antitussif
/ɑ̃.ti.ty.sif/
The English phrase cough suppressant is antitussif in French.
A cough suppressant is a medicine used to reduce or prevent coughing.
What does it mean word for word?
The word antitussif is composed of the prefix anti- (against) and tussif (derived from the Latin tussis, meaning cough).
Which one should you use?
An antitussif suppresses a cough, whereas an expectorant is a medicine used to help clear mucus from the airways, often by increasing coughing.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun antitussif becomes the feminine adjective antitussive when it modifies a feminine noun, such as une substance antitussive.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables and is pronounced /ɑ̃.ti.ty.sif/.
Did you know?
- While antitussif is the technical medical term, you will more often see the phrase sirop contre la toux on the packaging of medicines in a French pharmacy.
- The term antitussif is derived from the Latin tussis, which is the same root that evolved into the common French word toux.
- In French, a cough suppressant is often categorized simply as a sirop, even if it does not contain a high concentration of sugar.
Examples in context
- Bonjour, je cherche un antitussif pour calmer ma toux.Hello, I'm looking for a cough suppressant to calm my cough.
- Mon médecin m'a prescrit un médicament contre la toux.My doctor prescribed me a cough suppressant.
- Je cherche un antitussif en pharmacie.I am looking for a cough suppressant at the pharmacy.
- Cet antitussif est très efficace.This cough suppressant is very effective.
- Il a besoin d'un antitussif pour sa toux.He needs a cough suppressant for his cough.
Example conversation
At a pharmacy, Chloé asks Gabriel for medicine for his cough.
- GabrielBonjour, j'ai une vilaine toux.Hello, I have a bad cough.
- ChloéVoulez-vous un antitussif, Monsieur ?Do you want a cough suppressant, sir?
- GabrielOui, s'il vous plaît.Yes, please.
- ChloéVoici un excellent antitussif pour vous.Here is an excellent cough suppressant for you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry antitussif, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries antitussif, CC BY-SA 4.0.
