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B1 noun 12 Min. Lesezeit

en sous-poids

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Erklärung en sous-poids in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn about the body and health. You might know the word 'poids' (weight) and the word 'sous' (under). When you put them together as 'en sous-poids', it means someone is too thin for their health. At this stage, you don't need to use this word often, but it is helpful to recognize it. You will mostly use 'petit' (small) or 'mince' (thin). Think of it as the opposite of 'gros' (big/fat). If you see 'en sous-poids' on a medical form or hear a doctor say it, just remember it means 'not enough weight.' It is a very formal way to say 'trop maigre' (too skinny). You should practice saying 'Je ne suis pas en sous-poids' to talk about your own health. Remember that 'en' is always there, and you don't change the word 'poids' even if you are talking about a girl or a group of people. It stays the same every time. This makes it a great 'easy' phrase to learn once you get the hang of it. Focus on the fact that it is a medical word, so it's very polite to use when talking about someone's body in a serious way.

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At the A2 level, you are beginning to describe people's appearance and health in more detail. You probably know the word 'maigre' (thin), but 'en sous-poids' is a much better word to use if you want to sound polite and educated. It is often used with the verb 'être' (to be). For example: 'Le bébé est en sous-poids.' You might encounter this word when reading about nutrition or visiting a pharmacy. It is important to notice the hyphen (-) between 'sous' and 'poids'. This hyphen is necessary because 'sous-poids' is one single idea. At this level, you should also learn the opposite: 'en surpoids' (overweight). Both phrases use the same structure: 'en' + [prefix] + 'poids'. This pattern makes it easier to remember. You can also start using simple adverbs like 'un peu' (a little) to say 'Il est un peu en sous-poids.' This adds nuance to your speaking. When you are doing listening exercises about health or doctors, listen for the 'p' sound in 'poids'—remember the 'd' and 's' at the end are silent! You only pronounce it like 'pwa'. Mastering this term shows you are moving beyond basic descriptions and into more 'real-world' French.

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As a B1 learner, you should be able to use 'en sous-poids' comfortably in discussions about health, lifestyle, and social issues. This is the level where you move from simple descriptions to more precise, professional language. You should understand that 'en sous-poids' is a clinical term, often defined by the BMI (IMC in French). You can use it to talk about medical concerns, such as: 'Le médecin s'inquiète car je suis en sous-poids.' You should also be able to use it in the past tense ('Il était en sous-poids') and the future tense ('Il deviendra en sous-poids'). At this level, you can start adding more specific adverbs like 'légèrement' (slightly) or 'gravement' (severely) to your sentences. You should also be aware of the cultural context in France, where there are laws regarding the weight of fashion models. Being able to discuss these topics using 'en sous-poids' shows that you have a good grasp of formal register. You should also practice using it in 'si' clauses, like 'Si tu es en sous-poids, tu devrais manger plus.' This term is essential for anyone planning to work or study in a French-speaking environment where health or social policy is discussed. It is much more appropriate than 'maigre' in professional settings.

At the B2 level, you are expected to handle complex topics and use precise vocabulary. 'En sous-poids' is no longer just a new word; it's a tool for nuanced argumentation. You should be able to discuss the causes and consequences of being underweight, such as 'les carences alimentaires' (nutritional deficiencies) or 'les troubles du comportement alimentaire' (eating disorders). You should also understand the noun form 'l'insuffisance pondérale' and when to use it instead of the adjectival phrase 'en sous-poids'. For instance, in a formal report, you might write: 'L'insuffisance pondérale reste un problème majeur dans certaines régions.' You should be able to compare 'en sous-poids' with related terms like 'dénutri' (malnourished) or 'émacié' (emaciated) and explain the differences. Your ability to use this term in a variety of moods, such as the subjunctive ('Il est important qu'il ne soit plus en sous-poids'), is crucial. You should also be sensitive to the sociological implications of the term, such as body positivity movements in France and how the medicalization of weight is perceived. Using 'en sous-poids' correctly in a debate about beauty standards or public health shows a high level of linguistic and cultural competence.

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For C1 learners, 'en sous-poids' is a basic building block for much more sophisticated linguistic structures. You should be able to use it within complex, multi-clause sentences that explore the intersection of health, economics, and policy. At this level, you should be familiar with the legislative use of the term in French law, particularly the 'loi mannequin' which regulates the health of models. You can use the term to analyze medical data or journalistic reports with high precision. You should also be able to recognize and use literary alternatives or metaphors for thinness when appropriate, while maintaining 'en sous-poids' as your clinical anchor. For example, you might contrast the 'esthétique de la minceur' (aesthetic of thinness) with the 'réalité médicale du sous-poids' (medical reality of being underweight). Your mastery of the term should include a perfect understanding of its invariability and its placement in sentences with multiple modifiers. You should be able to discuss the term's etymology and its relationship to other 'sous-' and 'sur-' compounds in French. At C1, your use of 'en sous-poids' should be indistinguishable from that of a native speaker, showing perfect control over register and context.

