Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| chirurgie esthétique | /ʃi.ʁyʁ.ʒi ɛs.te.tik/ | feminine |
| chirurgie cosmétique | feminine |
The term is used to describe medical procedures performed to improve a person's physical appearance. In professional or technical contexts, you may also encounter the term chirurgie plastique, which can be used interchangeably with chirurgie esthétique or the more technical intervention de médecine esthétique, which refers to both invasive and non-invasive medical procedures performed for aesthetic purposes.
Which one should you use?
While you may see chirurgie cosmétique, this is often considered an anglicism and is used less frequently than chirurgie esthétique. In casual, colloquial speech, some people use the shortened form chirurgie esthé.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun chirurgie is feminine, which is why the definite article la is used in the phrase la chirurgie esthétique.
Did you know?
- The word cosmétique shares a root with the Greek word kósmos, which means 'world' or 'universe'. In Ancient Greece, the idea of 'ordering' the universe was linked to 'adorning' the body.
- While chirurgie esthétique is the standard term, French speakers often use the phrase refaire son nez ('to redo one's nose') as a common euphemism for a rhinoplasty.
- In French, chirurgie plastique can refer to both beauty-enhancing procedures and reconstructive surgery used to repair trauma or birth defects.
Examples in context
- La chirurgie esthétique n'est pas prise en charge par la plupart des contrats d'assurance.Cosmetic surgery is not covered by most insurance plans.This sentence shows how insurance coverage might relate to chirurgie esthétique.Tatoeba #1406924 by sacredceltic, translation #546773 by darinmex
- Sois sans crainte ! La chirurgie esthétique est de nos jours bien meilleure qu'au temps du Docteur Frankenstein.Don't worry, present day cosmetic surgery is much better than what it used to be in Doctor Frankenstein's days.This sentence uses chirurgie esthétique to compare modern medicine to the fictional era of Dr. Frankenstein.Tatoeba #1819355 by sacredceltic, translation #1819069 by al_ex_an_der
- Avant de prendre des décisions sur la chirurgie esthétique, il est essentiel de consulter un chirurgien plastique expérimenté.Before making decisions about cosmetic surgery, it is essential to consult an experienced plastic surgeon.
- J'ai entendu dire qu'elle a subi une nouvelle opération esthétique.I heard that she underwent another cosmetic surgery.
- Elle envisage la chirurgie esthétique pour son nez.She is considering cosmetic surgery for her nose.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are discussing a celebrity's new look.
- EmmaTu penses qu'elle a eu recours à la chirurgie esthétique ?Do you think she had cosmetic surgery?
- NathanC'est possible, son visage a beaucoup changé.It's possible, her face has changed a lot.
- EmmaMoi, je ne pourrais jamais faire de chirurgie esthétique.I could never have cosmetic surgery.
- NathanJe suis d'accord avec toi, Emma.I agree with you, Emma.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cosmetic surgery” translations and entries chirurgie esthétique, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chirurgie, cosmétique, esthétique, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
