pommade antibiotique
The English phrase antibiotic ointment is pommade antibiotique in French.
Which one should you use?
While pommade refers specifically to an ointment, if you are looking for a cream-like consistency, you might use crème antibiotique.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun pommade is feminine, so the adjective antibiotique remains in its standard form without adding an extra 'e' for gender agreement, as it already ends in 'e'. To say 'an antibiotic ointment', use the feminine indefinite article une to form une pommade antibiotique.
Did you know?
- The phrase mettre de la pommade can be used figuratively to mean 'to butter someone up' or flatter them to get a favor.
- The word pommade comes from the Italian word pomata which is derived from pomo meaning 'apple'. This is because early versions of these ointments were made from apples.
- The French word pommade is technically a cognate of the English 'pomade', which is most commonly associated with hair styling today.
Examples in context
- Je recherche une pommade antibiotique pour une infection cutanée.I'm looking for an antibiotic ointment for a skin infection.
- Mon médecin m'a prescrit un onguent antibiotique pour traiter une plaie.My doctor prescribed an antibiotic ointment to treat a wound.
- Tu devrais appliquer de la crème antibiotique sur cette piqûre d'insecte.You should apply some antibiotic ointment on that insect bite.
- Appliquez cette pommade antibiotique sur la plaie.Apply this antibiotic ointment to the wound.
- Il me faut une pommade antibiotique pour ma coupure.I need an antibiotic ointment for my cut.
- Est-ce qu'il reste de la pommade antibiotique ?Is there any antibiotic ointment left?
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are in a pharmacy.
- GabrielBonjour, je cherche une pommade antibiotique pour Emma.Hello, I am looking for an antibiotic ointment for Emma.
- EmmaC'est pour une brûlure ou une coupure ?Is it for a burn or a cut?
- GabrielC'est pour une petite écorchure au genou.It is for a small scrape on the knee.
- EmmaTrès bien, je vous montre cette pommade antibiotique.Very well, I will show you this antibiotic ointment.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries antibiotique, pommade, CC BY-SA 4.0.