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At the C2 level, you have a complete, instinctive command of 'en sous-poids' and all its nuances. You can use it in highly specialized contexts, such as medical research, philosophical inquiries into the body, or high-level political discourse. You understand the subtle shift in meaning when the term is used in different francophone cultures (e.g., Quebec vs. France vs. Senegal). You are capable of playing with the language, perhaps using the term ironically or in a very specific rhetorical way to make a point about societal expectations. You can effortlessly switch between 'en sous-poids,' 'insuffisance pondérale,' and more evocative, literary descriptions like 'une silhouette diaphane' depending on your audience. You can critique texts that use the term, identifying whether it is being used to stigmatize or to inform. Your understanding extends to the most obscure collocations and the historical evolution of the term within the French medical establishment. At this level, you don't just know what 'en sous-poids' means; you understand its weight (pun intended) in the broader landscape of the French language and society.

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en sous-poids in 30 Sekunden

Used to describe a medical state of being underweight, typically based on BMI calculations.
A neutral and professional alternative to more subjective words like 'maigre' or 'mince'.
Invariable in French, meaning it does not change for gender or plural subjects.
Commonly heard in medical, sports, and fashion industry contexts in French-speaking countries.

The French term en sous-poids is a prepositional phrase functioning as an adjective that literally translates to 'in under-weight.' In a linguistic sense, it is the direct counterpart to en surpoids (overweight). While the word maigre (thin/skinny) can often carry a subjective or even judgmental connotation, en sous-poids is viewed as more clinical, objective, and polite. It is the standard term used by health professionals, nutritionists, and in formal documentation to describe an individual whose Body Mass Index (BMI) or physical mass falls below the threshold considered healthy for their height and age. When you hear a doctor in France discussing a patient's health, they will almost certainly use this term rather than calling them 'skinny,' as it focuses on the medical state rather than the aesthetic appearance.

Medical Context: Used to describe patients with an IMC (Indice de Masse Corporelle) below 18.5.
Social Context: A polite way to discuss someone's health without using pejorative terms like 'maigrichon'.

Le médecin s'inquiète car le nouveau-né est légèrement en sous-poids par rapport à la moyenne.

Beyond human medicine, this term is frequently applied in veterinary science and animal welfare. If a dog is rescued from the street, a French veterinarian will record the animal as being en sous-poids. The phrase is essential for B1 learners because it allows for nuanced conversation about health, body image, and societal standards without falling into the trap of using potentially offensive adjectives. It reflects a modern shift in the French language toward more descriptive, scientific terminology in everyday life. Furthermore, understanding the structure of this phrase helps learners grasp how the preposition 'en' is used to describe a state or condition, similar to en colère (angry) or en forme (in shape).

De nombreux athlètes de haut niveau se retrouvent en sous-poids à cause d'un entraînement trop intensif.

In the fashion industry, the term has become a focal point of legal and ethical debates in France. Since 2017, French law requires models to provide a medical certificate proving they are not dangerously en sous-poids to work. This use of the term in legal texts highlights its status as the official designation for being underweight. When discussing these social issues, using en sous-poids demonstrates a higher level of linguistic sophistication and cultural awareness than using simpler words. It shows you understand the difference between a physical description and a medical condition.

La loi française interdit aux agences de mannequins d'employer des personnes gravement en sous-poids.

Synonym comparison: 'Maigre' is often a visual observation; 'en sous-poids' is a calculated measurement.

Après sa longue maladie, il était visiblement en sous-poids et manquait d'énergie.

Il est difficile de rester en bonne santé quand on est chroniquement en sous-poids.

Antonym: The opposite is 'en surpoids', which follows the exact same grammatical structure.

Using en sous-poids correctly requires understanding its role as an invariable adjectival phrase. Unlike standard adjectives like petit or grand, en sous-poids does not change based on the gender or number of the subject. Whether you are talking about a man, a woman, or a group of people, the phrase remains exactly the same. This makes it particularly easy for learners to use once they memorize the basic structure. The most common verb used with this phrase is être (to be), but it can also follow verbs like sembler (to seem), paraître (to appear), or devenir (to become).

Ces enfants sont en sous-poids à cause de la famine dans la région.

When you want to quantify the degree of being underweight, you can add adverbs before the phrase. Common modifiers include légèrement (slightly), gravement (severely), dangereusement (dangerously), or chroniquement (chronically). These adverbs provide necessary context in medical or journalistic writing. For example, a report might state that a population is 'légèrement en sous-poids' during a winter season, suggesting a minor concern rather than a crisis. Note that the adverb usually precedes the entire phrase 'en sous-poids'.

Subject-Verb Agreement: Elle est en sous-poids (singular feminine). Ils sont en sous-poids (plural masculine). No change to 'sous-poids'.

Le vétérinaire a remarqué que le chat était dangereusement en sous-poids.

