Kleenex
/kli.nɛks/masculine
In French, Kleenex is a generic term for a disposable tissue.
Kleenex is used as a colloquial term for tissues.
Meaning: generic term for a disposable tissue (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Kleenex is used colloquially, the more formal or descriptive way to say a single tissue is mouchoir en papier and the plural is mouchoirs en papier.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Canada, the term papier-mouchoir is used for tissue paper.
How does it change in a sentence?
Kleenex is a masculine noun, used as un Kleenex.
How do you pronounce it?
/kli.nɛks/
Did you know?
- While Kleenex is common in France, speakers in Quebec often prefer papier-mouchoir, reflecting a stronger cultural tendency in Canada to avoid using American brand names as generic terms.
- If you ask for a mouchoir in a traditional French household, you might be handed a neatly folded linen square rather than a disposable tissue.
- French speakers use the masculine article un for Kleenex because it aligns with the gender of mouchoir, the noun it replaces.
Examples in context
- Il me faut un Kleenex.I need a Kleenex.This sentence shows how to express a need for a Kleenex.Tatoeba #2347770 by sacredceltic, translation #2346035 by Hybrid
- Est-ce que quelqu'un a un kleenex ?Does anybody have a kleenex?This sentence shows how to ask if someone has a Kleenex.Tatoeba #11662522 by Aiji, translation #4828357 by Hybrid
- Apporte-moi les Kleenex.Bring me the Kleenex.This sentence shows how to ask someone to bring the Kleenex.Tatoeba #452844 by sacredceltic, translation #39689 by CK
- Lorsque vous êtes enrhumé, assurez-vous d'avoir des mouchoirs en papier à portée de main.When you have a cold, make sure to have paper tissues within reach.
- N'oublie pas de prendre des Kleenex avant de sortir ce soir !Don't forget to grab some tissues before going out tonight!
- J'ai besoin de mouchoirs pour mon rhume. Tu en aurais ?I need tissues for my cold. Do you have any?
- Je vais chercher du papier-mouchoir pour notre voyage au Québec.I'll get some tissues for our trip to Quebec.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa is sneezing in the living room.
- HugoTu as besoin d'un Kleenex ?Do you need a Kleenex?
- LéaOui, s'il te plaît, Hugo.Yes, please, Hugo.
- HugoTiens, voilà ton Kleenex.Here, here is your Kleenex.
- LéaMerci beaucoup pour ton aide.Thank you very much for your help.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kleenex” translations and entries Kleenex, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
