SIDA
/si.da/masculine
In French, the phrase for AIDS is SIDA.
SIDA is the term used for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. In informal contexts, people may refer to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that causes the condition simply as le virus.
Meaning: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (noun)
Which one should you use?
The expression Le VIH/SIDA is used specifically when referring to the combination of HIV and AIDS. While SIDA refers to the syndrome itself, le virus is an informal way to refer to the underlying HIV infection.
How does it change in a sentence?
SIDA is a masculine noun and is almost always preceded by the definite article le, resulting in le SIDA.
How do you pronounce it?
/si.da/
Did you know?
- In France, the government launched the massive SIDA : on en parle campaign in the 1980s to break the silence surrounding the disease.
- Unlike the English 'AIDS' which is an acronym, the French SIDA is pronounced as a single word, /si.da/, similar to a name.
- Because SIDA is an acronym for syndrome d'immunodéficience acquise, it is treated as a masculine noun and referred to as le SIDA in almost every context.
Examples in context
- Il travaille dans la recherche sur le sida.He is working in AIDS research.This sentence shows how to use SIDA in the context of medical research.Tatoeba #1135354 by sacredceltic, translation #1129963 by ulumills
- Je travaille dans la recherche contre le SIDA.I am engaged in AIDS research.This sentence illustrates the use of SIDA when discussing research aimed at combating the disease.Tatoeba #386208 by shiboy, translation #253208 by CC
- La vitesse de propagation du SIDA est horriblement rapide.The speed of the spread of AIDS is horrifyingly fast.This sentence demonstrates how to describe the speed of the spread of SIDA.Tatoeba #1576401 by sacredceltic, translation #326879 by CM
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a medical documentary.
- LéaCe film parle de l'histoire du SIDA.This film talks about the history of AIDS.
- HugoC'est un sujet très difficile, Léa.It is a very difficult subject, Léa.
- LéaOui, mais il est très instructif.Yes, but it is very informative.
- HugoJe suis d'accord avec toi.I agree with you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “aids” translations and entries SIDA, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
