sauvegarde
/sov.ɡaʁd/feminine
The English word 'backup' (in the sense of a copy of a file or record) is sauvegarde in French.
To use this concept as an adjective meaning 'intended as backup', you should use the phrase de sauvegarde.
Meaning: copy of file or record (noun)
Which one should you use?
While sauvegarde refers specifically to a copy of data, the word remplaçant is used when referring to a person or a thing acting as a backup, standby, reserve or substitute in a physical or human sense.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word sauvegarde is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/sov.ɡaʁd/
Did you know?
- In a historical context, sauvegarde could refer to a person or a legal document that provided protection or guarantee for a person's rights.
- The word remplaçant used for human backups is the same word used for a 'substitute teacher' in a school setting.
- While sauvegarde is the standard term, some French IT professionals use the English word 'backup' as a loanword in casual office slang.
Examples in context
- Il serait bon de faire une sauvegarde immédiatement.It would be good to make a backup immediately.This sentence shows how to suggest making a sauvegarde immediately.Tatoeba #13056583 by Rovo, translation #10280067 by terrywallwork
- J'ai adopté le stockage dans le Cloud pour mes données de sauvegarde.I chose Cloud storage for my backup data.This sentence describes using the Cloud for sauvegarde data.Tatoeba #8339535 by marioo, translation #8339536 by marioo
- Il est important de disposer d'une sauvegarde hors-site de toutes les données de votre ordinateur.It's important to have an off-site backup of all the data on your computer.This sentence emphasizes the importance of having an off-site sauvegarde for computer data.Tatoeba #4884928 by sacredceltic, translation #4638807 by patgfisher
- Effectuez une sauvegarde de vos fichiers importantsMake a backup of your important files
- Faites une copie de sécurité régulièrementMake a regular backup
- Fais une copie de secours de ton travailMake a backup copy of your work
- Je vais faire un back-up de mes fichiersI'm going to do a backup of my files
- N'oublie pas de sauvegarder tes données régulièrementDon't forget to back up your data regularly
- J'ai créé une sauvegarde de mes fichiers avant de partir en vacances.I created a backup of my files before going on vacation.
- Fais une copie de secours de ton travail pour éviter les pertes de données.Make a backup copy of your work to prevent data loss.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma is asking Hugo about his computer files.
- HugoEst-ce que tu as fait une sauvegarde ?Did you make a backup?
- EmmaOui, ma sauvegarde est sur le disque dur.Yes, my backup is on the hard drive.
- HugoC'est parfait pour la sécurité de tes fichiers.That is perfect for the security of your files.
- EmmaMerci de me le rappeler, Hugo.Thanks for reminding me, Hugo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “backup” translations and entries sauvegarde, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
