baume
/bom/
Balm in French is baume.
baume names a soothing, fragrant ointment for the skin and like the English word it can be used figuratively for anything that brings comfort.
Which one should you use?
To say what the comfort is for, French often uses pour, for example a balm for the soul.
How does it change in a sentence?
baume is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
It is pronounced /bom/, a single syllable with a closed o sound.
Did you know?
- While baume means 'balm', the French expression mettre du baume sur une plaie can be used figuratively to describe the act of softening a harsh truth or comforting someone after a failure.
- In French, the phrase baume au cœur is used to describe something that warms the heart or brings great relief, often used when receiving good news after a period of stress.
- In historical French pharmacy, baume was often distinguished from pommade by its higher concentration of resins and aromatic oils.
Examples in context
- La pâle lueur du crépuscule vespéral est un baume à mes yeux envahis de lassitude.The pale glow of the vesperal twilight is a balm for my weary eyes.In this sentence baume is used figuratively for something that soothes tired eyes.Tatoeba #3001047 by nimfeo, translation #11612747 by tieguy
- J'ai utilisé un baume apaisant pour soulager mes douleurs musculaires.I used a soothing balm to relieve my muscle pain.
- Le dermatologue m'a prescrit une pommade pour traiter l'eczéma.The dermatologist prescribed an ointment to treat eczema.
- Les guérisseurs ancestraux utilisaient souvent un onguent à base de plantes pour cicatriser les blessures.Ancestral healers often used a herbal-based balm to heal wounds.
- Tu devrais essayer ce baume pour hydrater tes lèvres.You should try this balm to moisturize your lips.
- J'utilise une crème hydratante en tant que substitut d'un baume à lèvres.I use a moisturizing cream as a substitute for lip balm.
- Ce baume est très efficace contre les brûlures.This balm is very effective against burns.
- Elle applique un baume sur sa peau sèche.She applies a balm to her dry skin.
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are in a pharmacy.
- EmmaQuel baume me conseillez-vous pour les mains ?Which balm do you recommend for hands?
- GabrielCe baume à l'aloe vera est très efficace.This aloe vera balm is very effective.
- EmmaEst-ce qu'il sent fort ?Does it have a strong scent?
- GabrielNon, c'est un produit sans parfum.No, it is an unscented product.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry baume, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
