Meaning
To undergo an assessment.
Cultural Background
The French medical system is very thorough. It is common for doctors to order many tests ('faire subir des examens') to be certain of a diagnosis. In Quebec, 'passer un test' is used more frequently than in France for medical contexts due to English influence, but 'subir' remains the formal standard. Belgian French follows the hexagonal (French) standard closely regarding 'subir' for technical and medical procedures. Swiss French uses 'subir' in administrative and military contexts, such as the mandatory tests for army recruitment.
The Doctor Rule
If you are at the doctor, use 'subir'. If you are at school, use 'passer'.
False Friend Alert
In Spanish, 'subir' means 'to go up'. In French, it never means that. Don't say 'subir l'escalier'!
Meaning
To undergo an assessment.
The Doctor Rule
If you are at the doctor, use 'subir'. If you are at school, use 'passer'.
False Friend Alert
In Spanish, 'subir' means 'to go up'. In French, it never means that. Don't say 'subir l'escalier'!
Passive Voice Alternative
Instead of saying 'The test was done on me', say 'J'ai subi un test'. It sounds much more natural in French.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct verb for a medical situation.
Le patient doit ______ un test de vue chez l'ophtalmologue.
'Subir' is the correct verb for undergoing a medical assessment.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'subir' in the present tense.
Nous ___________ un test de sécurité chaque année.
The 'nous' form of 'subir' is 'subissons'.
Match the verb to the context.
1. Un examen de maths / 2. Un test ADN
You 'passer' a school exam and 'subir' a medical/forensic test.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Pourquoi es-tu à l'hôpital ? B: Je dois _______ un test d'effort.
'Subir un test d'effort' is the standard medical collocation.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Passer vs Subir
Where to use 'Subir un test'
Hôpital
- • Test ADN
- • Test d'effort
- • Analyse
Usine
- • Test de choc
- • Test de qualité
- • Résistance
Police
- • Alcoolémie
- • Drogue
- • Vérité
Practice Bank
4 exercisesLe patient doit ______ un test de vue chez l'ophtalmologue.
'Subir' is the correct verb for undergoing a medical assessment.
Nous ___________ un test de sécurité chaque année.
The 'nous' form of 'subir' is 'subissons'.
1. Un examen de maths / 2. Un test ADN
You 'passer' a school exam and 'subir' a medical/forensic test.
A: Pourquoi es-tu à l'hôpital ? B: Je dois _______ un test d'effort.
'Subir un test d'effort' is the standard medical collocation.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsUsually, you say 'passer son permis'. However, if you are talking about the technical eye test or a breathalyzer, you use 'subir'.
Not always, but it is always serious. It implies you are not in control of the process.
'Subir' is for a specific event or procedure. 'Endurer' is for a long-lasting state of suffering.
Je suis en train de subir un test.
Yes, it follows the regular -ir (second group) pattern like 'finir'.
Yes, it is very common in engineering to say a prototype 'subit des tests'.
It is 'subir un test' (no preposition).
Yes, 'subir un test ADN' is the standard phrase.
There isn't a direct opposite, but 'faire passer un test' is the active version.
Yes, it is more formal than 'faire' or 'passer'.
Related Phrases
passer un examen
similarTo take an exam
faire subir
builds onTo subject someone to something
se soumettre à
synonymTo submit to
endurer
similarTo endure
un test de dépistage
specialized formA screening test
