chimiothérapie
/ʃi.mjɔ.te.ʁa.pi/feminine
Chemotherapy in French is chimiothérapie.
The term refers to chemical treatment used to kill or halt cancer.
Meaning: chemical treatment to kill or halt cancer (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The prefix chimio- is derived from the Greek 'khēmeia', meaning chemical.
Which one should you use?
While chimiothérapie is the standard full term, speakers often use the shortened form chimio or the phrase les séances de chimio (chemo sessions) in more relaxed settings.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal medical context, you may see la chimiothérapie antinéoplasique (antineoplastic chemotherapy). In casual or medical-casual conversation, French speakers frequently use the informal abbreviation la chimio.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is feminine, so it is used with the feminine definite article la to form la chimiothérapie.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃi.mjɔ.te.ʁa.pi/. The word has 5 syllables.
Did you know?
- The term chimiothérapie is built from the Greek 'khēmeia' and 'therapeia', making it a linguistic cousin to the word 'alchemy' which shares the same ancient chemical roots.
- While English speakers might say they are 'on' chemotherapy, a French person might say être sous chimiothérapie, which translates to being 'under' the treatment, implying a state of being subject to its effects.
- In French hospitals, the phrase cure de chimio is often used to describe a cycle of treatment, treating the medical process as a 'cure' in the sense of a structured therapeutic period.
Examples in context
- De nombreux patients atteints du cancer perdent leurs cheveux à cause de la chimiothérapie.Many cancer patients lose their hair because of the chemotherapy.This sentence shows how the word chimiothérapie is used regarding hair loss.Tatoeba #755884 by U2FS, translation #744557 by darinmex
- On lui a prescrit du cannabis médical pour réduire les effets secondaires de la chimiothérapie.She has been prescribed medical cannabis to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy.This sentence shows how the word chimiothérapie relates to side effects.Tatoeba #8868847 by lbdx, translation #3540305 by neron
- La chimiothérapie est un traitement couramment utilisé pour combattre le cancerChemotherapy is a commonly used treatment to fight cancer
- Les médecins ont recommandé de suivre une chimiothérapie antinéoplasique pour traiter le cancerThe doctors recommended undergoing antineoplastic chemotherapy to treat cancer
- Mon ami subit actuellement la chimio pour son cancerMy friend is currently undergoing chemo for his/her cancer
- Mes séances de chimio se déroulent tous les vendredis matinMy chemo sessions take place every Friday morning
- Mon cousin a commencé la chimiothérapie pour traiter son lymphomeMy cousin has started chemotherapy to treat his lymphoma
- Mon père a terminé sa chimiothérapie la semaine dernièreMy father finished his chemotherapy last week
- Comment dit-on 'chemotherapy' en français ?How do you say 'chemotherapy' in French?
- Elle commence sa chimiothérapie la semaine prochaine.She starts her chemotherapy next week.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a sick relative at a café.
- GabrielComment va ta tante ?How is your aunt?
- ManonElle est fatiguée par la chimiothérapie.She is tired from the chemotherapy.
- GabrielJe suis vraiment désolé pour elle.I am really sorry for her.
- ManonMerci, elle est très courageuse.Thanks, she is very brave.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chemotherapy” translations and entries chimiothérapie, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chimiothérapie, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