Another important usage involves the comparison. You can use the standard comparative structures plus... que or moins... que. However, because 'en sous-poids' is already a specific state, it is more common to compare the weight itself or use 'plus' to indicate a more severe state. For instance, 'Il est plus en sous-poids que son frère' is grammatically possible but often replaced by 'Il pèse encore moins que son frère.' Still, in clinical settings, comparing the degree of underweight status is standard practice.

Si vous êtes en sous-poids, vous devriez consulter un nutritionniste.

Finally, consider the use of the term in hypothetical or conditional sentences. 'Si j'étais en sous-poids, je mangerais plus de féculents.' This shows the phrase fits naturally into complex grammatical structures. It is also worth noting that 'en sous-poids' is rarely used as an attributive adjective directly before a noun (e.g., you wouldn't say 'un en sous-poids homme'). Instead, you use a relative clause: 'un homme qui est en sous-poids.' This syntactic constraint is typical of French prepositional phrases used adjectivally.

Common Verbs: Être, rester, demeurer, se trouver, se sentir.

Elle a peur de devenir en sous-poids si elle continue ce régime strict.

Le rapport indique que 5% de la population étudiante est en sous-poids.

Negation: Je ne suis pas en sous-poids; mon poids est tout à fait normal.

In everyday French life, you are most likely to encounter en sous-poids in professional and health-related settings. If you visit a French 'médecin généraliste' for an annual check-up, they might use this term while reviewing your 'carnet de santé' (health record). It is a staple of the medical vocabulary used during consultations to discuss growth curves in children or health risks in adults. You will also see it on medical forms, BMI calculators on French health websites like Ameli.fr, and in brochures about balanced nutrition.

À la télévision, les experts discutent des risques pour les jeunes filles d'être en sous-poids.

The media is another major source for this term. News reports on global food security, documentaries about eating disorders (like l'anorexie), and articles about the fashion industry frequently use en sous-poids. For example, during a news segment about a drought in East Africa, the reporter might mention the percentage of the population that is 'gravement en sous-poids.' This usage underscores the term's role in conveying serious, factual information. It is also heard in sports commentary, particularly in sports with weight classes like boxing, judo, or horse racing (jockeys), where being underweight can be a strategic concern or a health risk.

Radio & Podcasts: Health segments on 'France Inter' or 'RTL' often feature experts using this term.

Le jockey a dû arrêter la compétition car il était devenu trop en sous-poids pour sa santé.

In educational settings, French students learn about biology and nutrition using this term. A school nurse (infirmière scolaire) might use it when talking to a student about their eating habits. Because it is a neutral, scientific term, it is preferred in schools to avoid bullying or body-shaming that might arise from using more colloquial words. If you are watching a French film or TV series set in a hospital (like Hippocrate), you will hear the doctors and nurses using it constantly during patient handovers.

L'article scientifique explore les causes génétiques qui font que certains individus restent en sous-poids.

Social Media: Fitness influencers use it when discussing 'bulking' or recovery from eating disorders.

Sur Instagram, elle a partagé son parcours pour ne plus être en sous-poids.

Mon chat est en sous-poids, je dois changer sa nourriture sur les conseils du véto.

Gym & Fitness: Personal trainers use it to set goals for clients who need to gain muscle mass.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using en sous-poids is omitting the preposition en. In English, we say 'He is underweight,' where 'underweight' acts as a direct adjective. However, in French, 'sous-poids' is a noun, and you must use the preposition 'en' to create the adjectival state. Saying 'Il est sous-poids' is a grammatical error that immediately marks the speaker as a non-native. It is essential to treat the whole phrase en sous-poids as a single unit that functions like an adjective.

Faux: Il est sous-poids. Correct: Il est en sous-poids.

Another common mistake is trying to make the phrase agree in gender or number. Because it is a prepositional phrase, it is invariable. Students often try to add an 'e' for feminine subjects (e.g., 'en sous-poids**e**') or an 's' for plural subjects (e.g., 'en sous-poids**s**'). These are incorrect. Whether you are referring to one woman or ten men, it remains 'en sous-poids.' This is a relief once you remember it, but it takes conscious effort to stop the habit of adjective agreement. Remember: prepositional phrases used as adjectives in French are almost always invariable.

Agreement Error: Incorrect: Elles sont en sous-poids**es**. Correct: Elles sont en sous-poids.

Même au pluriel, on écrit toujours en sous-poids sans ajouter de 's'.

Confusing en sous-poids with maigre or mince is a contextual mistake. While they all relate to being thin, their 'registers' are different. Mince is usually a compliment (slender/slim). Maigre can be neutral but often sounds harsh or unhealthy (skinny). En sous-poids is the clinical term. Using en sous-poids to compliment someone's figure at a party would be very strange and might even sound like you are diagnosing them with a medical problem. Use mince for compliments and en sous-poids for health discussions.

Il ne faut pas confondre être en sous-poids (médical) et être mince (esthétique).

