Translating “solvable”: soluble or solvable? A False Friend Between Chemistry and Finance

⚠️ Financial false friend: solvable in English ≠ solvable in French

The English word solvable is often mistranslated as solvable in French, which can cause serious misunderstandings in finance, law, or business.

👉 In reality, solvable means:

• soluble (in chemistry or physics)

• resolvable / capable of being solved (in abstract, mathematical, or problem-solving contexts)

🔬 In science and mathematics: solvable = résoluble / soluble

Examples (EN → FR):

• A solvable equation → Une équation résoluble

• This problem is solvable → Ce problème est résoluble / a une solution

• ❌ The salt is solvable in water → (incorrect!)
  ✅ The salt is soluble in water → Le sel est soluble dans l’eau

👉 English makes a clear distinction between solvable and soluble.

💰 In finance: French solvable = solvent / creditworthy

In French, solvable refers to the ability to pay one’s debts or to financial soundness.
It is never translated as solvable in English.

Examples (FR → EN):

• Une entreprise solvable → A solvent company / A creditworthy company (banking context)

• Il n’est pas solvable → He is not solvent / He is unable to pay his debts

• La solvabilité d’un débiteur → The solvency of a debtor

✅ Quick Reference

📌 TransLex Tip

Before translating solvable, ask yourself:

1. Are we talking about a problem to be solved, a scientific context, or a financial situation?

2. Is the usage abstract, scientific, or economic?

3. Does the term refer to ability to pay debts (→ solvent) or simply something that can be resolved (→ résoluble)?

👉 Solvable = résoluble / soluble / having a solution
👉 Solvent = solvable (in the financial sense)
👉 Never translate solvable as solvable… unless you’re writing in French.