serment in 30 Seconds
- A solemn oath or vow.
- Used in legal, medical, and historical contexts.
- Commonly paired with 'prêter' (to take).
- Masculine noun, 'un serment'.
The French word serment is a powerful, high-stakes noun that translates most directly to 'oath' or 'vow' in English. While a simple promesse might be made between friends about meeting for coffee, a serment carries legal, religious, or deeply personal weight. It is the kind of commitment that, if broken, results in more than just a social awkwardness; it often leads to legal consequences (perjury) or a profound loss of honor. In French culture, the term is inextricably linked to the foundations of the Republic and the medical profession.
- Legal Context
- In a court of law, witnesses do not just 'promise' to tell the truth; they 'prêtent serment' (take an oath). This formal act places them under the jurisdiction of the law regarding 'faux témoignage' (perjury).
Le nouveau président a prêté serment devant la nation tout entière, jurant de respecter la Constitution.
Historically, the word evokes the Serment du Jeu de Paume (Tennis Court Oath), a pivotal moment in the French Revolution where deputies vowed not to separate until a constitution was established. This historical weight makes the word feel 'heavy' and 'solemn'. You will hear it in ceremonies, such as when doctors take the Serment d'Hippocrate (Hippocratic Oath) or when soldiers pledge loyalty. It is rarely used for trivial matters unless one is being hyperbolic or dramatic.
- Romantic/Personal Context
- In literature and poetry, lovers exchange 'serments de fidélité' (vows of fidelity). Here, it implies an eternal commitment that transcends a mere agreement.
Ils ont échangé un serment éternel sous le vieux chêne du jardin.
Furthermore, the concept of 'sous serment' (under oath) is essential for anyone following French news or legal dramas. If someone is speaking 'sous serment', their words are considered legally binding evidence. Breaking this is 'trahir son serment' (betraying one's oath).
- Professional Standards
- Many professions in France, from 'avocats' (lawyers) to 'experts-comptables' (accountants), require a formal serment to ensure ethical conduct within the public sphere.
Using serment correctly requires understanding its collocations—the words it naturally hangs out with. Because it is a formal noun, it usually appears in structured phrases. The most common is prêter serment. Unlike English where you 'take' or 'make' an oath, in French, you 'lend' (prêter) it, suggesting that the oath is a commitment given to an authority or society.
Avant de témoigner, vous devez lever la main droite et prêter serment.
Another vital construction is sous serment. This functions as an adverbial phrase describing the state of the speaker. For example, 'Il a affirmé cela sous serment' (He affirmed that under oath). This implies the statement has maximum credibility—or maximum risk if false.
- Verbs to use with Serment
- - Rompre (to break): 'Il a rompu son serment.'
- Trahir (to betray): 'Trahir un serment est un acte grave.'
- Dénier (to deny/renounce): 'Il a dénié son serment de jeunesse.'
- Renouveler (to renew): 'Les époux ont renouvelé leurs serments.'
When describing the quality of the oath, use adjectives like solennel (solemn), sacré (sacred), or inviolable (unbreakable). A 'serment d'ivrogne' is a colorful idiom referring to a promise made by a drunk person—meaning a promise that won't be kept.
C'est un serment d'ivrogne, il oubliera tout demain matin !
In administrative French, you might see déclaration sous serment (affidavit). This is a written version of an oath. If you are applying for French citizenship or a visa, you might encounter this term in your paperwork. It emphasizes that you are legally responsible for the truth of the contents.
You won't hear serment in a casual conversation about what someone is having for lunch. Instead, you'll encounter it in specific high-gravity environments. First and foremost: the courtroom. French legal procedurals (like 'Engrenages' or 'L'Art du Crime') frequently feature the phrase 'Vous jurez de dire toute la vérité, rien que la vérité, levez la main droite et dites : Je le jure.' This is the act of prêter serment.
- Political Life
- Every five years, during the presidential inauguration, the concept of the oath to the Republic is discussed in news media, even if the French president doesn't swear on a Bible like the US president.
Les députés ont rappelé le serment qu'ils ont fait de servir le peuple.
Historical Education: Every French schoolchild learns about the Serment du Jeu de Paume of 1789. It is seen as the birth of French democracy. If you visit the Palace of Versailles, you will see David's famous painting depicting this moment. The word here represents the collective will of a nation being born.
Literature and Theater: In the plays of Molière or Racine, a serment is often the engine of the plot. A character makes a vow and then struggles to keep it or suffers for breaking it. In Victor Hugo's 'Les Misérables', the concept of a sacred promise is central to Jean Valjean's redemption arc.
