fiable
/fjabl/
The English phrase 'reliable' can be translated into French using fiable or sûr.
Meaning: fit to be relied on (adj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| fiable | /fjabl/ |
| sûr | /syʁ/ (Europe) /sʏʁ/ (Canada) |
In French, there are different ways to express that something or someone is reliable depending on the context of the reliability.
Which one should you use?
While both mean reliable, fiable is typically used for systems, data or methods, whereas sûr is more common for people or physical safety.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective fiable takes an 's' in its plural form to agree with plural nouns. The form sûr must agree in gender with the noun it describes, becoming sûre for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/fjabl/
Did you know?
- In casual French, if someone is completely unreliable, they might be called peu fiable, but a more colorful term for an unreliable person is une girouette, meaning 'a weather vane'.
- In French, the word sûr is a homonym of sur, which means 'on'. To distinguish 'reliable' or 'sure' from 'on', French uses a circumflex accent on the 'u'.
- The word sûr shares a root with the English word 'secure'. Both descend from the Latin sēcūrus, which literally meant 'without care' or 'free from anxiety'.
Examples in context
- Je pense que c'est fiable.I think it's reliable.This sentence is useful for expressing an opinion about something being reliable using fiable.Tatoeba #5662092 by Aiji, translation #3821212 by CK
- C'est une démarche fiable.That's a reliable approach.This sentence is useful for describing a reliable approach using fiable.Tatoeba #7644777 by tras, translation #7585457 by AlanF_US
- Je pense que Tom est fiable.I think Tom is reliable.This sentence is useful for expressing an opinion about a person being reliable using fiable.Tatoeba #5302834 by Aiji, translation #3183975 by CK
- La société XYZ est fiable et offre des produits de qualité.The XYZ company is reliable and offers quality products.
- Les statistiques présentées par l'expert sont crédibles.The statistics presented by the expert are reliable.
- 40 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel is asking Chloé for a recommendation for a mechanic.
- GabrielConnais-tu un garage fiable ?Do you know a reliable garage?
- ChloéOui, celui près de chez moi est très fiable.Yes, the one near my house is very reliable.
- GabrielC'est super, merci Chloé !That's great, thanks Chloé!
- ChloéDe rien, Gabriel.You're welcome, Gabriel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “reliable” translations and entries fiable, sûr, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fiable, sûr, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
