Legal Translation of “security” in French: sécurité, sûreté or valeurs mobilières?

⚠️ A polymorphic false friend: security ≠ only sécurité

The word security may seem simple to translate — one naturally thinks of sécurité.
But in legal, financial, and contractual contexts, it carries very different meanings, requiring specific translations.

👉 Depending on the context, security may refer to:

• a sûreté (collateral/guarantee in security law),

• a guarantee (contractual obligation),

• a financial instrument (securities: shares, bonds, etc.),

• or, more rarely, safety/protection.

🛡️ In Security Law: security = garantie / sûreté

In contracts guaranteeing the performance of an obligation (loan, credit, surety), security translates as sûreté or garantie.

Examples:

• to provide a security interest → constituer une sûreté

• the borrower gave security for the loan → l’emprunteur a fourni une garantie pour le prêt

• security agreement → contrat de sûreté

👉 This is the correct rendering in civil or commercial law.

💰 In Financial Law: securities = titres financiers / valeurs mobilières

In the plural, securities refers to tradable financial instruments (shares, bonds, derivatives…), equivalent to valeurs mobilières in French.

Examples:

• equity securities → titres de capital

• debt securities → titres de créance

• bearer securities → titres au porteur

• registered securities → titres nominatifs

👉 In the U.S., the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is the counterpart of France’s Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF).

🧯 In General Usage: security = sécurité

In non-legal texts (or those relating to the protection of people, property, or systems), security does indeed mean sécurité.

Examples:

• airport security → sécurité aéroportuaire

• cybersecurity → cybersécurité

• security risk → risque sécuritaire

✅ In Summary

📌 TransLex’s Advice

Before translating security or securities, ask yourself three questions:

1. Is it about physical safety, security law, or financial markets?

2. Does the term refer to a contractual guarantee, a financial instrument, or a safety threat?

3. Is the translation consistent with French law (especially in security interests or financial markets)?

👉 Security may mean sécurité, sûreté, garantie, or titre, depending on context.
👉 Securities = valeurs mobilières / titres financiers.