Il a fait le serment de protéger l'enfant quoi qu'il arrive.
The most frequent mistake for English speakers is confusing serment with the English word sermon. While they look similar, a 'sermon' in French is actually a sermon (religious talk) or a prêche. If you tell someone 'J'ai écouté un serment à l'église', they will think you heard someone taking a legal oath in the pews, rather than a priest giving a speech.
- Gender Errors
- Many learners assume words ending in '-ent' might be feminine (like 'la dent'). However, 'serment' is masculine: un serment. Using 'une serment' is a hallmark of a beginner mistake.
Incorrect: Elle a fait une serment.
Correct: Elle a fait un serment.
Another mistake is using the wrong verb. English speakers often say 'faire un serment' (to make an oath). While 'faire' is understandable, the correct, more elegant, and standard term is prêter serment. Using 'faire' sounds slightly childish or non-native in a formal context.
Finally, don't confuse serment with vœu. While a vœu is a vow (often religious or for New Year's resolutions), a serment is specifically the formal declaration of that vow. You might make 'vœux de mariage' (wedding vows), but you 'prêtez serment' in a professional or legal capacity.
To truly master serment, you need to know its neighbors in the semantic field of 'promises'. Not all promises are created equal in French.
- Serment vs. Promesse
- Promesse: General, everyday commitment. 'Je te promets de venir.'
Serment: Formal, solemn, often involving a witness or legal consequence. 'Je prête serment devant le tribunal.'
- Serment vs. Vœu
- Vœu: Often has a religious or aspirational connotation. 'Vœux de pauvreté' (vows of poverty) or 'Vœux de nouvel an' (New Year's wishes).
Serment: More civic, legal, or binding in a rigid way.
Le moine a prononcé ses vœux, mais le témoin a prêté serment.
Jurement: This is a tricky one. While it can mean an oath, in modern French, it often refers to 'swearing' in the sense of using profanity or a curse word. If you say 'Il a crié un jurement', it means he shouted a swear word. Serment is never used for profanity.
In a military context, you might hear allégeance (allegiance), which is the specific type of serment one makes to a sovereign or a state. In a business context, engagement contractuel is preferred over serment, as it sounds more professional and less archaic.
How Formal Is It?
"Je vous saurais gré de bien vouloir prêter serment devant cette assemblée."
"Le témoin a fait son serment avant de commencer."
"Je te jure, c'est mon serment, je ne dirai rien !"
"C'est une très grande promesse, comme un serment de chevalier."
"(Not usually used in slang; people use 'Je te jure' or 'Sur la vie de ma mère')"
Fun Fact
The word 'serment' shares the same root as 'sacrament'. In the Middle Ages, an oath was considered a religious act that put one's soul at risk.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the final 't'.
- Making the 'en' sound like the English word 'men'.
- Confusing it with 'sermon'.
Difficulty Rating
Common in news and literature, but formal.
Requires knowledge of specific collocations like 'prêter'.
Nasal vowel and silent 't' can be tricky for beginners.
Easy to recognize if you know the nasal 'en' sound.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Nasal Vowels
The 'en' in 'serment' is pronounced /ɑ̃/.
Silent Final Consonants
The 't' in 'serment' is silent.
Verb + Noun Collocations
Use 'prêter' with 'serment' instead of 'faire'.
Masculine Nouns in -ment
Most French nouns ending in -ment are masculine (le moment, le gouvernement).
Preposition 'Sous'
'Sous serment' functions like 'under oath'.
Examples by Level
Il fait un serment.
He makes a solemn promise.
'Un' is the masculine article.
C'est mon serment.
It is my oath.
'Mon' is the masculine possessive adjective.
Le serment est fort.
The oath is strong.
'Le' is the definite article.
Un petit serment.
A small oath.
Adjectives usually follow the noun, but 'petit' comes before.
Je garde mon serment.
I keep my oath.
'Garder' means to keep or guard.
Le roi veut un serment.
The king wants an oath.
'Veut' is the verb 'vouloir' (to want).
Elle entend le serment.
She hears the oath.
'Entend' is the verb 'entendre' (to hear).
Pas de serment aujourd'hui.
No oath today.
'Pas de' is used for negation.
Le docteur prête serment.
The doctor takes an oath.
'Prêter' is the standard verb for taking an oath.
C'est un serment important.
It is an important oath.
'Important' follows the noun.
Ils ont fait un serment de fidélité.
They made a vow of fidelity.
