suffire
The verb suffire expresses the idea that something is adequate, enough or all that is needed. It is an intransitive verb and is most often used with il as an impersonal subject, although personal subjects are also possible. It is commonly followed by an infinitive, a noun, or à when specifying what something is sufficient for.
Core meanings
1. To be enough, to suffice
This is the most common use. The subject can be impersonal (il) or concrete (cela, ça, a noun).
Examples:
• Il suffit de marcher cinq minutes pour y arriver.
It is enough to walk five minutes to get there.
• Cela suffit.
That is enough.
• Une seule dose suffit pour la journée.
A single dose is enough for the day.
• Ça suffit maintenant.
That is enough now.
2. To be sufficient for something (suffire à)
The verb can take à to show what something covers or satisfies.
Examples:
• Cette somme suffit à payer le loyer.
This amount is enough to pay the rent.
• Sa réponse a suffi à convaincre le jury.
His answer was enough to convince the panel.
• Cela suffit à expliquer le problème.
That is enough to explain the problem.
3. To be all that is required (il suffit de + infinitif)
This construction communicates that the action in the infinitive alone is required.
Examples:
• Il suffit de cliquer ici.
You only need to click here.
• Il suffit de lui demander.
You only need to ask her.
• Il suffit de lire attentivement.
You only need to read carefully.
Common structures
Il suffit de + infinitive
Used for instructions or minimal requirements.
• Il suffit de suivre les indications.
You only need to follow the directions.
Il suffit que + subjunctive
Used when the verb that follows refers to a possible or hypothetical action.
• Il suffit que tu sois là.
It is enough that you are here.
• Il suffit qu’il arrive cinq minutes en avance.
It is enough if he arrives five minutes early.
Ça suffit
Used to stop or call out behaviour, often in a firmer or irritated tone.
• Ça suffit, les enfants.
That is enough, children.
• Ça suffit pour aujourd’hui.
That is enough for today.
Ça me suffit / ça lui suffit
Used with indirect objects to express personal adequacy.
• Une petite pause me suffit.
A short break is enough for me.
• Un café lui suffit le matin.
One coffee is enough for him in the morning.
Tenses and key forms
• Present: je suffis, tu suffis, il suffit, nous suffisons, vous suffisez, ils suffisent
• Past participle: suffi
• Imparfait: je suffisais
• Futur: je suffirai
• Conditionnel: je suffirais
• Subjonctif: que je suffise
Examples in context:
• Ça a suffi.
That was enough.
• Si cela suffisait, nous serions heureux.
If that were enough, we would be happy.
• Quand cela suffira, nous arrêterons.
When that is enough, we will stop.
Typical synonyms and alternatives
The best alternative depends on the structure.
General adequacy
• être assez
Example: C’est assez pour tout le monde.
It is enough for everyone.
• être suffisant
More formal and often used adjectivally.
Example: Le budget est suffisant.
The budget is sufficient.
To be all that is required
• il faut seulement
Example: Il faut seulement attendre un peu.
You only need to wait a little.
• se contenter de (when the focus is on settling for something)
Example: Je me contente de peu.
I am satisfied with little.
To meet a requirement
• répondre à
Example: Ce document répond à nos critères.
This document meets our criteria.
Frequent pitfalls for learners
- English uses “is enough to do” with an infinitive directly; French uses pour or à depending on the structure.
• C’est assez pour comprendre.
• Cela suffit à comprendre.
Do not say cela suffit pour comprendre de, which is incorrect. - Il suffit de must take an infinitive, never a conjugated verb.
Incorrect: Il suffit de tu viens.
Correct: Il suffit que tu viennes (subjunctive).
Correct: Il suffit de venir. - Suffire is usually intransitive. Do not use it with a direct object.
Extended examples
• Il suffirait d’un peu de patience pour résoudre ce problème.
A bit of patience would be enough to solve this problem.
• Deux heures ne suffisent pas pour tout finir.
Two hours are not enough to finish everything.
• Cette preuve a suffi à établir sa culpabilité.
This piece of evidence was enough to establish his guilt.
• Ça suffit, je n’en peux plus.
That is enough, I cannot take it anymore.
• Un simple regard a suffi pour qu’elle comprenne.
A simple look was enough for her to understand.
• Il suffit que la lumière s’éteigne pour qu’il s’endorme.
The light only needs to go off for him to fall asleep.
Summary
• Suffire means to be enough or sufficient.
• Common patterns include il suffit de + infinitive, il suffit que + subjunctive, and suffire à + noun or verb.
• It is mostly intransitive and often used impersonally with il.
• Alternatives include être assez, être suffisant, il faut seulement, répondre à, and se contenter de.
• Learners should focus on using de with infinitives and que + subjunctive for clauses, and avoid giving the verb a direct object.
