société sœur
The English phrase 'sister company' is translated into French as société sœur.
A company that is owned by the same holding company or parent organization as another company. When using this phrase, the adjective is placed after the noun, as seen in une société sœur.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation where société means 'company' and sœur means 'sister'.
Which one should you use?
compagnie affiliée can also be used as a formal alternative meaning 'sister company'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Canada, the term entreprise sœur can be used to mean 'sister company'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, adjectives must agree with the gender and number of the noun, such as in nos sociétés sœurs. To make the phrase plural, both the noun société and the adjective sœur must take an 's'. In the phrase la compagnie affiliée, the adjective is placed after the noun.
Did you know?
- If you are describing a 'parent company' in French, you do not use the word for 'father', but rather société mère, meaning 'mother company'.
- The alternative word compagnie once described people who shared a meal together. It comes from the Latin root for 'bread' and 'companion'.
- The word société describes both a small business and a global civilization. A single word covers everything from a local shop to the entirety of human society.
Examples in context
- Cette entreprise est une société sœur de la nôtre.This company is a sister company to ours.
- Cette société sœur est très performante.This sister company is very high-performing.
- Nous devons contacter notre société sœur.We need to contact our sister company.
- Il travaille pour une société sœur du groupe.He works for a sister company of the group.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a new partnership.
- ChloéQui va gérer ce projet, Lucas ?Who is going to manage this project, Lucas?
- LucasC'est une société sœur qui s'en occupe.A sister company is taking care of it.
- ChloéEst-ce qu'ils sont basés à Paris ?Are they based in Paris?
- LucasOui, Chloé, ils sont juste à côté.Yes, Chloé, they are right next door.
