Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| eau de Javel | /o d(ə) ʒa.vɛl/ | feminine |
| javel | /ʒa.vɛl/ | feminine |
In French, the term refers to the chemical substance used for cleaning or whitening. While the noun itself is feminine, you may encounter different forms depending on the level of formality.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase eau de Javel literally means 'water of Javel', which refers to the Javel district in Paris where the substance was first produced.
Which one should you use?
eau de Javel is the full, standard name for the chemical, whereas javel is a shortened form used to refer to it.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun javel is feminine and is often used without eau de in colloquial speech.
How do you pronounce it?
/o d(ə) ʒa.vɛl/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes try to use a cognate for the verb 'to bleach', but in French, the chemical is eau de Javel or javel, while the verb blanchir is used for the action of whitening or bleaching surfaces and fabrics.
Did you know?
- The word eau in eau de Javel shares a common ancestor with the Old English word ēa, which means a river or watercourse.
- The noun javel is feminine, meaning any adjectives used to describe it must also be in the feminine form.
Examples in context
- Ça sent comme la javel.It smells like bleach.This sentence is useful for describing a specific scent using javel.Tatoeba #5458137 by Aiji, translation #4016927 by CK
- Le bébé boit de l’eau de javel.The baby drinks bleach.This sentence is useful for showing the use of the full form eau de Javel.Tatoeba #10687038 by AutoBot, translation #10687035 by AutoBot
- L'eau de Javel est une substance caustique.Bleach is a caustic substance.This sentence is useful for describing the properties of eau de Javel.Tatoeba #11037583 by Aiji, translation #10613197 by AlanF_US
- Je dois acheter de l'eau de Javel pour nettoyer les vêtements.I need to buy bleach to clean the clothes.
- Tu peux m'apporter de la javel pour nettoyer la salle de bain ?Can you bring me bleach to clean the bathroom?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are cleaning their kitchen.
- ManonGabriel, as-tu vu l'eau de Javel ?Gabriel, have you seen the bleach?
- GabrielOui, elle est sous l'évier.Yes, it is under the sink.
- ManonMerci, je vais désinfecter la table.Thanks, I am going to disinfect the table.
- GabrielD'accord, je m'occupe du sol.Okay, I will take care of the floor.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bleach” translations and entries eau de Javel, javel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, eau, eau de Javel, javel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
