corrosif
/kɔ.ʁɔ.zif/
Corrosive in French is corrosif, the adjective for something that destroys the texture or substance of a material.
corrosif describes chemicals and substances that eat away at other materials, just like corrosive in English.
Meaning: destroying texture or substance of a body (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
corrosif is the masculine singular. The feminine form is corrosive, spelled the same as the English word and the plural adds an s, as in corrosives.
How do you pronounce it?
corrosif is pronounced /kɔ.ʁɔ.zif/, in three syllables, with a French r and a clear f at the end.
What mistakes should you avoid?
With a feminine noun, change the ending to corrosive. Keeping corrosif with a feminine noun is a common slip.
Did you know?
- The French word corrosif comes from the Latin corrōdō, which literally means 'to gnaw away'. This links the chemical process of corrosion to the physical action of a rodent chewing through a material.
- In French, corrosif is often used metaphorically to describe a person's wit or a critical remark, such as un humour corrosif. This implies a sarcasm that 'eats away' at the target's confidence or ego.
- In French law and safety labeling, the symbol for corrosif is strictly regulated by the GHS system. You will see this word paired with a pictogram of liquids dripping onto a hand and a metal bar to warn of skin burns.
Examples in context
- Une substance corrosive est une substance qui dégrade ou détruit par réaction chimique des substances avec lesquelles elle entre en contact.A corrosive substance is a substance that, through chemical reaction, degrades or destroys substances with which it comes in contact.substance is feminine, so the adjective takes the feminine form corrosive.
- Les effets corrosifsThe corrosive effects
- Oh, c'est peut-être à cause de l'acide corrosif qui s'est renversé dessus.Oh, maybe it's because of the corrosive acid that spilled on it.
- Ce produit est très corrosif pour le métal.This product is very corrosive to metal.
- Attention, ce liquide est un agent corrosif.Watch out, this liquid is a corrosive agent.
Example conversation
In a science laboratory, a student is handling chemicals.
- LéaEst-ce que ce produit est corrosif ?Is this product corrosive?
- GabrielOui, il est extrêmement corrosif.Yes, it is extremely corrosive.
- LéaJe vais porter des gants pour la manipuler.I will wear gloves to handle it.
- GabrielC'est une très bonne idée, Léa.That is a very good idea, Léa.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “corrosive” translations and entries corrosif, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries corrosif, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
