contaminé
The English word "contaminated" is translated into French as contaminé.
The term is used to describe something that is adulterated or impure.
Meaning: adulterated, impure (adj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, the term souillé(e) is used to mean either "contaminated" or "soiled".
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, the form must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use the masculine singular contaminé for masculine singular nouns like riz (rice). Use the feminine singular contaminée for feminine singular nouns like eau (water). For masculine plural nouns, use contaminés and for feminine plural nouns, use contaminées.
Did you know?
- In French, the word souillé can be used to describe something as 'defiled' or 'profaned', giving it a much more intense, almost religious or ritualistic weight than the clinical 'contaminated'.
- While English speakers use 'contaminated' for pollution, French speakers predominantly associate contaminé with infectious diseases and biological agents.
- When describing someone 'contaminated' by a scandal or moral corruption, the French prefer the word corrompu over contaminé.
Examples in context
- Ce riz est contaminé par l'arsenic.This rice is contaminated by arsenic.The sentence is useful for showing how to describe rice that is contaminé by arsenic.Tatoeba #11609798 by Rovo, translation #2772468 by Hybrid
- L'eau de ce village est contaminée à l'arsenic.The water in this village is contaminated by arsenic.The sentence demonstrates how to use the feminine form contaminée when describing water (eau).Tatoeba #12728940 by lbdx, translation #2772469 by Hybrid
- Ce que nous finîmes par apprendre, c'est que la viande avait été contaminée.What we ended up learning was that the meat had been contaminated.The sentence shows the use of contaminé to describe meat that has undergone contamination.Tatoeba #958432 by sacredceltic, translation #954583 by CK
- La nourriture est contaminée par des bactéries.The food is contaminated by bacteria.
- Je suis affligée par la nouvelle de la pollution de nos rivières.I am affected by the news of the contamination of our rivers.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are discussing a health warning about local water.
- ManonLucas, ne bois pas l'eau du robinet.Lucas, don't drink the tap water.
- LucasPourquoi ? Qu'est-ce qui se passe ?Why? What's happening?
- ManonLe puits est contaminé par des bactéries.The well is contaminated by bacteria.
- LucasMerci de m'avoir prévenu, Manon.Thanks for warning me, Manon.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