A subtle mistake involves the hyphen. In French, compound nouns like sous-poids require a hyphen. Some learners write it as two separate words ('sous poids') or one word ('souspoids'). Neither is correct in standard French. The hyphen is crucial because it links the prefix 'sous' (under) to the noun 'poids' (weight) to form a new concept. Always double-check your spelling in written exams or formal emails. Finally, ensure you don't confuse poids (weight) with pois (pea) or poix (pitch/tar), as they are homophones but have very different meanings.

Spelling & Homophones: Poids (weight) ends in 'ds'. Peas are 'pois'. Don't mix them up!

L'orthographe correcte contient toujours un trait d'union : sous-poids.

On dit 'elle est en sous-poids' et non 'elle a un sous-poids'.

Verb choice: Use 'être' (to be), not 'avoir' (to have), when using this phrase.

While en sous-poids is the most accurate clinical term, French offers many synonyms and alternatives depending on the context and the level of formality. Understanding these nuances will help you choose the right word for the right situation. For example, maigre is the most common direct synonym, but it can be quite blunt. If you want to describe someone who is very thin in a way that suggests fragility or poor health, you might use chétif (puny/frail) or malingre (sickly). These words carry more emotional weight than the neutral en sous-poids.

Maigre vs. En sous-poids: 'Maigre' is a physical description; 'en sous-poids' is a medical status based on data.
Mince vs. Svelte: 'Mince' is slim; 'Svelte' is slender and elegant. Both are generally positive.

L'enfant paraissait chétif, ce qui a alerté les médecins sur son état de sous-poids.

In more formal or scientific writing, you might encounter l'insuffisance pondérale. This is the noun form of 'underweight' (literally 'weight insufficiency'). It is used in academic papers, government reports, and by the World Health Organization (OMS). If you are writing a formal essay for a French exam like the DELF or DALF, using l'insuffisance pondérale instead of just le sous-poids will significantly impress the examiners. Another technical term is dénutri (malnourished), which implies that the underweight status is caused by a lack of nutrients.

Le rapport de l'OMS traite de l'insuffisance pondérale infantile dans le monde.

On the more colloquial side, you might hear people say someone is maigre comme un clou (thin as a nail) or n'avoir que la peau sur les os (to be nothing but skin and bones). These are idiomatic expressions used to emphasize extreme thinness. While colorful, they should be avoided in professional contexts where en sous-poids is appropriate. Another useful word is fluet, which describes someone with a very thin, delicate build, often used for children or young adults. It is more poetic and less clinical than our target phrase.

Squelettique: Skeletal. Use only for extreme, tragic cases of starvation or illness.

Il est devenu maigre comme un clou après avoir couru son premier marathon.

Elle a une silhouette fluette mais elle n'est pas techniquement en sous-poids.

Élancé: Slender/tall and thin. A very positive, elegant way to describe someone's build.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The 'd' in 'poids' was added in the 16th century by scholars who mistakenly thought the word came from the Latin 'pondus'. In reality, it came from 'pensum'. The 'd' remains today even though it was a linguistic error!

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ɑ̃ su pwa/

US /ɑ̃ su pwa/

Stress falls slightly on the final syllable 'pwa'.

Reimt sich auf

joie loi roi soi toit voix choix doigt

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 's' at the end of 'sous'. It is silent.
Pronouncing the 'd' or 's' at the end of 'poids'. They are silent.
Failing to make the 'en' nasal enough, sounding like 'on' or 'in'.
Adding a 't' sound to the end of 'poids' because of the English word 'weight'.
Putting too much emphasis on the 'u' in 'sous', making it sound like English 'sow'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'sous' and 'poids'.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires remembering the hyphen and the preposition 'en'.

Sprechen 3/5

Pronunciation of 'poids' is tricky (silent letters) and 'en' needs to be nasal.

Hören 2/5

Clear sound, but 'poids' can be confused with other homophones.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

poids sous sur être santé

Als Nächstes lernen

en surpoids l'indice de masse corporelle la nutrition maigrir grossir

Fortgeschritten

l'insuffisance pondérale émacié malingre dénutrition métabolisme

Wichtige Grammatik

Prepositional Phrases as Adjectives

Elle est en colère; il est en sous-poids. (Invariable)

Compound Nouns with Hyphens

Un sous-poids, un sous-sol, un après-midi.

Silent Final Consonants

Poids (d and s are silent), Temps (p and s are silent).

Nasal Vowels (en/an/in)

En sous-poids, manger, lapin.

Adverbs of Degree with Prepositional Phrases

Il est **très** en sous-poids. (Adverb comes before 'en')

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Le petit chat est en sous-poids.

The little cat is underweight.

Use 'en' before 'sous-poids'.

Je ne suis pas en sous-poids.

I am not underweight.

Negative structure: ne + verb + pas + en sous-poids.

Est-ce qu'il est en sous-poids ?

Is he underweight?

Question form using 'est-ce que'.

Elle mange beaucoup car elle est en sous-poids.

She eats a lot because she is underweight.

'Car' means 'because' in a formal way.