'De fidélité' describes the type of oath.
N'oublie pas ton serment !
Don't forget your oath!
Imperative form of 'oublier'.
Le serment du Jeu de Paume est célèbre.
The Tennis Court Oath is famous.
Historical proper noun phrase.
Il a rompu son serment.
He broke his oath.
'Rompu' is the past participle of 'rompre'.
Je prête serment devant toi.
I take an oath before you.
'Devant' is a preposition of place/presence.
Un serment pour la vie.
An oath for life.
'Pour la vie' means forever.
Le témoin parle sous serment.
The witness is speaking under oath.
'Sous serment' is an essential legal phrase.
Elle a refusé de prêter serment.
She refused to take the oath.
'Refuser de' + infinitive.
Le serment d'Hippocrate guide les médecins.
The Hippocratic oath guides doctors.
'Guide' is the verb 'guider'.
Il est lié par un serment sacré.
He is bound by a sacred oath.
'Lié par' means bound by.
Chaque nouveau soldat doit prêter serment.
Every new soldier must take an oath.
'Doit' + infinitive expresses obligation.
C'est un serment d'ivrogne, ne le crois pas.
It's a drunkard's promise, don't believe him.
Idiomatic expression for an unreliable promise.
Nous avons renouvelé nos serments de mariage.
We renewed our wedding vows.
'Renouveler' means to renew.
Trahir son serment est une grande faute.
Betraying one's oath is a great mistake.
Infinitive used as a subject.
Le président a prêté serment sur la Constitution.
The president took the oath on the Constitution.
'Sur' indicates the object the oath is sworn upon.
Il a affirmé, sous serment, n'avoir jamais vu cet homme.
He affirmed, under oath, that he had never seen this man.
Use of 'n'avoir jamais' (infinitive past negation).
Le secret professionnel est un serment tacite.
Professional secrecy is a tacit oath.
'Tacite' means implied/unspoken.
Elle a été accusée d'avoir violé son serment d'office.
She was accused of having violated her oath of office.
'Violer' is used for breaking formal rules or oaths.
Un serment solennel ne se rompt pas facilement.
A solemn oath is not easily broken.
Pronominal passive 'se rompt'.
Il a prêté serment de servir la justice avec impartialité.
He took an oath to serve justice with impartiality.
'De' + infinitive explains the content of the oath.
Le parjure est la conséquence d'un serment trahi.
Perjury is the consequence of a betrayed oath.
'Parjure' is the noun for the crime.
Ce serment nous engage pour les dix prochaines années.
This oath commits us for the next ten years.
'Engage' means to commit or bind.
L'acte de prêter serment confère une légitimité institutionnelle.
The act of taking an oath confers institutional legitimacy.
Abstract noun usage.
Il s'agit d'un serment d'allégeance à la couronne.
It is an oath of allegiance to the crown.
'Il s'agit de' means 'it is about/a matter of'.
Le serment, dans sa dimension sacrée, transcende le simple contrat.
The oath, in its sacred dimension, transcends a simple contract.
Appositive phrase used for emphasis.
On ne saurait galvauder la valeur d'un serment républicain.
One cannot squander the value of a republican oath.
'On ne saurait' is a formal way to say 'one cannot'.
La force du serment réside dans l'honneur de celui qui le prononce.
The strength of the oath lies in the honor of the one who utters it.
'Réside dans' means 'lies in'.
Il a été délié de son serment par une autorité supérieure.
He was released from his oath by a higher authority.
'Délié de' means released or untied from.
Le serment de Strasbourg est considéré comme l'un des plus anciens textes en français.
The Oaths of Strasbourg are considered one of the oldest texts in French.
Historical and linguistic reference.
Chaque mot du serment a été pesé avec une précision chirurgicale.
Every word of the oath was weighed with surgical precision.
Passive voice with 'être' + past participle.
L'ontologie du serment repose sur l'invocation d'une transcendance.
The ontology of the oath rests on the invocation of a transcendence.
Academic/philosophical register.
Abjurer son serment équivaut à un suicide social dans certaines castes.
Abjuring one's oath is equivalent to social suicide in certain castes.
'Abjurer' is a very formal term for renouncing.
La performativité du serment réside dans l'adéquation entre le dire et le faire.
The performativity of the oath lies in the alignment between saying and doing.
Linguistic terminology ('performativité').
Il a souscrit à ce serment avec une abnégation qui force l'admiration.
He subscribed to this oath with a self-denial that compels admiration.
'Force l'admiration' is an idiomatic collocation.
