgeting, or liaison work.

Variants and related terms: "assistante médicale" (medical assistant), "assistante pédagogique" (teaching/education assistant), "assistante de direction" (executive assistant). In English-language texts, "assistante" is usually translated as "assistant" or "secretary" depending on context; the feminine form is generally not used in English, but may appear in bilingual contexts.

In modern usage, assistantes may work in offices, clinics, schools, or remote roles; the title reflects both function and gender in French, while hiring practices increasingly emphasize role-based titles irrespective of gender.