lèvres gercées
The English phrase "chapped lips" is translated into French as lèvres gercées.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of lèvres (lips) and the past participle gercées (chapped/cracked).
Which one should you use?
The singular form is lèvre gercée, used if referring to only one lip.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because lèvres is a feminine plural noun, the adjective gercées must take the feminine plural ending -ées. Additionally, when describing a physical state or condition of a body part in French, you use the verb avoir (to have) rather than être (to be).
Did you know?
- The verb behind gercées is gercer, which is versatile enough to describe a person's voice cracking or the way old paint begins to peel and crack on a wall.
- The sensation of tightness before your lips actually crack is described by the word tiraillement. This focuses on the feeling of skin being pulled rather than the visual appearance of the crack.
- The word lèvre is used beyond human anatomy to describe the 'lip' of a container or the petal of a flower.
Examples in context
- J'ai les lèvres gercées chaque hiver.I get chapped lips every winter.This sentence is useful for describing the seasonal occurrence of the condition using lèvres gercées.Tatoeba #5833082 by Aiji, translation #2976292 by CK
- Elle a les lèvres gercées à cause du froid.She has chapped lips because of the cold.
- Évite d'avoir les lèvres gercées avec ce baume.Avoid having chapped lips with this balm.
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are preparing for a walk in the snow.
- LéaGabriel, tu as les lèvres gercées.Gabriel, you have chapped lips.
- GabrielC'est vrai, elles me font mal.It's true, they hurt.
- LéaPrends ce baume pour tes lèvres gercées.Take this balm for your chapped lips.
- GabrielMerci, c'est très gentil de ta part.Thanks, that is very kind of you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