Mon frère est un peu en sous-poids.

My brother is a little underweight.

'Un peu' modifies the degree.

Le médecin dit que tu es en sous-poids.

The doctor says that you are underweight.

'Que' introduces a subordinate clause.

Nous ne voulons pas être en sous-poids.

We do not want to be underweight.

'Vouloir' + infinitive 'être'.

Pourquoi est-elle en sous-poids ?

Why is she underweight?

'Pourquoi' starts the question.

L'enfant est né légèrement en sous-poids.

The child was born slightly underweight.

Past participle 'né' with 'être'.

Si on est en sous-poids, on manque d'énergie.

If one is underweight, one lacks energy.

'On' is used for a general truth.

Ses parents s'inquiètent car il est en sous-poids.

His parents are worried because he is underweight.

Pronominal verb 's'inquiéter'.

Il faut manger plus de protéines si tu es en sous-poids.

You must eat more protein if you are underweight.

'Il faut' + infinitive.

Le vétérinaire dit que le chien est en sous-poids.

The vet says the dog is underweight.

Animal health context.

Elle était en sous-poids l'année dernière.

She was underweight last year.

Imperfect tense 'était' for a past state.

Peu de gens dans cette classe sont en sous-poids.

Few people in this class are underweight.

'Peu de' + noun.

Est-ce grave d'être en sous-poids ?

Is it serious to be underweight?

'D'être' is the infinitive used as a subject complement.

Le nutritionniste m'a aidé à ne plus être en sous-poids.

The nutritionist helped me stop being underweight.

'Ne plus' means 'no longer'.

Certains athlètes deviennent en sous-poids avant une compétition.

Some athletes become underweight before a competition.

Verb 'devenir' shows a change of state.

Il est rare d'être en sous-poids avec une telle alimentation.

It is rare to be underweight with such a diet.

'Une telle' means 'such a'.

Bien qu'elle mange beaucoup, elle reste en sous-poids.

Although she eats a lot, she remains underweight.

'Bien que' + subjunctive 'mange'.

L'indice de masse corporelle indique qu'il est en sous-poids.

The body mass index indicates that he is underweight.

Technical context (IMC).

Le gouvernement lutte contre le fait d'être en sous-poids chez les jeunes.

The government is fighting against being underweight among young people.

'Lutter contre' means 'to fight against'.

Être gravement en sous-poids peut endommager le cœur.

Being severely underweight can damage the heart.

'Gravement' is a strong adverb.

Elle se sentait faible parce qu'elle était en sous-poids.

She felt weak because she was underweight.

Cause and effect in the past.

La loi interdit aux mannequins d'être excessivement en sous-poids.

The law forbids models from being excessively underweight.

'Interdire à [quelqu'un] de [faire quelque chose]'.

Le médecin a diagnostiqué une insuffisance pondérale, il est donc en sous-poids.

The doctor diagnosed a weight insufficiency, so he is underweight.

Linking 'insuffisance pondérale' (noun) with 'en sous-poids' (adjective).

Il est crucial que les patients en sous-poids reçoivent un suivi psychologique.

It is crucial that underweight patients receive psychological follow-up.

Subjunctive mood 'reçoivent' after 'il est crucial que'.

Le film explore les pressions sociales qui poussent les adolescents à être en sous-poids.

The film explores the social pressures that push teenagers to be underweight.

'Pousser [quelqu'un] à [faire quelque chose]'.

L'étude démontre un lien entre le stress chronique et le fait d'être en sous-poids.

The study demonstrates a link between chronic stress and being underweight.

Academic structure.

Malgré ses efforts pour grossir, il demeure en sous-poids.

Despite his efforts to gain weight, he remains underweight.

'Malgré' + noun.

On ne peut pas ignorer les risques de rester en sous-poids sur le long terme.

One cannot ignore the risks of remaining underweight in the long term.

'Sur le long terme' (in the long run).

Elle a été hospitalisée car elle était devenue dangereusement en sous-poids.

She was hospitalized because she had become dangerously underweight.

Past perfect 'était devenue'.

L'omniprésence de l'image de la femme en sous-poids dans les médias est critiquée.

The ubiquity of the image of the underweight woman in the media is criticized.

Complex subject with 'de'.

L'insuffisance pondérale peut être le symptôme d'une pathologie sous-jacente.

Being underweight can be a symptom of an underlying pathology.

Using the formal noun form.

Il convient de distinguer la minceur constitutionnelle du fait d'être en sous-poids.

It is appropriate to distinguish constitutional thinness from being underweight.

'Il convient de' is very formal.

Les politiques de santé publique visent à réduire le nombre de personnes en sous-poids.

Public health policies aim to reduce the number of underweight people.

'Viser à' + infinitive.

Sa constitution fragile la maintenait dans un état de sous-poids permanent.

Her fragile constitution kept her in a permanent state of being underweight.

Literary style.

Le rapport souligne la corrélation entre pauvreté et état de sous-poids.

