Guide on How to Say “Hives” in French

Bienvenue! If you’re curious to know how to say “hives” in French, you’ve come to the right place. Hives, also known as urticaria, refers to a skin condition characterized by itchy red welts. In this guide, we’ll cover the formal and informal ways of expressing “hives” in French, emphasizing standard language usage while noting any regional variations if necessary. Let’s dive in!

Formal Ways to Say “Hives” in French

When discussing hives in a formal setting, here are a few terms commonly used:

• Les urticaires – This is a widely accepted term for hives in French. It is the plural form of “urticaire,” and is more commonly used in medical or scientific contexts.
• Les plaques rouges – Although it directly translates to “red patches,” it is often used to describe hives, particularly when referring to larger, inflamed areas of the skin. This expression is more common when discussing symptoms as opposed to the medical condition.

Informal Ways to Say “Hives” in French

If you’re in a more casual setting or conversing with friends, consider using these informal terms:

• Les démangeaisons – While it literally means “itchiness,” this term is commonly used to refer to hives in colloquial French, especially when discussing the itching sensation associated with the condition.
• Les boutons d’allergie – This translates to “allergy pimples” and is frequently used informally to describe hives caused by an allergic reaction. It’s worth noting that this term is less medically precise and more commonly heard in everyday conversations.

Examples and Tips

Let’s explore a few examples to solidify our understanding of how to use these terms:

Example 1:

(Formal) Mon ami a développé les urticaires en raison d’une réaction allergique.

(Informal) Mon ami a chopé les démangeaisons suite à une allergie.

(Translation) My friend developed hives due to an allergic reaction.

Example 2:

(Formal) Elle souffre d’une éruption cutanée avec des plaques rouges.

(Informal) Elle a des boutons d’allergie sur la peau.

(Translation) She has a skin rash with hives.

Remember these additional tips:

• When describing hives or symptoms related to them, it’s helpful to use adjectives such as “rouges” (red), “démangeantes” (itchy), or “inflammées” (inflamed) to provide more clarity.
• If discussing hives caused by a specific allergen, mention it after the phrase; for example, “urticaires dues à une allergie alimentaire” (hives due to a food allergy).
• Always consider the context, whether formal or informal, to choose the appropriate term for “hives” in French.

Avec ces astuces, vous serez prêt(e) à communiquer efficacement sur les urticaires en français (With these tips, you’ll be ready to communicate effectively about hives in French). Bonne chance!