French word

autosuffisant

Pronunciation

IPA/otosyfizɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adjectiveself-sufficient

Example

Ils vivent autosuffisants dans leur ferme.

They live self-sufficiently on their farm.

Illustration for autosuffisant (self-sufficient)

More examples

Après les travaux, ils sont autosuffisants en électricité.

After the work, they are self-sufficient in electricity.

Core concept

A closed-loop household whose resources cover its ongoing needs.

Common phrases

  • être autosuffisant financièrement

    be financially self-sufficient

  • personne autosuffisante

    self-sufficient person

Similar words

autonome: Able to govern its own actions without being directed or assisted from outside.
indépendant: Able to rely on personal ability rather than other people or organizations.
débrouillard: Skilled at finding practical solutions in limited or difficult circumstances.

Definition in French

Qui dispose des ressources nécessaires pour fonctionner seul et qui n'a pas besoin d'appui extérieur.

Word origin

The word joins auto- 'self' to suffisant, the present participle of suffire, whose Latin source is sufficere, 'to suffice'.

Usage tips

  • When applied to a person, autosuffisant may be positive or negative depending on context; for a system, it is generally descriptive.

Other meanings

  • self-reliantadjective
  • self-supportingadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • autosuffisanceself-sufficiencynoun

Word lists with this word