Translating “surety” into French: caution or sûreté? A Common False Friend

⚠️ False friend alert: surety ≠ sûreté

The English term surety is a technical concept in the law of personal guarantees.
It is often mistakenly interpreted as a synonym for security, but it does not refer to a real security interest or a material guarantee.

👉 In fact, surety means:

• caution (an individual or legal entity acting as guarantor)

• personal guarantee

• guarantor

🧾 Correct translation: surety → caution / garant

Surety refers to a person or entity that undertakes to perform a third party’s obligation in case of default.

Examples (EN → FR):

• To stand surety for someone → Se porter caution / se porter garant pour quelqu’un

• The surety will be liable if the debtor defaults → La caution sera tenue responsable en cas de défaut du débiteur

• Bank surety → Caution bancaire

❌ Do not confuse with security = sûreté (réelle)

The French term sûreté, in the sense of a real security interest over assets (mortgage, pledge, lien, etc.), translates as security.

Examples (EN → FR):

• Security interest → Sûreté réelle

• Real security / personal security → Sûreté réelle / personnelle

👉 In short: surety = personal commitment; security = real or proprietary guarantee.

✅ Quick reference

📌 TransLex Tip

Before translating surety, ask yourself:

1. Does the word refer to a person/entity guaranteeing another’s obligation?

2. Are we in a banking, personal guarantee, or performance context?

3. Should we distinguish between caution (personal surety) and sûreté réelle (real security)?

👉 Surety = caution / garant
👉 Security = sûreté réelle