PRIVILÉGIER
From the press
“Valérie Plante a voulu être rassurante, mercredi matin, au sujet de possibles fusions de postes de quartier à Montréal. La mairesse a soutenu que son administration privilégiait la police de proximité…”
Commentary
The big mistake that translators make when they encounter the verb privilégier is to think it has something to do with privilege. Its core meaning is to prefer, but there are plenty of other solutions you should keep up your sleeve, depending on the context. Our examples illustrate the multiple ways it can be translated into English.
From our archives
Privilégier can mean to prefer.
une option pour les consommateurs qui privilégient les aliments sains et naturels/an option for consumers who prefer healthy, natural foods
Ils privilégient la collaboration/They value cooperation
Privilégier can refer to a wish or desire.
Les Parties privilégient la mise en place d’un programme d’échange/The Parties wish to set up an exchange program
Elles privilégient un vêtement qui donne une allure sportive/They want clothes that give them a sporty look
L’équipe privilégie l’utilisation de matériel écoresponsable/The team makes a point of being as eco-friendly as possible
Le gouvernement privilégie la voie des négociations/The government strives to negotiate whenever possible
Le gouvernement privilégie un soutien financier direct aux employeurs/The government would rather give employers direct financial support
Privilégier can convey the notion of being better or ideal.
Ces lentilles sont à privilégier pour les activités extérieures/These lenses are perfect for outdoor activities
L’auberge privilégie le contact avec le majestueux Saint-Laurent/The inn is just the place to enjoy spectacular river vistas
Votre direction de santé publique demeure un interlocuteur à privilégier pour toute question ou préoccupation/Your public health office is still the best place to take any questions or concerns
Miser sur des formations au cœur des entreprises est une des voies à privilégier/One of the best ways to help people find work is with on-the-job training
la solution à privilégier à long terme/the best long-term solution
Il s’est avéré la solution à privilégier/It was found to be the more efficient solution.
Privilégier can refer to a choice.
Certaines mères ne privilégient pas l’allaitement de leur enfant/Some mothers choose not to breastfeed their children
Les fabricants qui veulent atteindre la traçabilité absolue privilégient le marquage direct indélébile/Manufacturers turn to direct part marking to ensure complete lifecycle traceability
Privilégier can refer to a recommendation.
les solutions qu’ils privilégient pour y remédier/what solutions they suggest for solving the problem
Pour de meilleurs résultats, toujours privilégier les assouplissants liquides/For optimal benefits, liquid fabric softeners are always recommended
French often combines privilégier with a noun.
Les Parties privilégient la mise en place de mesures de soutien financier/The Parties will introduce financial support measures
Il privilégie l’étude des processus de socialisation/It studies socialization processes.
Privilégier often makes a good translation of focus.
Ce sont surtout les objets provenant du territoire québécois qu’on y privilégie/…objects from all over North America, although the focus is primarily on Quebec.
Il privilégie des vins sans artifices/His focus is on uncontrived wines.
Privilégier can translate the notion of looking for.
Si certains consommateurs privilégient le rapport qualité-prix, d’autres…
Although some shoppers are looking for the best-priced products, others…
Privilégier often works as a translation for support.
Il privilégie les projets de recherche et de développement de la faculté/It supports research and development projects undertaken within the faculty
Privilégier can mean to include.
En matière de prévention, les orientations gouvernementales privilégient deux objectifs/Government policy includes two prevention objectives.
Privilégier can mean to stress or emphasize.
Ces orientations privilégient le développement hydroélectrique/The strategy emphasizes hydroelectric energy.
Privilégier is a way to express the notion of operate.
Cette politique requiert que les ministères privilégient l’unilinguisme français/This policy requires government ministries to operate exclusively in French
In this example, privilégier is used to mean enter into or sign a contract.
Les grandes entreprises privilégient des ententes avec le milieu de la recherche universitaire/Big companies are entering into agreements with the university research community
Privilégier can be used to state a goal.
Nous privilégions des communications transparentes avec les citoyens/We aim for transparent communication with the public
Privilégier is sometimes rendered by a very simple English verb.
Nos professionnels privilégient des approches innovantes/Our professionals take an innovative approach
À partir de 1934, les navigateurs privilégient le chenal nord du fleuve/By 1934 navigators were using the northern channel of the river
Elle privilégie depuis longtemps les plus récentes technologies d’énergie propre/We have a long history of embracing newer, cleaner energy technologies
On privilégie une approche globale/We follow a holistic approach
Various other examples to inspire you
une vision à long terme qui privilégie la responsabilité sociale/a long-term view rooted in social responsibility
les paysages et événements que l’artiste privilégie/events and landscapes that speak to the artist
l’intervenant qui privilégie une intervention autoritaire/caseworkers who practice authoritarian intervention
Elle privilégie le patient/We place the interests of patients first
Je privilégie des personnes qui sont prêtes à partager leur savoir-faire/I gravitate toward people who are eager to share their know-how
La population de la région privilégie les modes de déplacements actifs et collectifs/The region’s residents are avid users of public and active transportation
Il privilégie une formation complète des étudiants/It believes in a comprehensive educational experience
On privilégie le noir, le gris, le beige et le rouge/You can’t go wrong with blacks, greys, beiges, and reds
les gens qui privilégient leur vie personnelle/people who are concerned with their personal lives
Selon tes réponses au questionnaire, tu es une personne qui privilégie l’action/According to your questionnaire answers, you are action-oriented
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