gel douche
/ʒɛl duʃ/
The English phrase body wash is translated into French as gel douche.
gel douche is used to refer to body wash.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase gel douche literally translates to 'shower gel'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun gel is masculine, so you use the masculine article le or un when referring to the body wash.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʒɛl duʃ/
Did you know?
- French pharmacists often recommend gels douche surgras for dry skin. The term surgras literally means 'over-fat', describing a product with an excess of lipids to protect the skin.
- The word gel comes from the Latin gelū, meaning 'cold'. This is the same root that gave English the word 'gelatine'.
- Many French brands market gels douche as soin lavant. This shifts the meaning from a simple 'cleansing gel' to a 'washing treatment', reflecting a cultural emphasis on skincare over simple hygiene.
Examples in context
- J'ai besoin d'acheter un gel douche.I need to buy a body wash.
- As-tu du savon pour le corps ?Do you have any body wash?
- J'adore ce savon liquide, il sent tellement bon !I love this body wash, it smells so good!
- Où puis-je trouver un gel lavant de qualité ?Where can I find good-quality body wash?
- Je cherche un gel douche parfumé.I am looking for a scented body wash.
- Il n'y a plus de gel douche.There is no more body wash left.
- Tu aimes ce gel douche ?Do you like this body wash?
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are at the supermarket.
- LéaGabriel, quel gel douche est-ce que tu préfères ?Gabriel, which body wash do you prefer?
- GabrielJe préfère celui qui sent le citron.I prefer the one that smells like lemon.
- LéaD'accord, prenons ce gel douche alors.Okay, let's take this body wash then.
- GabrielParfait, allons à la caisse.Perfect, let's go to the checkout.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gel douche, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries douche, gel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
