J’espère que vous êtes en forme ! Moi, je pète le feu ! (That’s a fun way to say “I’m full of beans!”) And I want to share some great French health vocabulary with you today.
When learning a language, it’s always the little quirks and everyday expressions that make the biggest difference. If you’re looking to improve your French health vocabulary, understanding key phrases can help you navigate conversations with friends, pharmacists and doctors in France. In this guide, we’ll explore essential French health vocabulary to ensure you’re prepared for any situation.
Avoiding Confusion with French Health Terms
Some French expressions can be misleading if you take them at face value. For example:
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J’ai une angine – This means “I have tonsillitis” or a bad sore throat. It has nothing to do with angina, the heart condition!
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J’ai mal au cœur – You might think this means “I have a heartache,” but in fact, it means “I feel sick” or “I feel nauseous.” So if someone tells you this, no need for a defibrillator, just grab a sick bucket!
Feeling Under the Weather? Express It Like the French!
If you’re feeling a bit off, you might hear or use:
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Être à côté de ses pompes – To feel out of sorts or not quite yourself.
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À mon avis, je couve la grippe – “I think I’m coming down with the flu.”
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La grippe d’homme – A humorous way to refer to ‘man flu’ (we all know someone who claims to be at death’s door with a minor cold!).
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Se plaindre pour un pet de travers – This translates literally to “to complain about a sideways fart” and is used to describe someone who makes a big deal out of minor ailments!
Buying Paracetamol in France
If you ever need paracetamol in France, you won’t find it in supermarkets as easily as in the UK. Instead, head to la pharmacie and look for brands like Doliprane, Efferalgan or Dafalgan. To save a few pennies (quelques sous), you can ask for le générique (de Doliprane), which is the generic version.
Expanding your French health vocabulary will make your interactions in France much smoother, whether you’re asking for medicine or describing how you feel.
Bonus Tip: Describing Symptoms Clearly
If you need to visit a doctor or pharmacist in France, being precise about your symptoms can be incredibly helpful. Instead of just saying je suis malade (I am ill), try using phrases like j’ai de la fièvre (I have a fever) or j’ai une toux sèche (I have a dry cough). The more specific you are, the easier it will be to get the right treatment.
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Je vous souhaite un super week-end en pleine forme !
Frannie x
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