tisane
/ti.zan/feminine
The English phrase "herbal tea" is translated into French as tisane. Wiktionary also lists infusion.
Meaning: beverage made by infusion of herbs (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tisane | /ti.zan/ | feminine |
| infusion | /ɛ̃.fy.zjɔ̃/ | feminine |
The term refers to a beverage made by the infusion of herbs.
Which one should you use?
Use tisane to refer specifically to herbal tea. While tisane is the common way to name the drink, infusion is a more formal or technical term used for the process or the resulting liquid.
How does it change in a sentence?
tisane is a feminine noun. Therefore, it takes the feminine indefinite article une or the feminine definite article la.
How do you pronounce it?
/ti.zan/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid translating the phrase literally as thé aux herbes. tisane is the correct, natural term for herbal tea in French.
Did you know?
- The word tisane comes from the Ancient Greek word ptisánē, which referred to a gruel made of peeled barley.
- In France, you can buy tisanes at a pharmacy as official medicinal products with precise therapeutic dosages.
- While 'herbal tea' sounds like a casual afternoon drink in English, telling a French person you want a tisane may sound like you are treating a minor illness.
Examples in context
- J'aime la tisane.I like herbal tea.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for tisane.Tatoeba #10711025 by xhlulu, translation #5859772 by CK
- Cette tisane est très chaude.This herbal tea is very hot.This sentence is useful for describing the temperature of a tisane.
- J'aimerais une infusion de plantes médicinales, s'il vous plaîtI would like an herbal tea, please
- Veux-tu boire une tisane ?Do you want to drink herbal tea?
- J'adore le thé aux plantes, c'est si apaisant !I love herbal tea, it's so soothing!
- Je vais préparer une tisane à la menthe.I am going to prepare a mint herbal tea.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are relaxing in the living room in the evening.
- EmmaTu veux une tisane, Lucas ?Do you want an herbal tea, Lucas?
- LucasOui, une tisane serait parfaite, merci.Yes, an herbal tea would be perfect, thank you.
- EmmaQuelle saveur préfères-tu ?Which flavor do you prefer?
- LucasLa tisane à la camomille, s'il te plaît.The chamomile herbal tea, please.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “herbal tea” translations and entries tisane, infusion, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries infusion, tisane, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
