infection
/ɛ̃.fɛk.sjɔ̃/
The English word "infection" is translated into French as infection.
The term refers to a disease. You can use the noun infection to describe the condition itself, or the adjective infecté (masculine) and infectée (feminine) to describe someone or something that has been affected.
Meaning: disease (noun)
Which one should you use?
While infection is the common noun for the condition, the phrase Maladie infectieuse is used specifically to mean "infectious disease" in a more formal or medical context. The adjective forms infecté and infectée are used to describe the state of being infected.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun infection is feminine, so you should use the feminine indefinite article une when saying "an infection" (une infection).
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables: /ɛ̃.fɛk.sjɔ̃/.
Did you know?
- Calling a person infect in French is a severe personal insult, suggesting the person is morally loathsome or repulsive rather than biologically sick.
- While infection is a medical term, the adjective infect is used in French to describe something that smells foul or putrid, such as une odeur infecte.
- In a social context, a French speaker might describe a person's laugh or a positive mood as infectieux, meaning it is contagious in a joyful way.
Examples in context
- J'ai une infection à l'oreille.I have an ear infection.This sentence is useful for expressing that you have an ear infection using infection.Tatoeba #128163 by Aiji, translation #264388 by CK
- Il n'y a pas de signe d'infection.There's no sign of infection.This sentence is useful for stating there is no sign of infection.Tatoeba #1658075 by sacredceltic, translation #1657641 by Spamster
- Il y a peu de risques d'infection.There's little chance of infection.This sentence is useful for describing the low risk of infection.Tatoeba #11561644 by Aiji, translation #11545527 by CK
- Le patient présente une infection bactérienne.The patient has a bacterial infection.
- J'ai une infection à l'oreille, ça me fait mal.I have an ear infection, it hurts.
- Ne touche pas ton bobo, ça risque de s'infecter davantage.Don't touch your boo-boo, it might get infected even more.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan is visiting Chloé at the doctor's office.
- NathanEst-ce que c'est une infection ?Is it an infection?
- ChloéOui, c'est une petite infection urinaire.Yes, it is a small urinary infection.
- NathanEst-ce que c'est grave, Chloé ?Is it serious, Chloé?
- ChloéNon, on peut traiter l'infection facilement.No, we can treat the infection easily.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry infection, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
