VIH
VIH is the French term for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).
VIH is a noun used to refer to the human immunodeficiency virus. The complete name for this virus is Le Virus de l'Immunodéficience Humaine.
Meaning: human immunodeficiency virus (noun)
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between VIH and SIDA. While English speakers sometimes use HIV and AIDS interchangeably, in French, VIH refers specifically to the virus, whereas SIDA refers to the disease or syndrome.
How does it change in a sentence?
The acronym VIH is a masculine noun. When used in a sentence, it is almost always preceded by the definite article le.
Did you know?
- While an English speaker might say they are 'HIV positive', a French speaker will often say they are séropositif. This term specifically describes someone whose blood tests show the presence of antibodies.
- While the English acronym HIV starts with the name of the virus, the French acronym VIH places the 'Virus' at the very beginning of the sequence.
- Unlike English, where 'HIV positive' is used as an adjective, French often uses the phrase être porteur du VIH, which literally means 'to be a carrier of the HIV'.
Examples in context
- Je suis atteint du VIH.I have HIV.This sentence is useful for saying that someone is living with the VIH.Tatoeba #10707746 by AutoBot, translation #10696105 by tokzyk
- Le VIH est un rétrovirus.HIV is a retrovirus.This sentence is useful for defining VIH as a retrovirus.Tatoeba #13187014 by Rovo, translation #12606656 by rul
- Il s'est fait tester pour le VIH.He got tested for HIV.This sentence is useful for describing the act of getting tested for the VIH.Tatoeba #1903101 by sacredceltic, translation #1879689 by Spamster
- Mon cousin est atteint du VIH.My cousin is living with HIV.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are discussing public health at school.
- LéaEst-ce que le VIH se transmet facilement ?Is HIV transmitted easily?
- GabrielNon, mais il faut être prudent.No, but you have to be careful.
- LéaIl existe des traitements contre le VIH maintenant.There are treatments for HIV now.
- GabrielOui, la médecine a beaucoup progressé.Yes, medicine has progressed a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hiv” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