The report highlights the correlation between poverty and being underweight.

'Souligner' (to highlight/underline).

Bien que l'obésité soit plus médiatisée, être en sous-poids est tout aussi risqué.

Although obesity is more publicized, being underweight is just as risky.

Comparative structure with 'tout aussi'.

L'analyse biochimique a révélé pourquoi le patient restait en sous-poids.

The biochemical analysis revealed why the patient remained underweight.

Scientific context.

L'esthétique du corps en sous-poids a longtemps dominé les podiums de la haute couture.

The aesthetic of the underweight body has long dominated high fashion runways.

Historical/Cultural analysis.

On observe une recrudescence des cas de jeunes hommes se retrouvant en sous-poids.

A resurgence of cases of young men finding themselves underweight is observed.

'Recrudescence' is a high-level noun.

L'ambiguïté réside dans la définition même de ce qui constitue un état de sous-poids.

The ambiguity lies in the very definition of what constitutes an underweight state.

Abstract philosophical inquiry.

Il s'agit d'une approche holistique pour traiter les individus chroniquement en sous-poids.

It is a holistic approach to treating chronically underweight individuals.

'Il s'agit de' (It is about/It is a matter of).

La prévalence du sous-poids dans les zones de conflit est un indicateur de crise humanitaire.

The prevalence of underweight status in conflict zones is an indicator of a humanitarian crisis.

Geopolitical context.

Il est impératif que nous ne stigmatisions pas ceux qui sont en sous-poids.

It is imperative that we do not stigmatize those who are underweight.

Subjunctive 'stigmatisions'.

Le passage de la minceur au sous-poids pathologique est souvent imperceptible.

The transition from thinness to pathological underweight is often imperceptible.

Nuanced observation.

L'œuvre dépeint la souffrance d'un personnage luttant contre son état de sous-poids.

The work depicts the suffering of a character struggling against their underweight state.

Literary analysis of a character.

Häufige Kollokationen

être en sous-poids

gravement en sous-poids

légèrement en sous-poids

naître en sous-poids

rester en sous-poids

devenir en sous-poids

se trouver en sous-poids

être chroniquement en sous-poids

se sentir en sous-poids

dangereusement en sous-poids

Häufige Phrasen

Je suis en sous-poids.

— I am underweight. Used to state one's health status.

Je suis en sous-poids, donc je dois manger plus.

Il n'est pas en sous-poids.

— He is not underweight. Used to reassure someone about their weight.

Rassure-toi, il n'est pas en sous-poids.

Comment ne plus être en sous-poids ?

— How to stop being underweight? A common question for health experts.

Comment ne plus être en sous-poids naturellement ?

Le risque d'être en sous-poids.

— The risk of being underweight. Used in health warnings.

Le risque d'être en sous-poids est souvent ignoré.

Être considéré en sous-poids.

— To be considered underweight. Used when referring to BMI standards.

Il est considéré en sous-poids par l'OMS.

Une personne en sous-poids.

— An underweight person. A polite way to identify someone's condition.

Une personne en sous-poids doit consulter un médecin.

Les causes du sous-poids.

— The causes of being underweight. Used in medical analysis.

Nous analysons les causes du sous-poids chez ce patient.

Lutter contre le sous-poids.

— To fight against being underweight. Used in public health.

Lutter contre le sous-poids infantile est une priorité.

Un état de sous-poids.

— A state of being underweight. Formal way to describe the condition.

Il est dans un état de sous-poids alarmant.

Vivre en étant en sous-poids.

— Living while being underweight. Discussing the lifestyle impact.

Vivre en étant en sous-poids fatigue le corps.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

en sous-poids vs en surpoids

This is the exact opposite (overweight). Don't mix up 'sous' (under) and 'sur' (over).

en sous-poids vs mince

'Mince' is usually a positive description of someone's figure, while 'en sous-poids' is a medical concern.

en sous-poids vs maigre

'Maigre' is more visual and can be judgmental; 'en sous-poids' is factual and based on BMI.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"n'avoir que la peau sur les os"

— To be skin and bones. Describes extreme underweight.

Après sa maladie, il n'avait que la peau sur les os.

Informal

"être maigre comme un clou"

— To be as thin as a nail. A common simile for very thin people.

Elle est maigre comme un clou malgré son appétit.

Informal

"être sec comme un cent de clous"

— To be as dry/thin as a hundred nails. A Quebecois variation.

Il est sec comme un cent de clous, cet homme-là !

Informal (Quebec)

"ne pas peser lourd"

— To not weigh much. Can mean thin or lack of influence.

Le petit ne pèse pas lourd dans ses vêtements d'hiver.

Neutral

"fondre comme neige au soleil"

— To melt like snow in the sun. Describes rapid weight loss.

Il a fondu comme neige au soleil pendant son voyage.

Neutral

"être un sac d'os"

— To be a bag of bones. A harsh way to describe someone very thin.

Le pauvre chien n'est plus qu'un sac d'os.

