Meaning
To establish or write an official statement of facts or findings.
Cultural Background
The 'constat amiable' is a standardized carbon-copy form used by all insurance companies. It is so central to French life that 'faire un constat' is synonymous with 'having a minor car accident'. In Quebec, while 'dresser un constat' is understood, you might also hear 'faire un rapport' more frequently in casual professional settings, influenced by English 'report'. Belgian administrative French is very similar to Hexagonal French. 'Dresser un constat' is the standard term in legal and police matters in Brussels and Wallonia. In countries like Senegal or Ivory Coast, 'dresser un constat' is used in highly formal administrative and legal contexts, often maintaining a very traditional, almost 19th-century French formality.
Use it in the DELF/DALF
Using 'dresser un constat' in your introduction for a B2 or C1 essay immediately signals to the examiner that you have a high-level command of formal register.
Don't forget the 'un'
It is almost always 'dresser UN constat'. Leaving out the article makes it sound like a telegram or a headline.
Meaning
To establish or write an official statement of facts or findings.
Use it in the DELF/DALF
Using 'dresser un constat' in your introduction for a B2 or C1 essay immediately signals to the examiner that you have a high-level command of formal register.
Don't forget the 'un'
It is almost always 'dresser UN constat'. Leaving out the article makes it sound like a telegram or a headline.
The 'Constat Amiable'
If you drive in France, learn this phrase. It can save you a lot of stress during a minor accident.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'dresser un constat'.
Après l'accident, les deux conducteurs ont décidé de ________ ________ ________ amiable.
In the context of a car accident, 'dresser un constat amiable' is the standard fixed expression.
Which verb is most appropriate for a formal business audit?
L'auditeur va ________ un constat de la santé financière de l'entreprise.
'Dresser' provides the necessary formal and administrative tone for an audit.
Match the type of 'constat' to the situation.
1. Accident de voiture, 2. Échec d'une politique, 3. État d'un appartement.
These are the most common specific collocations for 'constat'.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesAprès l'accident, les deux conducteurs ont décidé de ________ ________ ________ amiable.
In the context of a car accident, 'dresser un constat amiable' is the standard fixed expression.
L'auditeur va ________ un constat de la santé financière de l'entreprise.
'Dresser' provides the necessary formal and administrative tone for an audit.
1. Accident de voiture, 2. Échec d'une politique, 3. État d'un appartement.
These are the most common specific collocations for 'constat'.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsNot necessarily, but it is often used for problems, failures, or accidents. You can 'dresser un constat de réussite', but it's less common.
It's grammatically correct but sounds very 'foreign'. A native speaker will almost always use 'dresser' or 'faire'.
It's a report written by a bailiff (huissier) that serves as legal proof of a fact (e.g., water damage, noise).
Yes, but mostly in professional, legal, or political contexts. You won't hear it much at a bar.
A 'constat' is a snapshot of facts. A 'bilan' is a more detailed summary that often includes a judgment of value or a calculation of profit/loss.
Related Phrases
Faire le point
similarTo take stock of a situation.
Établir un bilan
synonymTo draw up a balance sheet or summary.
Faire un état des lieux
similarTo do an inventory of fixtures.
Dresser un procès-verbal
specialized formTo write an official police or meeting report.
