soumis
/su.mi/
The English word submissive is translated into French as soumis.
The word is used to describe someone who is meekly obedient or passive. It can function as an adjective or as a noun to describe a person who submits to a partner.
Meaning: meekly obedient or passive (adj)
Which one should you use?
When used as an adjective, soumis describes a quality. However, when you use it as a noun, such as un soumis, it refers to a person who is submissive.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes depending on gender and number. The masculine singular and masculine plural form is soumis. The feminine singular form is soumise, and the feminine plural form is soumises.
How do you pronounce it?
/su.mi/
Did you know?
- While soumis describes the state of being submissive, French speakers use the phrase faire le dos rond meaning 'to make a round back' to describe the act of being passive to avoid conflict.
- In a legal context, the term soumission refers not to a person's character, but to the formal act of submitting a bid or a proposal in a business tender.
- The word soumis comes from the verb soumettre, which literally means 'to put under'. This reflects the physical imagery of placing someone beneath another's power.
Examples in context
- Elle a une personnalité soumise.She has a submissive personality.This sentence uses the adjective soumis to describe a personality.Tatoeba #2321741 by sacredceltic, translation #2321283 by Hybrid
- C'est un soumis.He's a submissive.This sentence uses the noun form of soumis to refer to a person.Tatoeba #11226845 by LdjuherTaqvaylit, translation #11767922 by LdjuherTaqvaylit
- Il est un employé soumis et dévouéHe is a submissive and dedicated employee
- Il est toujours d'accord avec tout le monde, pas de caractèreHe always agrees with everyone, lacking character
- Sarah sait comment faire preuve de soumission sans perdre sa personnalité.Sarah knows how to be submissive without losing her personality.
- Il est devenu très soumis à son patron.He has become very submissive to his boss.
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are discussing a character in a movie.
- HugoEst-ce que le personnage principal est soumis ?Is the main character submissive?
- EmmaOui, il est totalement soumis aux ordres de l'armée.Yes, he is totally submissive to the army's orders.
- HugoC'est un peu triste à regarder.It is a bit sad to watch.
- EmmaJe suis d'accord avec toi, Hugo.I agree with you, Hugo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “submissive” translations and entries soumis, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