Informal/Harsh

"avoir la ligne"

— To have a good figure. Usually positive, unlike 'en sous-poids'.

Elle a toujours la ligne à soixante ans.

Informal

"être tiré à quatre épingles"

— To be dressed very neatly, but sometimes used for very thin people who look 'sharp'.

Il est toujours tiré à quatre épingles dans ses costumes.

Neutral

"être comme une lame de couteau"

— To be like a knife blade. Describes someone very thin and sharp-featured.

Il est fin comme une lame de couteau.

Literary

"manger comme un oiseau"

— To eat like a bird. Often the cause of being underweight.

Pas étonnant qu'elle soit en sous-poids, elle mange comme un oiseau.

Informal

Leicht verwechselbar

en sous-poids vs pois

Homophone

'Pois' means peas (vegetable), while 'poids' means weight. They sound identical.

Je mange des petits pois.

en sous-poids vs poix

Homophone

'Poix' means pitch or tar. It is a very rare word compared to 'poids'.

La poix est une substance collante.

en sous-poids vs pouce

Similar sound

'Pouce' means thumb or inch. The vowel sound is different ('ou' vs 'oi').

Il s'est blessé au pouce.

en sous-poids vs poisse

Similar sound

'Poisse' is slang for bad luck. It ends with a strong 's' sound.

Quelle poisse, j'ai raté mon train !

en sous-poids vs pode

Spelling

There is no word 'pode' in French, but students often misspell 'poids'.

N/A

Satzmuster

Sujet + être + en sous-poids.

Le bébé est en sous-poids.

Sujet + être + [adverbe] + en sous-poids.

Il est un peu en sous-poids.

Si + sujet + être + en sous-poids, ...

Si tu es en sous-poids, mange plus.

Sujet + [verbe de changement] + en sous-poids.

Elle devient en sous-poids.

Le fait d'être en sous-poids + [verbe].

Le fait d'être en sous-poids est risqué.

Sujet + paraître + en sous-poids.

Il paraît en sous-poids sur cette photo.

Considérer [quelqu'un] comme étant en sous-poids.

On le considère comme étant en sous-poids.

L'état de sous-poids + [complément].

L'état de sous-poids du patient inquiète la clinique.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

le poids (weight)

la pesée (weighing)

la pesanteur (gravity)

l'insuffisance (insufficiency)

Verben

peser (to weigh)

s'amaigrir (to get thinner)

grossir (to get fatter)

sous-estimer (to underestimate)

Adjektive

pondéral (relating to weight)

pesant (heavy/weighty)

léger (light)

maigre (thin)

Verwandt

l'indice de masse corporelle (BMI)

la nutrition

la calorie

le régime

la croissance

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in medical and news contexts; less common in casual social talk.

Häufige Fehler

Il est sous-poids. → Il est en sous-poids.
You must use the preposition 'en' to form the adjectival phrase. Omitting it is a common anglicism.
Elle est en sous-poids**e**. → Elle est en sous-poids.
The phrase is invariable and does not take a feminine ending even when the subject is female.
Ils sont en sous-poids**s**. → Ils sont en sous-poids.
The phrase is invariable and does not take a plural 's'.
Il est en sous poids. → Il est en sous-poids.
The hyphen is mandatory between 'sous' and 'poids' in this compound noun.
J'ai un sous-poids. → Je suis en sous-poids.
In French, you 'are in' a state of underweight, you don't 'have' an underweight.

Tipps

The Invariable Rule

Never add an 's' or an 'e' to 'en sous-poids'. Prepositional phrases acting as adjectives don't agree with the subject. This is a rule that applies to many 'en' phrases like 'en retard' or 'en avance'.

Clinical vs. Aesthetic

Use 'en sous-poids' when talking about health and 'mince' when talking about fashion or looking good. This distinction is key to sounding like a native speaker and being polite in French culture.

Silent Letters

Remember the 'd' and 's' in 'poids' are silent. Think of the word 'Pois' (peas) which sounds exactly the same. Don't let the English word 'weight' trick you into adding a 't' sound.

The Hyphen

Always check for the hyphen in 'sous-poids'. It's a small detail but very important for formal writing and exams. Compound words with 'sous' almost always have one.

Medical Settings

If you are at a French pharmacy or doctor, look for this word on charts or scales. It is the standard way they will describe a low BMI. Knowing it helps you understand medical advice quickly.

Antonym Pattern

Learn 'en sous-poids' and 'en surpoids' together. They use the same 'en [prefix] poids' structure, which makes them much easier to memorize as a pair.

The Liaison

In very formal speech, you might hear a small connection between 'en' and 'sous-poids', but usually, 'en' remains a distinct nasal sound followed by the 's' of 'sous'.

Be Professional

In a job interview or a formal presentation about health, always choose 'en sous-poids' over 'maigre'. It shows a higher level of education and respect for the subject matter.

