en infériorité numérique
The English phrase "outnumbered" is translated into French as en infériorité numérique.
The phrase is used to describe a situation where one group has fewer people than an opposing group.
What does it mean word for word?
The expression en infériorité numérique literally translates to "in numerical inferiority".
Which one should you use?
You can also use Être en minorité to mean "to be in the minority". For more formal contexts, you may use Être surpassé(e) en nombre, which means "to be surpassed in number".
Did you know?
- In French, the word numérique can refer to both a physical count of people and to digital technology. While an English speaker might use 'numerical' for math and 'digital' for computers, a Frenchman might use numérique for both.
- French uses the noun infériorité to describe being outnumbered, whereas English uses the verb 'outnumbered'. This reflects a tendency in French to describe the state of a situation rather than the action.
- The phrase en infériorité numérique follows a strict Latinate logic. The word infériorité comes from the Latin 'inferus', meaning 'lower', which is why the phrase feels much more formal and clinical than the English 'outnumbered'.
Examples in context
- L'armée française était souvent en infériorité numérique pendant la guerre.The French army was often outnumbered during the war.
- Notre équipe a été surpassée en nombre, mais nous n'avons jamais abandonné.Our team was outnumbered, but we never gave up.
- Pendant le débat, les partisans de l'idée étaient en nette minorité.During the debate, the supporters of the idea were clearly outnumbered.
- Les francophones étaient souvent en infériorité numérale lors des négociations.Francophones were often outnumbered during the negotiations.
- Les soldats étaient en infériorité numérique.The soldiers were outnumbered.
- Nous sommes en infériorité numérique dans ce débat.We are outnumbered in this debate.
- Ils ne pouvaient pas gagner car ils étaient en infériorité numérique.They could not win because they were outnumbered.
Example conversation
Hugo and Lea are discussing a strategy for a team game.
- HugoOn est beaucoup trop peu nombreux pour attaquer.We are far too few to attack.
- LéaC'est vrai, on serait en infériorité numérique dès le début.That's true, we would be outnumbered from the start.
- HugoOn devrait attendre des renforts alors.We should wait for reinforcements then.
- LéaJe suis d'accord, Hugo.I agree, Hugo.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries en, numérique, CC BY-SA 4.0.
