cœliaque
/se.ljak/
The English phrase coeliac is translated into French as cœliaque.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective cœliaque is invariable, which means it does not change its form to match gender or number.
How do you pronounce it?
/se.ljak/
Did you know?
- The Greek root koilia meaning 'belly' is also the ancestor of the English word 'colic'.
- While cœliaque describes the condition, French people commonly use the phrase intolérant au gluten in casual conversation to be more easily understood.
- Because the ligature œ is not a primary key on French keyboards, many French speakers type coeliaque in emails and texts.
Examples in context
- Je suis atteint(e) de la maladie cœliaqueI have coeliac disease.
- Est-ce que ce plat contient du gluten?Does this dish contain gluten?
- Est-ce que ce plat est adapté pour un cœliaque ?Is this dish suitable for a coeliac?
- Elle suit un régime strict car elle est cœliaque.She follows a strict diet because she is coeliac.
Example conversation
At a restaurant, Gabriel is asking Manon about her dietary needs.
- ManonGabriel, est-ce que tu peux manger du pain ?Gabriel, can you eat bread?
- GabrielNon, je ne peux pas, je suis cœliaque.No, I can't, I am coeliac.
- ManonOh, je ne savais pas que tu étais cœliaque.Oh, I didn't know you were coeliac.
- GabrielC'est un peu compliqué quand on mange au restaurant.It is a bit complicated when eating at a restaurant.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cœliaque, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cœliaque, CC BY-SA 4.0.