Submarine Trick

Think: 'Sous' is 'Sub'. A submarine is 'sous-marin'. 'Sous-poids' is 'Sub-weight'. This helps you remember that 'sous' means 'under'.

French Beauty Standards

Understand that in France, being 'mince' is often valued, but being 'en sous-poids' is seen as a medical failure or a social problem. Using the right word shows you understand these cultural nuances.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a submarine (sous-marin) going 'under' the water. 'Sous-poids' is when your weight goes 'under' the healthy line.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a scale where the needle is pointing to the left, under the green healthy zone. The word 'SOUS' is written in big letters under the scale.

Word Web

Santé IMC Médecin Maigre Poids Nourriture Calories Muscle

Herausforderung

Try to use 'en sous-poids' in a sentence describing a thin animal you saw recently. Then, find the opposite term 'en surpoids' and use it to describe a fat cat.

Wortherkunft

The phrase is a combination of the French preposition 'en', the prefix 'sous-', and the noun 'poids'. 'Sous' comes from the Latin 'sub' (under). 'Poids' comes from the Latin 'pensum' (something weighed), which evolved through Old French 'pois'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The original meaning of the components was 'in a state of being under weight'.

Romance (Latin-based).

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using this term; even though it is clinical, discussing someone's weight can be offensive. Use it only in medical or factual contexts.

In English, 'underweight' is one word. In French, it's a phrase 'en sous-poids'. English speakers often forget the 'en'.

The French 'Loi Mannequin' of 2017. Health brochures from 'Santé Publique France'. Documentaries on the fashion industry like 'The Price of Beauty' (French versions).

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

At the Doctor's

Je suis en sous-poids.
Est-ce dangereux d'être en sous-poids ?
Comment traiter le sous-poids ?
Mon enfant est en sous-poids.

At the Gym

Je veux prendre du muscle car je suis en sous-poids.
Un programme pour les personnes en sous-poids.
Prendre de la masse.
Éviter de rester en sous-poids.

In a Fashion Discussion

Les mannequins en sous-poids.
La loi contre le sous-poids.
L'image corporelle.
Les critères de poids.

At the Vet

Mon chat est en sous-poids.
Il ne mange pas assez.
Reprendre du poids.
Croquettes pour animaux en sous-poids.

In a News Report

La famine cause un sous-poids généralisé.
Les statistiques du sous-poids.
L'aide humanitaire.
L'insuffisance pondérale infantile.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Penses-tu que les médias encouragent les gens à être en sous-poids ?"

"Que devrait faire quelqu'un qui est en sous-poids pour sa santé ?"

"As-tu déjà connu quelqu'un qui était gravement en sous-poids ?"

"Est-ce que le terme 'en sous-poids' est plus poli que 'maigre' ?"

"Pourquoi est-il parfois difficile de ne plus être en sous-poids ?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Décris une situation où tu as dû parler de la santé ou du poids de quelqu'un de manière polie.

Que penses-tu de la loi française qui interdit aux mannequins en sous-poids de travailler ?

Imagine que tu es médecin. Écris des conseils pour un patient qui est légèrement en sous-poids.

Comment la perception de l'état de 'sous-poids' a-t-elle changé au cours du siècle dernier ?

Réflexion sur l'importance d'avoir un poids sain plutôt que de suivre les modes.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

The phrase 'en sous-poids' is invariable. It does not have a gender. You use it the same way for 'il' (he) and 'elle' (she). For example, 'Il est en sous-poids' and 'Elle est en sous-poids' are both correct.

Yes, the hyphen (trait d'union) is absolutely necessary. In French, compound nouns formed with 'sous-' generally require a hyphen. Writing it as 'sous poids' is considered a spelling error.

No, that is a common mistake for English speakers. You must use the preposition 'en'. It functions like 'en colère' (in anger/angry) or 'en avance' (early). Always say 'en sous-poids'.

'Maigre' is a general adjective meaning 'thin' or 'skinny' and can be subjective. 'En sous-poids' is a clinical term that implies the person's weight is medically too low. Doctors prefer 'en sous-poids'.

No, it is not an insult. It is a neutral, medical description. However, like any comment about someone's weight, it should be used with care and sensitivity to avoid making the person feel uncomfortable.

You don't! Both the 'd' and the 's' are silent. The word 'poids' is pronounced exactly like 'pwa' (rhyming with the English word 'wah'). This is a common trap for learners.

The direct opposite is 'en surpoids', which means 'overweight'. It follows the same grammatical rules and is also invariable. You can also use 'obèse' for more extreme cases.

Yes, it is very common in veterinary medicine. If a dog or cat is too thin, the vet will say the animal is 'en sous-poids'. It is the professional way to describe an animal's condition.

While 'sous-poids' is technically a noun, it is almost always used in the phrase 'en sous-poids'. If you need a formal noun for a report, 'l'insuffisance pondérale' is often used instead.

Yes, it is considered B1 level because it is a more specific and professional term than the basic A1/A2 words like 'maigre'. Mastering it shows you can discuss health topics accurately.

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