In 15 Seconds
- Acting based on someone else's idea.
- Implies guidance, not force.
- Common in everyday conversations.
- Use `sous` and plural `suggestions`.
Meaning
This phrase means you're doing something because someone else suggested it or gave you the idea. It’s like following a helpful nudge or recommendation from another person, implying their advice influenced your action. It carries a vibe of collaboration or being guided, not necessarily of being forced.
Key Examples
3 of 12Texting a friend about a movie choice
J'ai regardé ce film hier soir, sous des suggestions de toi !
I watched this movie last night, under your suggestions!
Instagram caption about a new hobby
Nouveau projet créatif ! J'ai commencé la peinture sous des suggestions de ma sœur. Elle m'a dit que ça me détendrait. #artthérapie #peinture
New creative project! I started painting under my sister's suggestions. She told me it would relax me. #arttherapy #painting
At a restaurant, explaining a dish choice
Le serveur nous a recommandé ce plat, donc nous l'avons pris sous des suggestions.
The waiter recommended this dish to us, so we took it under suggestions.
Cultural Background
In French corporate culture, 'le consensus' is often reached through multiple suggestions rather than a single top-down order. Acknowledging these suggestions is vital for team harmony. Quebecers might use 'sur les suggestions' more frequently than 'sous', influenced by the English 'at the suggestion of'. In Francophone Africa, respect for elders ('les sages') means that many life decisions are made 'sous les suggestions' of family patriarchs. Belgian French often maintains a very high level of formality in administrative documents, where 'sous les suggestions' is a standard legalistic filler.
The 'Credit' Trick
Use this phrase in meetings to sound like a team player. It makes you look humble while showing you take action.
Avoid 'Sous des'
While 'sous des suggestions' is grammatically possible, 'sous les suggestions' (the) sounds much more natural to native ears.
In 15 Seconds
- Acting based on someone else's idea.
- Implies guidance, not force.
- Common in everyday conversations.
- Use `sous` and plural `suggestions`.
What It Means
This phrase signals that your action is a direct result of someone else's idea. You're not acting purely on your own initiative; you're following a lead. Think of it as doing something because a friend whispered a great idea in your ear. It’s about being influenced by advice.
How To Use It
Use sous des suggestion when you want to explain why you did something. It’s a way to give credit to the person who sparked the idea. You often use it after someone has proposed an action or a course of events. It’s a polite way to show you listened. It fits well when discussing decisions or actions taken.
Real-Life Examples
Imagine your friend suggests trying a new café. You go there the next day. You could say, "J'y suis allé sous des suggestions d'un ami." (I went there under a friend's suggestion.) It’s perfect for explaining everyday choices. Or maybe your colleague suggests a new software. You start using it. You can mention, "J'utilise ce logiciel sous des suggestions de mon équipe." (I'm using this software under my team's suggestion.) It shows teamwork in action. It’s like saying, "I heard you, and I acted on it."
When To Use It
Use this phrase when you want to be specific about the origin of an idea. It's great for showing you value others' input. Use it when discussing projects, plans, or even simple daily activities. It works when you want to sound collaborative. It’s also good when you want to subtly deflect sole responsibility. "Oh, I tried that recipe? Yes, sous des suggestion de ma mère!" (Yes, under my mother's suggestion!)
When NOT To Use It
Don't use sous des suggestion if you acted entirely on your own. If the idea was 100% yours, this phrase would be misleading. Avoid it if you were forced or coerced; it implies a gentler influence. It's not for situations where you're giving orders or leading. Using it when you were the sole instigator makes you sound a bit odd. It's also not for spontaneous, unprompted actions you just felt like doing. If you just woke up and decided to eat a croissant, it wasn't under anyone's suggestion!
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up prepositions or use singular forms incorrectly. The key is sous (under) and des (plural indefinite article). Using sur (on) or avec (with) changes the meaning entirely. Forgetting the des or using une suggestion (a suggestion) can also sound unnatural. It's like trying to build with the wrong LEGO bricks – it just doesn't fit right.
Similar Expressions
Other phrases convey similar ideas. Suite à une suggestion means 'following a suggestion'. D'après une suggestion means 'according to a suggestion'. Sur la recommandation de means 'on the recommendation of'. These are often more formal or specific. Sous des suggestion feels a bit more integrated, like the suggestion is part of the foundation of your action. It’s less about a formal report and more about a shared idea.
Common Variations
While sous des suggestion is the standard, you might hear variations. Sometimes people might say sous suggestion (without des), though it's less common and can sound slightly abrupt. The plural suggestions is generally preferred as it implies a general influence or a collection of ideas. You might also hear sous l'impulsion de (under the impulse of) which is stronger. But sous des suggestion is the most natural fit for everyday guidance.
Memory Trick
Picture yourself standing under a big, bright lightbulb (sous = under). That lightbulb represents a brilliant suggestion (suggestion). You're doing something because that bright idea popped up from above! So, you're acting under the influence of a suggestion. It’s like a lightbulb moment that came from someone else.
Quick FAQ
- Does it mean you were forced? No, it implies influence, not coercion. The suggestion was helpful, not mandatory. It's more like a friendly tip guiding your choice.
- Can I use it for work projects? Absolutely! It shows collaboration and acknowledges team input. "We launched the feature sous des suggestion from marketing." sounds great.
- Is it formal or informal? It leans towards neutral to slightly informal. You'd use it in conversation or casual emails, maybe not in a highly formal report.
Usage Notes
This phrase sits comfortably in neutral to informal registers. While technically usable in formal contexts, more specific terms like 'sur recommandation' might be preferred. Avoid using it if you acted entirely on your own or were coerced; its core meaning is about being guided by advice.
