valables

Valables is the plural form of the French adjective valable, meaning valid, acceptable, or legitimate. It is used to describe things that are legally effective or officially approved, such as documents, permits, offers, or terms. For example, a ticket or a contract can be described as valables when it is current and enforceable.

Etymology and grammar: valable derives from Latin valēre, “to be strong or worth.” In French, the adjective agrees with the noun it modifies; valables is used for plural nouns of any gender (e.g., documents valables, offres valables). The related verb is valider, meaning to validate or authorize, while the noun validité denotes validity or genuineness.

Usage and contexts: In administrative and legal contexts, valables is common in phrases such as valables jusqu’au [date] (valid until [date]) and valable pour [période ou usage] (valid for [period or use]). It often contrasts with terms like en vigueur (in force) and valable au titre de la présente prescription. While valable and valide can be used interchangeably in some casual contexts, valable emphasizes acceptance and legal sufficiency, whereas valide can carry a sense of soundness or worth.

Other uses: Outside of French, valables is rarely used as a term with independent meaning. It may appear as a surname, a brand name, or place name in some contexts, but there is no widely recognized international subject by that name. In most references, valables functions as the plural form of valable within French-language texts.