Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 'ou' like in 'out' instead of 'soup'.
- Forgetting the silent 'r' at the end of the infinitive verb.
Examples by Level
On va sous-traiter le nettoyage des bureaux.
We are going to contract out the office cleaning.
Future proche (near future) for a planned action.
L'entreprise a décidé de sous-traiter la production.
The company decided to subcontract the production.
Passé composé with 'avoir' as the auxiliary verb.
Est-ce que vous sous-traitez la livraison des colis ?
Do you subcontract the package delivery?
Présent tense, question with 'est-ce que'.
Nous ne pouvons pas tout faire, il faut sous-traiter certaines tâches.
We can't do everything, we must contract out certain tasks.
Modal verb 'il faut' (it is necessary to) followed by an infinitive.
Beaucoup de petites entreprises sous-traitent leur comptabilité.
Many small businesses subcontract their accounting.
Présent tense, common practice.
Ils vont sous-traiter le développement du logiciel.
They are going to contract out the software development.
Future proche for a future action.
Je pense qu'il est bon de sous-traiter ce projet.
I think it is good to subcontract this project.
Expression of opinion followed by an infinitive.
Qui va sous-traiter l'installation des nouvelles machines ?
Who is going to subcontract the installation of the new machines?
Future proche, question with 'qui' (who).
Tips
Recognize the root
The French word "sous-traiter" combines "sous" (meaning under or sub-) and "traiter" (meaning to treat or to handle). This helps remember the meaning of subcontracting.
Think of English cognates
While not a direct cognate, think of words like subordinate or subterranean to connect "sous" with below or underneath, which hints at the outsourcing aspect.
Practice with common phrases
Use "sous-traiter" in simple sentences. For example, "Nous sous-traitons la comptabilité" (We outsource the accounting).
Understand the context
This verb is typically used in a business or professional context, referring to tasks, services, or production being done by an external company.
Learn related vocabulary
Also learn "un sous-traitant" (a subcontractor) and "la sous-traitance" (outsourcing or subcontracting, the noun form).
Conjugation practice
As a regular -er verb, "sous-traiter" follows standard conjugation patterns. Practice it in the present tense: je sous-traite, tu sous-traites, il/elle sous-traite, etc.
Use it in negative sentences
Try phrases like "Nous ne sous-traitons pas ce service" (We do not outsource this service) to reinforce usage.
Find examples in French news
Look for articles about business or economics in French news (e.g., Le Monde, Les Échos) to see "sous-traiter" used in its natural habitat, often related to production or services.
Avoid direct translation pitfalls
Do not confuse "sous-traiter" with simply "traiter" (to treat or to handle), as the "sous-" prefix changes the meaning significantly to subcontracting.
Create a sentence about your work/studies
Think of a situation where you or your company might outsource something and write a French sentence using "sous-traiter" to describe it. This makes it more personal and memorable.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThe most common and direct way to say 'to outsource' in French is sous-traiter. It literally means 'to subcontract'.
Yes, sous-traiter can be used for both services and products. You can sous-traiter the manufacturing of a product or the delivery of a service.
While externaliser is also used for outsourcing, it generally refers to moving a company's internal operations to an external provider, often without implying a direct subcontracting relationship. Sous-traiter specifically implies contracting work to a third party.
Sous-traiter means to contract work to an outside company or person. Déléguer means to assign tasks or authority to someone within your own organization or team. So, sous-traiter goes outside, déléguer stays inside.
Sous-traiter is a regular -er verb. For example, in the present tense: je sous-traite, tu sous-traites, il/elle/on sous-traite, nous sous-traitons, vous sous-traitez, ils/elles sous-traitent. The past participle is sous-traité.
Certainly! Nous allons sous-traiter la comptabilité. (We are going to outsource the accounting.) Or: L'entreprise a décidé de sous-traiter une partie de sa production. (The company decided to subcontract a part of its production.)
The noun form is la sous-traitance, which means 'subcontracting' or 'outsourcing'. For example, La sous-traitance est courante dans ce secteur. (Outsourcing is common in this sector.)
Sous-traiter is a standard, neutral term. It's used in both formal business contexts and everyday discussions about work.
While technically possible, sous-traiter is primarily used in a professional or business context. For personal tasks, you'd more commonly say faire appel à une entreprise de nettoyage (call on a cleaning company) or engager quelqu'un pour faire le ménage (hire someone to do the cleaning).
As mentioned, externaliser is a related term but with a slightly different nuance. For general 'giving work to someone else', you might also hear confier le travail à quelqu'un (entrust the work to someone), but sous-traiter specifically implies a formal, contracted arrangement.
Test Yourself 12 questions
Il est parfois nécessaire de ___ pour optimiser les coûts de production.
The sentence discusses optimizing production costs, which often involves outsourcing work. 'Sous-traiter' means to subcontract or outsource.
Beaucoup d'entreprises préfèrent ___ certaines tâches pour se concentrer sur leur cœur de métier.
Companies often outsource tasks (sous-traiter) to focus on their core business.
Pour ce projet, nous allons ___ la traduction à une agence spécialisée.
Outsourcing translation to a specialized agency is a common practice.
La direction a décidé de ___ le service informatique à une entreprise externe.
Outsourcing the IT department to an external company is a form of subcontracting.
En période de forte demande, il est judicieux de ___ une partie du travail pour respecter les délais.
When demand is high, subcontracting can help meet deadlines.
Les petites entreprises peuvent ___ certaines fonctions administratives pour réduire leurs charges fixes.
Small businesses can outsource administrative functions to cut fixed costs.
Quelle est la meilleure définition de 'sous-traiter'?
Sous-traiter signifie déléguer une tâche ou un projet à une entreprise externe.
Dans quel contexte utiliseriez-vous 'sous-traiter'?
Le verbe 'sous-traiter' est spécifiquement lié au domaine professionnel et commercial.
Si une entreprise décide de sous-traiter son service client, qu'est-ce que cela signifie?
Sous-traiter un service signifie en confier la gestion à un prestataire extérieur.
Une entreprise qui sous-traite réalise toutes ses tâches en interne.
Au contraire, sous-traiter implique de confier des tâches à des entités externes.
Sous-traiter peut être une stratégie pour réduire les coûts de production.
Oui, c'est une raison courante pour les entreprises de sous-traiter certaines activités.
Le mot 'sous-traiter' est principalement utilisé dans un contexte personnel et familial.
Non, il est principalement utilisé dans un contexte professionnel et commercial.
/ 12 correct
Perfect score!
Recognize the root
The French word "sous-traiter" combines "sous" (meaning under or sub-) and "traiter" (meaning to treat or to handle). This helps remember the meaning of subcontracting.
Think of English cognates
While not a direct cognate, think of words like subordinate or subterranean to connect "sous" with below or underneath, which hints at the outsourcing aspect.
Practice with common phrases
Use "sous-traiter" in simple sentences. For example, "Nous sous-traitons la comptabilité" (We outsource the accounting).
Understand the context
This verb is typically used in a business or professional context, referring to tasks, services, or production being done by an external company.
Related Content
More business words
à crédit
B1With deferred payment; on credit.
à défaut de
B1In the absence of; for lack of.
à jour
A2Up to date; current.
à la fois...et
B1Both...and.
à la suite de
B1Following; as a result of.
à l'exception de
B1With the exception of, except for.
à l'export
B1For export; relating to exporting.
à l'import
B1For import; relating to importing.
à l'ordre de
B1Payable to; specifies the beneficiary of a payment (e.g., on a check).
à mon avis
A2In my opinion; according to my point of view.