Le serment n'est pas une simple promesse, c'est un acte de foi envers la cité.
An oath is not a simple promise; it is an act of faith toward the city (society).
'Cité' used in the classical Greek/political sense.
L'irrévocabilité du serment en fait une arme à double tranchant.
The irrevocability of the oath makes it a double-edged sword.
'En fait' means 'makes it into'.
Il s'est enfermé dans un serment dont il ne peut plus s'extraire.
He locked himself into an oath from which he can no longer extract himself.
Relative pronoun 'dont'.
La violation du serment corrompt l'intégrité même du tissu social.
The violation of the oath corrupts the very integrity of the social fabric.
'Même' used for emphasis after a noun.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— To testify in court while bound by an oath.
Vous devez témoigner sous serment.
— To release someone from their promise.
Le prêtre l'a délié de son serment.
— A promise involving a divine or holy element.
C'est un serment sacré devant Dieu.
— To treat an oath with great importance.
Il prend son serment très au sérieux.
— The oath taken when starting a public job.
Le maire a lu son serment d'office.
— A pledge of loyalty to a person or cause.
Les chevaliers faisaient un serment de loyauté.
Often Confused With
A sermon is a religious speech; a serment is an oath.
Jurement often refers to a curse word in modern French.
A promesse is less formal and lacks legal weight.
Idioms & Expressions
— A promise made easily but never kept, like one made while drunk.
Ne l'écoute pas, c'est un serment d'ivrogne.
Informal— To swear on someone's life (usually hyperbolic).
Il a prêté serment sur la tête de sa mère.
Informal/Emotional— To break promises easily and frequently.
Il rompt ses serments comme du verre.
Literary— A hypocritical or double-sided promise.
Méfie-toi de son serment de Janus.
Literary— To have a bond that can only be broken by death.
Ils sont liés par un serment de sang.
Dramatic/Literary— A promise between outcasts or thieves.
Le serment des gueux ne vaut rien.
Old-fashioned— (Rare) To make a promise just to end a conversation.
C'est un serment de tapis pour nous faire plaisir.
Colloquial— A boastful promise that is unlikely to be fulfilled.
Encore un serment de Gascon !
Literary/Regional— To believe an oath immediately without doubt.
Elle a pris son serment pour argent comptant.
Neutral— To make an oath even more binding.
Ils ont serré le serment par un contrat.
ArchaicEasily Confused
Visual similarity.
A 'sermon' is a speech by a priest; a 'serment' is a solemn promise.
Le prêtre a fait un sermon sur le serment de fidélité.
Both involve swearing.
'Serment' is an oath; 'jurement' is often a profanity (swear word).
Il a prêté un serment mais a lâché un jurement quand il a trébuché.
Both are solemn promises.
'Vœu' is more personal or religious; 'serment' is more civic or legal.
Elle a fait des vœux de pauvreté, mais a prêté serment au tribunal.
Related to serment.
'Parjure' is the act of breaking the oath or the person who does it.
Le parjure a trahi son serment.
Phonetic similarity.
'Serre-ment' isn't a word, but 'serrement' (tightening) exists.
Un serrement de cœur n'est pas un serment.
Sentence Patterns
C'est un [adjective] serment.
C'est un bon serment.
Il a fait un serment de [noun].
Il a fait un serment de silence.
Il est important de [verb] son serment.
Il est important de garder son serment.
Bien qu'il soit sous serment, il [verb].
Bien qu'il soit sous serment, il hésite.
La prestation de serment a été [adjective].
La prestation de serment a été émouvante.
Nul ne saurait se soustraire à son serment sans [noun].
Nul ne saurait se soustraire à son serment sans déshonneur.
Avant de témoigner, on doit prêter serment.
Avant de témoigner, on doit prêter serment.
Le serment d'Hippocrate est le fondement de la médecine.
Le serment d'Hippocrate est le fondement de la médecine.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Common in specific professional/legal domains.
-
Une serment
→
Un serment
Serment is a masculine noun.
-
Faire un serment (in court)
→
Prêter serment
'Prêter' is the specific verb for official oaths.
-
J'ai écouté un serment à l'église.
→
J'ai écouté un sermon à l'église.
'Sermon' is a religious talk; 'serment' is an oath.
-
Pronouncing the 't'
→
/sɛʁ.mɑ̃/
The final 't' in 'serment' is silent.
- Il a juré un serment. → Il a prêté sermen
Tips
The Cement Rule
Think of a serment as being as permanent as cement. Once you say it, it's set in stone.
