lessive
The English phrase "laundry detergent" is translated into French as lessive.
lessive refers to the chemical product used for washing clothes.
Which one should you use?
While the term détergent can be used to describe the product, lessive is the much more common everyday term used by speakers.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, locals might use the phrase savon à lessive to refer to laundry detergent.
How does it change in a sentence?
lessive is a feminine noun.
Did you know?
- The term lessive is used in French politics and media to describe a 'cleaning' or 'purging' of a list of candidates or names.
- The word lessive shares a common ancestor with the English word 'lye', which is an alkaline solution used to make soap.
- In a professional or artistic context, lessiver can mean to strip a wall of its paint or wallpaper using a strong chemical cleaner before repainting.
Examples in context
- As-tu récemment changé de savon ou de détergent à lessive ?Have you recently changed your soap or laundry detergent?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has changed their soap or lessive.Tatoeba #9938837 by Micsmithel, translation #9851478 by NurseMeeks
- Pouvez-vous me donner de la lessive?Can you give me some laundry detergent?
- Où puis-je trouver de la lessive?Where can I find laundry detergent?
- Auriez-vous de la lessive, s'il vous plaît?Do you have any laundry detergent, please?
- Tu as de la lessive?Do you have any laundry detergent?
- T'aurais pas de la lessive, stp?Don't you have any laundry detergent, please?
- T'as du détergent pour machine à laver?Do you have detergent for the washing machine?
- Où puis-je trouver de la lessive, s'il vous plaît?Where can I find laundry detergent, please?
- Je me permets de vous contacter afin de savoir si vous vendez de la lessive?I am writing to ask if you sell laundry detergent?
- Il faut acheter de la lessive.We need to buy some laundry detergent.
- Cette lessive sent très bon.This laundry detergent smells very good.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are in the kitchen discussing the household chores.
- LéaGabriel, est-ce qu'il reste de la lessive ?Gabriel, is there any laundry detergent left?
- GabrielNon, la bouteille de lessive est vide.No, the laundry detergent bottle is empty.
- LéaJe vais en acheter au supermarché.I am going to buy some at the supermarket.
- GabrielMerci, c'est très gentil.Thanks, that is very kind.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lessive, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
