encens
/ɑ̃.sɑ̃/masculine
The English word incense is translated into French as encens.
The word encens refers to the material that is burnt to produce fragrant smoke.
Meaning: material burnt for fragrant smoke (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
Because encens is a masculine noun that starts with a vowel, the partitive article used to mean "some incense" is de l'encens. In a negative sentence, this partitive article contracts to d'encens (for example, "of incense").
How do you pronounce it?
/ɑ̃.sɑ̃/. The word has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word encens shares a root with the French word incendie, which means 'a large fire' or 'a blaze'.
- In French, the verb encenser can be used figuratively to mean 'to flatter someone excessively' or 'to praise highly'.
- While encens refers to the substance, the French use the term encensoir for the swinging vessel used to burn it during a Catholic Mass.
Examples in context
- Arrêtez de brûler de l'encens ! J'ai de l'asthme.Stop burning incense! I have asthma.This sentence is useful for showing how to express having asthma in relation to using encens.Tatoeba #10561431 by lbdx, translation #6992309 by Eccles17
- Je ne brûle pas d'encens à la maison, habituellement.I don't usually burn incense at home.This sentence demonstrates how to use encens in a negative statement about one's habits at home.Tatoeba #2316243 by sacredceltic, translation #2315338 by CK
- Elle aime bien brûler de l'encens pendant qu'elle fait du yoga.She likes to burn incense while practising yoga.This sentence shows how encens can be used in the context of practicing yoga.Tatoeba #10561433 by lbdx, translation #2334903 by Hybrid
- J'ai besoin d'acheter de l'encens pour la célébration religieuse.I need to buy incense for the religious ceremony.
- J'ai allumé de l'encens dans ma chambre, ça sent merveilleusement bon!I lit some incense in my room, it smells amazingly good!
- J'ai allumé de l'encens de santal.I lit some sandalwood incense.
- Où puis-je trouver de l'encens?Where can I find incense?
- Je voudrais acheter de l'encens, s'il vous plaît.I would like to buy incense, please.
- Cet encens sent vraiment bon!This incense smells really good!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are in a small boutique.
- EmmaCet encens sent très bon.This incense smells very good.
- HugoTu en veux pour ton appartement ?Do you want some for your apartment?
- EmmaOui, j'adore cet encens à la lavande.Yes, I love this lavender incense.
- HugoPrends-en un paquet alors.Take a pack of it then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “incense” translations and entries encens, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