Gender Check
Most French words ending in -ment are masculine. Keep this in mind for 'serment'.
Prêter vs Faire
Always use 'prêter' in formal settings to sound like a native speaker.
Revolutionary Roots
Remember the 'Jeu de Paume' to associate the word with French history.
Nasal Focus
Don't let the 'n' escape through your mouth; keep it in your nose.
Legal Context
'Sous serment' is the go-to phrase for any legal drama or news report.
Silent T
When writing, don't forget the 't' even though you don't hear it.
The R Sound
The 'r' in 'serment' is a standard French 'r'—practice it softly.
Context Clues
If you hear 'tribunal' or 'médecin', expect to hear 'serment'.
Drunkard's Vow
Use 'serment d'ivrogne' to describe someone who never keeps their word.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Sermon' in a 'Cement' room. It's a 'Serment' (Oath) that is as solid as cement.
Visual Association
Imagine a person in a suit with one hand on a thick law book and the other hand raised in the air.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'prêter serment' and 'sous serment' in a single paragraph about a court case.
Word Origin
From the Latin 'sacramentum', which referred to a sum of money deposited by parties in a lawsuit or a military oath of allegiance.
Original meaning: A sacred bond or a religious sanction.
Indo-European -> Italic -> Latin -> Romance -> FrenchCultural Context
Be aware that 'serment' implies a level of gravity that shouldn't be used for casual promises.
In the US, presidents swear on a Bible; in France, there is no religious element, reflecting 'Laïcité' (secularism).
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Courtroom
- Prêter serment
- Sous serment
- Faux témoignage
- Dire la vérité
Medicine
- Serment d'Hippocrate
- Éthique médicale
- Déontologie
- Secret médical
History
- Serment du Jeu de Paume
- Révolution française
- Constitution
- Députés
Marriage
- Vœux de mariage
- Serment de fidélité
- Échanger des serments
- Engagement
Politics
- Prestation de serment
- Investiture
- Constitution
- Mandat
Conversation Starters
"Avez-vous déjà dû prêter serment pour votre travail ?"
"Pensez-vous qu'un serment a encore de la valeur aujourd'hui ?"
"Quel est le serment le plus célèbre dans l'histoire de votre pays ?"
"Est-ce qu'on peut pardonner à quelqu'un qui rompt son serment ?"
"Si vous étiez juge, que diriez-vous à quelqu'un qui fait un faux serment ?"
Journal Prompts
Écrivez sur un serment que vous aimeriez faire à vous-même.
Décrivez une scène de film où un personnage trahit son serment.
Pourquoi le serment d'Hippocrate est-il important pour la société ?
Imaginez le serment que feraient deux meilleurs amis à l'âge de 10 ans.
Réfléchissez à la différence entre une promesse et un serment.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is masculine: 'un serment' or 'le serment'.
The correct phrase is 'prêter serment'.
It is the ethical oath taken by doctors when they graduate.
No, that would be too dramatic. Use 'une promesse'.
It means 'under oath', usually in a legal context.
It's an idiom for a promise that won't be kept (a drunkard's promise).
No, the 't' is silent.
The verb is 'jurer' (to swear).
'Parjure' is perjury—the act of lying after taking an oath.
Yes, the 'Serment du Jeu de Paume' was a very famous event in 1789.
Summary
A 'serment' is a high-stakes, formal promise. Example: 'Le témoin doit prêter serment avant de parler' (The witness must take an oath before speaking).
- A solemn oath or vow.
- Used in legal, medical, and historical contexts.
- Commonly paired with 'prêter' (to take).
- Masculine noun, 'un serment'.
The Cement Rule
Think of a serment as being as permanent as cement. Once you say it, it's set in stone.
Gender Check
Most French words ending in -ment are masculine. Keep this in mind for 'serment'.
Prêter vs Faire
Always use 'prêter' in formal settings to sound like a native speaker.
Revolutionary Roots
Remember the 'Jeu de Paume' to associate the word with French history.
Related Content
More family words
à charge
B2Dependent (referring to a family member financially supported).
à deux
A2As a pair, two people; together as two.
à domicile
A2at home
à jamais
A2Forever, for all time.
à la charge de
B2Dependent on; at the expense of.
à la mémoire de
B2In memory of; commemorating someone deceased.
à la place de
B2In lieu of; instead of.
à l'amiable
B2Amicably, by mutual agreement.
à l'égard de
A2With regard to; concerning.
à l'image de
B2In the image of, like (e.g., a child resembles a parent).
