hypothèque
/i.pɔ.tɛk/feminine
The English phrase mortgage is translated into French as hypothèque.
hypothèque is a noun used to describe a special form of secured loan. To express the action of borrowing against a property, use the verb hypothéquer.
Meaning: special form of secured loan (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
hypothèque is a feminine noun. The related verb form is hypothéquer.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables and is pronounced /i.pɔ.tɛk/.
Did you know?
- The expression hypothéquer son avenir means to jeopardize one's future, using the word for mortgage as a metaphor for risking something valuable.
- In French legal contexts, the term hypothèque is strictly used for real estate, whereas a loan secured by movable objects like a car would use a different term, gage.
- The word hypothèque traces its lineage back to the Ancient Greek word hupothḗkē, which referred to a 'pledge' or 'deposit' used as security for a debt.
Examples in context
- Il y a des mères et des pères qui resteront éveillés dans leur lit après que les enfants se seront endormis, en se demandant comment ils paieront l'hypothèque ou les factures du médecin, ou comment ils pourront mettre assez d'argent de côté pour les études universitaires de leur enfant.There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for their child's college education.This sentence shows how hypothèque is used when discussing financial pressures like paying for a mortgage or bills.Tatoeba #428441 by nh2, translation #347771 by CM
- J'ai contracté un prêt hypothécaire pour acheter ma maison.I took out a mortgage loan to buy my house.
- Le crédit immobilier que j'ai obtenu était très avantageux.The real estate loan I obtained was very advantageous.
- L'hypothèque sur cette maison est très élevée.The mortgage on this house is very high.
- Nous devons signer l'hypothèque demain.We have to sign the mortgage tomorrow.
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are talking about buying a house.
- LucasEst-ce que tu as demandé une hypothèque ?Did you apply for a mortgage?
- LéaOui, la banque a accepté ma demande.Yes, the bank accepted my request.
- LucasC'est super, Lucas est content pour toi.That's great, Lucas is happy for you.
- LéaMerci, maintenant je peux acheter la maison.Thanks, now I can buy the house.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mortgage” translations and entries hypothèque, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hypothèque, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
