covid
covid is the French word for the disease caused by a coronavirus discovered in 2019.
The term refers to the disease caused by a coronavirus.
Meaning: disease caused by a coronavirus discovered in 2019 (noun)
Which one should you use?
The word can take different genders depending on the context and region. In most contexts, it is used as a masculine noun (le COVID), but it is also common to see it used as a feminine noun (la Covid).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, La COVID and La COVID-19 are primary ways to refer to the disease.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word's gender varies: it is commonly used as a masculine noun (le COVID) in most contexts, but is often used as a feminine noun (la Covid) in many French-speaking regions, particularly in France.
Did you know?
- The choice of gender often depends on which 'hidden' noun a speaker is thinking of: using 'le' implies the speaker is thinking of 'le virus', while 'la' implies 'la maladie' or 'l'épidémie'.
- The choice between le and la for covid can signal a speaker's social or professional background, with medical professionals often leaning toward the feminine form.
- In French, using the feminine la Covid changes the ending of every accompanying adjective, turning a phrase like le Covid violent into la Covid violente.
Examples in context
- Le COVID n’existe pas.The COVID doesn't exist.This sentence uses covid to state a claim about its existence.Tatoeba #10707329 by AutoBot, translation #10707331 by AutoBot
- Je suis vacciné contre le COVID.I am vaccinated against COVID.This sentence uses covid to describe being vaccinated against it.Tatoeba #10703578 by lbdx, translation #10701252 by AlanF_US
- Puis-je te tester pour la Covid-19 ?Can I test you for COVID-19?This sentence uses covid to ask about testing for the virus.Tatoeba #9919207 by Micsmithel, translation #9849498 by NurseMeeks
- As-tu pris tes précautions contre le COVID avant de sortir?Did you take precautions against COVID before going out?
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are discussing health news at a cafe.
- ChloéTu as entendu parler du nouveau variant du COVID ?Have you heard about the new COVID variant?
- GabrielNon, est-ce que c'est grave, Chloé ?No, is it serious, Chloé?
- ChloéJe ne sais pas, je vais vérifier les infos.I don't know, I'm going to check the news.
- GabrielD'accord, tiens-moi au courant, s'il te plaît.Okay, please keep me updated.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
