ongle incarné
The English phrase "ingrown nail" is translated into French as ongle incarné.
The term refers to a medical condition where the side or corner of a fingernail or toenail grows into the surrounding skin. In a medical or podiatric context, you use the masculine article un because ongle is a masculine noun.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ongle, meaning "nail" and incarné, meaning "incarnate" or "flesh-bound". It literally translates to a nail that has become part of the flesh.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural "ingrown nails", both the noun ongle and the adjective incarné must take an s to become ongles incarnés.
Did you know?
- The word ongle descends from the Latin unguis, which is the distant relative of the English word 'ungulate' used to describe hoofed mammals.
- The word incarné is used in French to describe the specific pinkish-red shade of a baby's skin or the color of human flesh in art.
- If you were describing an 'incarnate' person in a literary sense, you would use the exact same word, incarné, which refers to a spirit taking on a physical body.
Examples in context
- J'ai un ongle incarné au gros orteil, ça me fait mal. Je vais prendre rendez-vous chez le podologue demain.I have an ingrown nail on my big toe, it's painful. I will make an appointment with the podiatrist tomorrow.
- J'ai un ongle incarné au gros orteil.I have an ingrown nail on my big toe.
- C'est douloureux quand j'ai un ongle incarné.It is painful when I have an ingrown nail.
- Le médecin a soigné mon ongle incarné.The doctor treated my ingrown nail.
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are talking at home about a foot injury.
- LéaTu marches bizarrement, qu'est-ce que tu as ?You are walking strangely, what is wrong?
- NathanJ'ai un ongle incarné qui me fait mal.I have an ingrown nail that is hurting me.
- LéaOh non, tu devrais voir un podologue.Oh no, you should see a podiatrist.
- NathanOui, je vais prendre rendez-vous demain.Yes, I will make an appointment tomorrow.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries incarné, ongle, CC BY-SA 4.0.
