estimer la société
to estimer a société
Use it when you need to discuss the professional valuation or appraisal of a business.
In 15 Seconds
- To calculate the financial worth of a business entity.
- Commonly used in mergers, acquisitions, and investment discussions.
- Professional and precise language for business contexts.
Meaning
It refers to the process of determining the financial or strategic value of a business entity. It's like putting a price tag on a company's assets, reputation, and future potential.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a boardroom meeting
Nous devons faire appel à un expert pour estimer la société.
We need to call an expert to value the company.
Texting a business partner
À ton avis, on peut estimer la société à combien ?
In your opinion, how much can we value the company at?
Discussing a startup with a friend
Ils ont réussi à estimer la société à un million d'euros !
They managed to value the company at one million euros!
Cultural Background
In France, the valuation of a company is a highly regulated process involving 'experts-comptables'. While Americans might focus on 'market cap', the French often look at 'patrimoine' (heritage/assets). The phrase reflects the French emphasis on rigorous, formal business structures.
Société vs. Entreprise
While they both mean 'company', 'société' sounds more like a legal entity, while 'entreprise' sounds more like the work/activity itself.
Don't use it for 'Society'
If you want to talk about human society (like 'Society is changing'), just use 'la société' without 'estimer'. Adding 'estimer' almost always triggers the business meaning.
In 15 Seconds
- To calculate the financial worth of a business entity.
- Commonly used in mergers, acquisitions, and investment discussions.
- Professional and precise language for business contexts.
What It Means
Imagine you have a lemonade stand. You want to know if it's worth five euros or fifty. That's what estimer la société is all about. It's the process of putting a price tag on a business. You look at the bank account. You look at the desks. You even look at the brand name. It’s not just guessing. It’s a calculated appraisal. In French, société is a very common word for "company." So, you’re literally "estimating the company."
How To Use It
You’ll mostly use this in a professional setting. Use it as a verb phrase. You can say, "Je dois estimer la société." It sounds smart. It sounds like you have a briefcase and a plan. You can also use it when discussing the stock market. If a company is undervalued, you might say the market didn't estimer la société correctly. It’s a versatile tool for your business vocabulary. Just remember to conjugate estimer like a regular -er verb. It's easy-peasy.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend is selling their startup. Use it during a high-stakes meeting with investors. It’s perfect for when you’re reading the financial news. If you’re at a dinner party and someone mentions a merger, drop this phrase. You’ll look like you understand the intricacies of French commerce. It’s also useful for legal discussions about inheritance or divorce settlements involving a family business. It makes you sound like a savvy professional.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this if you just like a company's products. If you love Apple, don't say you estime la société unless you're talking about their stock price. For "liking" a brand, use j'aime cette marque. Also, don't use it for people. To value a person, you just say j'estime beaucoup Pierre. Adding la société makes it strictly about the business entity. Don't confuse it with "society" as in "humanity" unless you're writing a very dry sociology paper.
Cultural Background
France takes its business law very seriously. The role of the commissaire aux comptes is legendary. They are the gatekeepers of value. In French culture, discussing personal money can be a bit taboo. But discussing the "value of a company" is perfectly acceptable. It’s a way to talk about wealth without being gauche. It reflects the French love for logic, math, and structured evaluation. It's about being precise and analytical.
Common Variations
You might hear évaluer l'entreprise. That’s a bit more common in casual office talk. Valoriser la boîte is what the cool startup kids say. Boîte is slang for company. If you want to sound very formal, use procéder à l'estimation. Each variation changes the "vibe" but keeps the core meaning. Stick to estimer la société for a safe, professional middle ground. It works in almost any business context.
Usage Notes
This is a professional collocation. Use it in business, law, or finance contexts. In casual conversation, it may sound overly technical unless you are specifically discussing money or investments.
Société vs. Entreprise
While they both mean 'company', 'société' sounds more like a legal entity, while 'entreprise' sounds more like the work/activity itself.
Don't use it for 'Society'
If you want to talk about human society (like 'Society is changing'), just use 'la société' without 'estimer'. Adding 'estimer' almost always triggers the business meaning.
The 'Boîte' Secret
In casual French, everyone says 'ma boîte' (my box) for 'my company'. Using 'estimer la société' makes you sound like the boss or the accountant!
Examples
6Nous devons faire appel à un expert pour estimer la société.
We need to call an expert to value the company.
This is the most standard professional usage.
À ton avis, on peut estimer la société à combien ?
In your opinion, how much can we value the company at?
A slightly more casual way to ask for a valuation.
Ils ont réussi à estimer la société à un million d'euros !
They managed to value the company at one million euros!
Expressing excitement about a high valuation.
Il est crucial d'estimer la société familiale de manière équitable.
It is crucial to value the family company fairly.
Used in a legal/serious context regarding assets.
Si on compte les dettes, on peut estimer la société à un croissant entamé.
If we count the debts, we can value the company at a half-eaten croissant.
Using the formal term to make a joke about low value.
Il est difficile d'estimer la société qu'il a bâtie avec tant de passion.
It is difficult to value the company he built with so much passion.
Here, it touches on both financial and sentimental value.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct verb form to complete the sentence.
L'investisseur souhaite ___ la société avant de signer le contrat.
We use the infinitive 'estimer' after the verb 'souhaite'.
Complete the phrase with the correct noun.
Il est temps d'estimer la ___ pour préparer la vente.
'Société' is the noun meaning company/business in this context.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of Business Valuation Phrases
Used with friends or startup peers.
Estimer la boîte
Standard office talk.
Évaluer l'entreprise
Legal or high-level financial contexts.
Estimer la société
When to use 'Estimer la société'
Selling a business
Preparing for an exit.
Mergers
Combining two entities.
Investment
Pitching to a VC.
Financial News
Reading about the CAC 40.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot usually. It specifically refers to financial valuation. To say you like or respect a company, use j'apprécie cette entreprise.
Yes, but it sounds very formal. For a small shop, you might say évaluer le commerce instead.
No, you can also use entreprise, firme, or the informal boîte.
They are very similar. Estimer often implies a specific price or value, while évaluer can be a broader assessment of performance.
Yes! If you're discussing the company's growth or market value, it sounds very professional.
Absolutely. Analysts use it to discuss if a stock is fairly priced: Le marché a mal estimé la société.
No, that sounds like you're buying them! For people, estimer means 'to have high regard for': J'estime beaucoup mon patron.
Yes, especially in the 'Économie' section of newspapers like Le Monde or Les Échos.
You would say the company is sous-estimée. For example: La société est sous-estimée par les investisseurs.
There isn't a direct opposite, but you could say déprécier la société if the value is going down.
Related Phrases
Évaluer l'entreprise
La valorisation boursière
Faire un audit
Prendre des parts dans la société
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