How to Say “Bruise” in French

Ways to say it

The term is used to describe a medical mark on the skin. When discussing food, different verbs are used to describe the process of causing fruit or vegetables to bruise, such as taler or cotir or the process of the fruit itself gaining bruises, such as se taler, se cotir or s'abîmer.

What does it mean word for word?

The word bleu literally means the color 'blue'. It is used for a bruise because it literally means the color 'blue'.

Which one should you use?

There are several ways to refer to a bruise depending on the context. bleu is the most common, everyday way to refer to a bruise on the body. contusion and hématome are formal ways to say bruise. ecchymose is a highly technical medical term used by professionals to describe the discoloration caused by bleeding under the skin.

Related words

Cause fruit or vegetables to bruise (verb): taler, cotir.

Of fruit or vegetables, to gain bruises (verb): se taler, se cotir, s'abîmer.

How does it change in a sentence?

When referring to a single bruise on the body, use the masculine singular form un bleu. To express having multiple bruises, use the plural form des bleus.

How do you pronounce it?

/blø/