Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| démangeaison | /de.mɑ̃.ʒɛ.zɔ̃/ /de.mɑ̃.ʒe.zɔ̃/ |
| prurit | /pʁy.ʁit/ |
An itch is a sensation felt on an area of the skin that causes a person or animal to want to scratch. Related verbs include démanger, gratter and picoter, which mean to feel the need to scratch. To express the action of scratching an itch, French speakers typically use the reflexive verb se gratter (to scratch oneself) rather than just gratter.
Which one should you use?
While démangeaison is the common word for an itch, prurit is the technical medical term used by doctors and in clinical contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun démangeaison is very frequently used in its plural form démangeaisons to describe a general sensation of itching or multiple itchy spots.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables and is pronounced /de.mɑ̃.ʒɛ.zɔ̃/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often try to use the noun démangeaison as a verb, but in French, you should use the verb démanger or the impersonal expression ça démange to say 'it itches'.
Did you know?
- The expression avoir des démangeaisons can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe a restless urge or a craving to do something.
- In French, the phrase avoir la gratte is a slang expression used to describe having a contagious skin condition, like lice or scabies.
- The medical term prurit entered the French language as early as 1271, long before modern dermatology existed.
Examples in context
- Docteur, j'ai une démangeaison à l'entrejambe.Doctor, I've got an itch in my crotch.Tatoeba #3340629 by Sisyphe, translation #2733323 by JimBreen
- Pourquoi les piqûres de moustiques provoquent-elles des démangeaisons ?Why do mosquito bites itch?Tatoeba #8659256 by Micsmithel, translation #5284127 by CK
- Elle a gratté sa démangeaison au travers de son crâne, jusqu'au cerveau.She scratched her itch through the scalp to the brain.Tatoeba #1334732 by sacredceltic, translation #1333948 by Scott
- Il souffre de démangeaisons au cuir chevelu.He is suffering from an itchy scalp.
- Le patient présente un prurit dans la région lombaire.The patient has an itch in the lumbar region.
- Ce médicament peut soulager le prurit cutané.This medication can relieve skin itching.
- J'ai des picotements dans les jambes.I have an itch/tingling sensation in my legs.
- Ces orties provoquent de nombreux picotements sur la peau.These nettles cause a lot of itching on the skin.
- J'ai des démangeaisons partout après cette piqûre d'insecte.I have itching all over after that insect bite.
- Les piqûres de moustiques provoquent des démangeaisons intenses.Mosquito bites cause intense itching.
- J'ai une démangeaison insupportable à l'arrière de la gorge.I have an unbearable itch at the back of my throat.
- Après avoir touché cette plante, j'ai eu des picotements sur les mains.After touching that plant, I had a tingling sensation on my hands.
- Mes jambes me démangent énormément à cause de cette réaction allergique.My legs are itching a lot because of this allergic reaction.
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are hiking in the woods.
- NathanLéa, regarde, j'ai une démangeaison sur le bras.Léa, look, I have an itch on my arm.
- LéaC'est sûrement à cause des plantes.It's probably because of the plants.
- NathanCette démangeaison est vraiment insupportable !This itch is really unbearable!
- LéaNe gratte pas, Nathan, ça va empirer.Don't scratch, Nathan, it will get worse.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “itch” translations and entries démangeaison, prurit, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries démangeaison, prurit, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
