The present invention relates to a process for preparing N-substituted (3-dihalomethylpyrazol-4-yl)carboxamides of the formula (I) in which R1 is optionally substituted phenyl or C3-C7-cycloalkyl, R1a is hydrogen or fluorine, or R1a together with R1 is optionally substituted C3-C5-alkanediyl or C5-C7-cycloalkanediyl, R2 is C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl or C1-C4-alkoxy-C1-C2-alkyl, X is F or Cl and n is 0, 1, 2 or 3; which comprises A) providing a compound of the formula (II) in which X is F or Cl, Y is Cl or Br and R2 has one of the meanings given above and B) reacting a compound of the formula (II) with carbon monoxide and a compound of the formula (III) in which R1, R1a and n have one of the meanings given above; in the presence of a palladium catalyst; to intermediates used for the preparation according to the process according to the invention, and also to processes for their preparation.