Course vs. commission
The French words 'course' and 'commission' both refer to tasks or small jobs someone might undertake, often outside the home. Understanding the nuances between these two can be helpful in daily French communication.
Course
'Course' in French is a general term that relates to any kind of short trip or outing that is usually related to shopping, picking up items, or completing tasks.
Je dois faire quelques courses cet après-midi.
(I need to run some errands this afternoon.)
Il est sorti pour une course à la pharmacie.
(He went out for an errand to the pharmacy.)
Pouvez-vous ajouter du pain à la liste des courses ?
(Can you add bread to the shopping list?)
Commission
'Commission' in French typically refers to a specific task or errand that is performed on behalf of someone else. This can involve purchasing items or delivering messages.
Ma mère m'a demandé de faire une commission pour elle.
(My mother asked me to run an errand for her.)
Il m'a confié une commission importante, je dois retrouver son colis perdu.
(He entrusted me with an important task; I must find his lost package.)
Pourrais-tu faire cette commission avant de rentrer à la maison ?
(Could you do this errand before coming back home?)
Summary
In summary, while both 'course' and 'commission' refer to errands, 'course' is a broader term that often refers to shopping and routine trips, while 'commission' usually refers to a specific task that is done on someone's behalf. Understanding these differences will improve your French when discussing everyday tasks.