règles
/ʁɛɡl/
The French word for menstruation is règles.
In French, the term for the periodic discharging of the menses is typically expressed using the plural noun règles. If you want to say that someone is menstruating, you should use the verbal phrase avoir ses règles (to have one's period).
Meaning: periodic discharging of the menses (noun)
Which one should you use?
In many contexts, les ragnagnas serves as a playful, colloquial way to refer to menstruation and les anglaises is an informal term used to describe the same thing.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Menstruation is a formal, medical term used in clinical or scientific contexts. Les règles is the common, everyday way to refer to a period, though it is more colloquial than the medical term. For a very casual and playful tone, one might use the colloquialism les ragnagnas, while les anglaises is considered an informal term.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word for menstruation is almost always used in the plural form with a definite article, such as les règles.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁɛɡl/
Did you know?
- The slang term les anglaises literally means 'the English women'. Historically, this was a coded way to refer to periods without naming them directly.
- The word règles is the same word French speakers use for 'rules' or 'regulations'. This reflects the idea of a biological cycle following a strict, predictable law.
- While règles is the standard term, the colloquial les ragnagnas is an onomatopoeic creation intended to sound like grumbling or complaining.
Examples in context
- Il est important d'apprendre à gérer la menstruation.It is important to learn how to manage menstruation.
- Je ne peux pas sortir ce soir, j'ai les ragnagnas.I can't go out tonight, I have my period.
- Mes règles sont arrivées aujourd'hui.My period arrived today.
- Elle a des douleurs pendant ses règles.She has pain during her period.
- Je ne me sens pas bien à cause de mes règles.I don't feel well because of my period.
Example conversation
Léa is explaining to Gabriel why she wants to stay home.
- LéaJe ne peux pas sortir car j'ai mes règles.I cannot go out because I have my period.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu as mal, Léa ?Are you in pain, Léa?
- LéaOui, j'ai de fortes crampes.Yes, I have strong cramps.
- GabrielRepose-toi bien alors.Get some good rest then.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry règles, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
