faire une prise de sang
To draw blood in French is faire une prise de sang.
The phrase faire une prise de sang is the standard way to describe the medical procedure of drawing blood for testing purposes.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase faire une prise de sang literally translates to 'to do a blood taking'.
Which one should you use?
faire une prise de sang refers specifically to the medical procedure of taking a sample. It should not be confused with faire couler le sang, which means to make someone bleed.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use faire couler le sang if you mean to perform a medical blood test, as this actually means to make someone bleed.
Did you know?
- In French, the word prise is used for many 'connections', such as une prise électrique for an electrical outlet. In a medical context, it describes the 'connection' or 'grasp' made to extract blood.
- The French language uses the same root for 'blood' in both the medical term prise de sang and the expression sang-froid, which means staying calm under pressure.
- The Latin ancestor of sang, the word 'sanguinem', is the direct root of the English medical term 'sanguine', which describes a reddish complexion.
Examples in context
- Le médecin va prélever du sang pour effectuer les analyses nécessaires.The doctor will draw blood to perform the necessary tests.
- Je dois faire une prise de sang demain.I have to have my blood drawn tomorrow.
- L'infirmière va faire une prise de sang.The nurse is going to draw blood.
- Il faut faire une prise de sang pour vérifier.A blood test needs to be done to check.
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are at a doctor's office discussing a medical appointment.
- LéaLucas, je vais faire une prise de sang ici.Lucas, I am going to have a blood test here.
- LucasEst-ce que tu as peur des aiguilles ?Are you afraid of needles?
- LéaUn peu, mais c'est nécessaire.A little, but it is necessary.
- LucasÇa va aller, ne t'inquiète pas.It will be fine, don't worry.
