sûr
/syʁ/
The English word 'safe' is translated into French as sûr. Wiktionary also lists sans danger and safe.
Meaning: free from risk (adj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| sûr | /syʁ/ (Europe) /sʏʁ/ (Canada) |
| sans danger | |
| safe |
The word sûr is used to describe someone or something that is free from risk. It can also be used to mean 'certain' or 'sure' depending on the context.
Which one should you use?
While sûr can imply reliability or certainty, sans danger is used specifically to describe something that poses no physical threat or risk, such as being harmless.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective sûr must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. It becomes sûre for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/syʁ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful with the accent: English speakers may confuse sûr (safe/certain) with sur (on/over) if they do not pay attention to the circumflex accent.
Did you know?
- The word danger originally comes from the Latin word for 'lord' or 'master'. In its earliest form, it referred to the power or authority a master had over someone, which could be unpredictable or risky.
- When describing a safe or secure building, French often uses sécurisé rather than sûr. This specifically implies that security measures like alarms or locks have been installed.
- In French, the phrase en sécurité is often used where English speakers would say 'safe'. While sûr describes a quality, en sécurité describes the actual state of being protected from harm.
Examples in context
- Tu es en sûreté.You're quite safe.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone is in a state of safety using sûr.Tatoeba #7244863 by Micsmithel, translation #2218340 by CK
- Ce n'est pas sûr.It's not safe.This sentence shows how to negate the word sûr to say something is not safe.Tatoeba #2190186 by sacredceltic, translation #2249129 by CK
- Tu es en lieu sûr.You are at a safe place.This sentence illustrates the use of sûr when referring to a safe place.Tatoeba #468903 by sacredceltic, translation #5870602 by peterius
- Je me sens en sécuritéI feel safe
- Cet endroit est bien protégéThis place is well-protected
- Je suis en sécurité iciI am safe here
- Reste ici, tu seras à l'abriStay here, you'll be safe
- Est-ce que ce quartier est en sécurité ?Is this neighborhood safe?
- 74 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are hiking in the mountains.
- NathanEst-ce que le chemin est sûr ?Is the path safe?
- EmmaOui, Nathan, c'est tout à fait sûr.Yes, Nathan, it is completely safe.
- NathanJe ne suis pas sûr de moi.I am not sure about it.
- EmmaNe t'inquiète pas, on est en sécurité.Don't worry, we are safe.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “safe” translations and entries sûr, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries danger, sans, sûr, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