The 'Credit' Trick
Use this phrase in meetings to sound like a team player. It makes you look humble while showing you take action.
Avoid 'Sous des'
While 'sous des suggestions' is grammatically possible, 'sous les suggestions' (the) sounds much more natural to native ears.
Politesse
In France, acknowledging a suggestion is a form of 'politesse' (politeness). Don't skip it!
Examples
12J'ai regardé ce film hier soir, sous des suggestions de toi !
I watched this movie last night, under your suggestions!
Here, 'sous des suggestions de toi' clearly indicates the friend's recommendation was the reason for watching the movie.
Nouveau projet créatif ! J'ai commencé la peinture sous des suggestions de ma sœur. Elle m'a dit que ça me détendrait. #artthérapie #peinture
New creative project! I started painting under my sister's suggestions. She told me it would relax me. #arttherapy #painting
This uses the phrase to credit the sister for the idea and explain the motivation behind the new hobby.
Le serveur nous a recommandé ce plat, donc nous l'avons pris sous des suggestions.
The waiter recommended this dish to us, so we took it under suggestions.
This implies the group chose the dish because the waiter suggested it, making the choice feel guided.
J'ai mis à jour mon portfolio avec les exemples discutés, sous des suggestions de votre part lors de notre entretien.
I updated my portfolio with the discussed examples, under your suggestions during our interview.
This shows professionalism by acknowledging the interviewer's advice and acting upon it.
Ok, je vais essayer cette nouvelle approche pour le rapport, sous des suggestions de ton email.
Okay, I'll try this new approach for the report, under suggestions from your email.
This is a quick, modern way to confirm you're acting on advice received via digital communication.
Nous avons choisi cet hôtel parce qu'il était bien noté, et aussi sous des suggestions d'amis qui y ont séjourné.
We chose this hotel because it was well-rated, and also under suggestions from friends who stayed there.
This combines a practical reason (rating) with social influence (friends' suggestions).
✗ J'ai acheté ce livre sur des suggestions de ma mère. → ✓ J'ai acheté ce livre sous des suggestions de ma mère.
✗ I bought this book on the suggestions of my mother. → ✓ I bought this book under the suggestions of my mother.
Using 'sur' (on) changes the nuance; 'sous' (under) better captures the feeling of being guided by the suggestion.
✗ J'ai commencé le cours de yoga sous une suggestion de mon médecin. → ✓ J'ai commencé le cours de yoga sous des suggestions de mon médecin.
✗ I started the yoga class under a suggestion from my doctor. → ✓ I started the yoga class under suggestions from my doctor.
While 'une suggestion' isn't always wrong, 'des suggestions' often sounds more natural, implying a general recommendation or multiple points considered.
J'ai acheté ces baskets fluo parce que tout le monde en porte... bon, ok, c'était sous des suggestions de mon neveu de 15 ans.
I bought these neon sneakers because everyone's wearing them... okay, fine, it was under suggestions from my 15-year-old nephew.
This adds a touch of humor by attributing a potentially questionable fashion choice to youthful influence.
Après notre conversation, j'ai décidé de postuler à ce poste, vraiment sous des suggestions sincères de ta part.
After our conversation, I decided to apply for this position, truly under your sincere suggestions.
This conveys gratitude and acknowledges the deep impact of the friend's advice on a significant decision.
Nous avons ajusté notre stratégie marketing sous des suggestions du comité consultatif.
We adjusted our marketing strategy under suggestions from the advisory committee.
This sounds professional, indicating that the committee's input directly led to changes in the business approach.
J'ai ajouté des épices à la recette, sous des suggestions de ce chef célèbre sur YouTube !
I added spices to the recipe, under suggestions from that famous chef on YouTube!
This is a relatable modern scenario, explaining a cooking change based on online content.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct contraction of 'de'.
J'ai refait la décoration sous les suggestions ___ (le) décorateur.
De + le = du. Since 'décorateur' is masculine singular, 'du' is required.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a professional email?
How would you tell your boss you followed their ideas?
This uses the correct formal register ('vous') and the professional collocation.
Match the phrase to its register.
Registers and Phrases
Each phrase fits a specific social context in French.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: Pourquoi as-tu choisi ce vin ? B: Je l'ai pris ______ du sommelier.
A sommelier gives suggestions, not orders.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJ'ai refait la décoration sous les suggestions ___ (le) décorateur.
De + le = du. Since 'décorateur' is masculine singular, 'du' is required.
How would you tell your boss you followed their ideas?
This uses the correct formal register ('vous') and the professional collocation.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Each phrase fits a specific social context in French.
A: Pourquoi as-tu choisi ce vin ? B: Je l'ai pris ______ du sommelier.
A sommelier gives suggestions, not orders.
🎉 Score: /4
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNeither is 'better,' but 'sous les suggestions' is more formal and specific to ideas/proposals, whereas 'sur les conseils' is broader and more common.
Yes, just change it to 'sous la suggestion de' (singular).
No, it implies a voluntary choice to follow someone's good idea.
Yes, but 'sur les suggestions' is more frequent there due to English influence.
No, that sounds strange. You would say 'de ma propre initiative.'
It's a bit formal. 'Parce que tu m'as dit que...' is more natural with a partner.
'Contre l'avis de' (Against the advice of).
Only if you are being slightly ironic or very polite to a new acquaintance.
Yes, 'une suggestion.' That's why we say 'la suggestion' or 'les suggestions.'
'Sous vos suggestions' or 'Sous votre suggestion.'
Related Phrases
Sur les conseils de
similarOn the advice of
À l'instigation de
specialized formAt the instigation of
Sous l'impulsion de
builds onUnder the momentum of
Sur proposition de
synonymUpon the proposal of
Sous l'influence de
similarUnder the influence of
