j'ai un appareil dentaire
The phrase "I have braces" in French is j'ai un appareil dentaire.
You use this phrase to indicate that you are currently wearing a dental appliance to straighten your teeth. The term appareil dentaire is the French way to say "braces".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase un appareil dentaire literally translates to "a dental appliance".
How does it change in a sentence?
While the singular un appareil dentaire is common, you can also use the plural des appareils dentaires to refer to the braces.
Did you know?
- If you want to sound more colloquial, you might hear a French person refer to their braces as mes bagues, which literally translates to 'my rings'.
- In French, the word appareil is a linguistic multitasker used for 'braces', 'camera' appareil photo and 'household appliance' appareil électroménager.
- The word appareil shares its roots with the English word 'apparatus', both stemming from the idea of preparing or setting something in order.
Examples in context
- J'ai pris rendez-vous chez l'orthodontiste, car j'ai des appareils dentaires.I made an appointment with the orthodontist because I have braces.
- Je suis allé(e) à l'école avec mes nouvelles bagues.I went to school with my new braces.
- Je porte un appareil dentaire.I am wearing braces.
- J'ai un appareil dentaire depuis six mois.I have had braces for six months.
- Je ne peux pas manger de pommes parce que j'ai un appareil dentaire.I cannot eat apples because I have braces.
- Est-ce que j'ai un appareil dentaire visible ?Do I have visible braces?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about why they cannot eat certain foods at a restaurant.
- ManonJe ne peux pas manger de bonbons, j'ai un appareil dentaire.I cannot eat candy, I have braces.
- HugoAh, c'est pour ça que tu as mal ?Ah, is that why you are in pain?
- ManonOui, Hugo, c'est un peu douloureux.Yes, Hugo, it is a little painful.
- HugoBon courage avec ton appareil !Good luck with your braces!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries appareil, j'ai, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
