preuve
/pʁœv/feminine
The English phrase 'evidence' can be translated into French as preuve.
preuve refers to facts or observations presented in support of an assertion. In certain formal contexts, the word argument can be used to convey the sense of evidence. In legal or testimonial situations, témoignage can be used for evidence presented through witness statements.
Meaning: facts or observations presented in support of an assertion (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 'evidence' in English can refer to suggestive information, the French preuve often carries a stronger connotation of definitive 'proof' in legal or logical contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form preuves is commonly used when referring to multiple pieces of evidence or a body of evidence.
How do you pronounce it?
/pʁœv/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use the French word évidence to mean 'evidence'. In French, évidence actually means something that is obvious or self-evident.
Did you know?
- The word preuve is also used in the world of printing to describe a 'galley proof', which is a trial print of a page used to check for errors before the final run.
- The expression faire ses preuves means 'to prove oneself' or 'to show what one is capable of' in a professional or personal setting.
- In French, if you want to say someone is 'proven' or 'tested', you use the word éprouvé, which shares the same linguistic root as preuve.
Examples in context
- Où est la preuve ?Where is the evidence?Tatoeba #7410778 by lbdx, translation #5412619 by CK
- Tu as des preuves ?Do you have any evidence?Tatoeba #7778022 by Blabla, translation #3824869 by CK
- Je n'ai aucune preuve.I don't have any evidence.Tatoeba #2421333 by sacredceltic, translation #2276034 by CK
- Voici une preuve essentielleHere is crucial evidence
- Ce témoignage est une preuve incontestableThis testimony is undeniable evidence
- Tu n'as aucune preuve concrèteYou have no concrete evidence
- J'ai quelques indices qui corroborent mon idéeI have a few pieces of evidence that support my idea
- 92 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are discussing a mystery in a book.
- ManonLe détective a enfin trouvé une preuve.The detective finally found a piece of evidence.
- GabrielC'est quoi comme preuve, Manon ?What kind of evidence is it, Manon?
- ManonC'est une lettre cachée dans le bureau.It is a letter hidden in the office.
- GabrielCette preuve change tout pour l'histoire.This evidence changes everything for the story.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “evidence” translations and entries preuve, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
