How to Say “Tort” in French

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délit civil
masculine
The English word tort is translated into French as délit civil.
A délit civil is a wrongful act that is considered non-criminal and unrelated to a contract, which results in an injury. When discussing the harm or prejudice caused by such an act in a formal context, you may use the term le préjudice.
Meaning: wrongful act, regarded as non-criminal and unrelated to a contract, which causes an injury (noun)

Is it said differently in some regions?

In Quebec, the term le préjudice corporel is commonly used within legal contexts to refer to physical harm or personal injury.

Did you know?

  • The English word 'tort' actually comes from the French word tort, meaning 'wrong'. While English uses 'tort' for a specific legal category, the original French word is used in everyday speech to say someone is 'in the wrong' via the phrase avoir tort.
  • In French law, there is a specific distinction between a délit as an intentional act and a quasi-délit as an act caused by negligence. English typically groups both of these categories under the single umbrella of 'torts'.
  • French handles the concept of being wrong by using the verb 'to have' in the phrase avoir tort. This suggests that 'wrongness' is a possession rather than a state of being.

Examples in context

  • Il a subi un grand tort dans cette affaire.
    He suffered great harm in this matter.
  • Les actions de l'entreprise ont causé un préjudice considérable.
    The company's actions caused significant harm.
  • Le défendeur est responsable du dommage causé à la victime.
    The defendant is liable for the damage caused to the victim.
  • Il a commis un délit civil.
    He committed a civil tort.
  • C'est un cas de délit civil.
    It is a case of a civil tort.
  • Le juge a analysé le délit civil.
    The judge analyzed the civil tort.

Example conversation

Emma and Hugo are discussing a legal case in a cafe.

  1. Emma

    Est-ce un crime ou un délit civil ?
    Is it a crime or a civil tort?
  2. Hugo

    C'est uniquement un délit civil.
    It is only a civil tort.
  3. Emma

    Hugo, peux-tu m'aider avec ce dossier ?
    Hugo, can you help me with this file?
  4. Hugo

    Oui, je vais l'étudier pour toi.
    Yes, I will study it for you.

Sources

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Cassandra Morgan
Cassandra MorganHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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