sondage
/sɔ̃.daʒ/masculine
The English word survey can be translated into French as sondage or enquête.
Meaning: an examination of the opinions, information of a group (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| sondage | /sɔ̃.daʒ/ | masculine |
| enquête | /ɑ̃.kɛt/ /ɑ̃.kɛːt/ |
feminine |
A survey is an examination of the opinions or information of a group. In French, you can use sondage to refer specifically to opinion polls or statistical sampling of public opinion. If the survey implies a more thorough, systematic or investigative process, such as a sociological study or a police investigation, use enquête. To say 'to conduct a survey', use the phrases mener un sondage or réaliser un sondage.
Which one should you use?
sondage is the term used for opinion polls and statistical sampling, whereas enquête is used when the process is a more detailed study or an investigation.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb sonder is used to describe the act of probing or surveying people's opinions.
How do you pronounce it?
/sɔ̃.daʒ/
Did you know?
- In a medical context, a doctor might use the verb sonder to mean 'inserting a probe' or a catheter into a patient.
- The verb sonder used in sondage is the same word used by sailors to describe 'sounding' the depth of the water with a lead line.
- A professional who conducts an enquête for the government or a sociological body is often called an enquêteur, which is also the term for a detective.
Examples in context
- Nous menons une enquête.We're conducting a survey.This sentence shows how to use enquête to say 'conducting a survey'.Tatoeba #7811616 by Aiji, translation #2544494 by CK
- Il y a un nouveau sondage.There is a new survey.This sentence shows how to use sondage to say 'a new survey'.Tatoeba #8285671 by Aiji, translation #1238470 by CM
- Il a participé à un sondage en ligne.He participated in an online survey.This sentence shows how to use sondage to say 'an online survey'.Tatoeba #10760280 by lbdx, translation #1883516 by Amastan
- Nous avons réalisé une enquête sur les habitudes de consommation.We conducted a survey on consumption habits.
- Nous avons lancé un sondage en ligne pour recueillir des avis sur notre nouveau produit.We launched an online survey to gather feedback on our new product.
- Un institut de sondage a réalisé une enquête d'opinion avant les élections.A polling institute conducted an opinion poll before the elections.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are discussing a marketing project at work.
- LéaAs-tu vu les résultats du dernier sondage ?Have you seen the results of the latest survey?
- GabrielOui, ce sondage est très intéressant pour nous.Yes, this survey is very interesting for us.
- LéaJe dois préparer un rapport sur ce sondage.I have to prepare a report on this survey.
- GabrielBonne chance avec ton travail, Léa.Good luck with your work, Léa.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “survey” translations and entries sondage, enquête, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
