mélanger
/me.lɑ̃.ʒe/
To mix in French is mélanger.
The verb mélanger is used to describe the action of combining items from two or more sources that are normally kept separate. While it is primarily used for combining substances, it can also be used figuratively to mean jumbling up or confusing concepts and facts.
Meaning: combine items from two or more sources normally kept separate (verb)
Which one should you use?
The noun mélange refers to the actual result of mixing two or more substances, whereas mélanger is the verb describing the action itself. If you are referring to a combination of things in a formal context, you might also use the word combinaison.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When giving a command or instruction, the form changes based on whom you are addressing. Use mélange when giving a command to a single person in an informal way (addressing them as tu). Use mélangez when giving a command to more than one person, or to one person in a formal context. The past participle mélangé functions as an adjective to describe something that has been mixed.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables and is pronounced /me.lɑ̃.ʒe/.
Did you know?
- To 'mix' a deck of cards in French is often expressed as battre les cartes, which literally means 'to beat the cards'.
- The word mélanger shares a common root with the English word 'melee', describing a confused or disorganized fight.
- The phrase mélanger les torchons et les serviettes literally means 'to mix the dishcloths and the napkins' and is used to describe mixing people of different social classes.
Examples in context
- On ne peut pas mélanger l'eau et l'huile.You can't mix oil and water.This sentence is useful for showing that oil and water cannot be mixed using mélanger.Tatoeba #971250 by sacredceltic, translation #1437111 by CK
- On ne peut pas mélanger l'huile et l'eau.You can't mix oil with water.Tatoeba #6989478 by Rockaround, translation #270764 by CK
- Il est dangereux de mélanger ces substances.It's dangerous to mix these substances.This sentence is useful for warning that it is dangerous to mix certain substances using mélanger.Tatoeba #12918685 by lbdx, translation #2717896 by WestofEden
- Faire un mélange de couleursTo mix colors
- Le mélange des cultures est enrichissantThe mix of cultures is enriching
- L'association de différentes techniquesThe mix of different techniques
- Je vais mixer les ingrédientsI'm going to mix the ingredients
- Il est en train de mixer des morceaux de musiqueHe is mixing music tracks
- Viens mélanger la pâte avec moiCome mix the dough with me
- Le mélange des cultures est vraiment intéressant ici.The mix of cultures is really interesting here.
- Faisons une combinaison de différentes idées pour résoudre ce problème.Let's make a mix of different ideas to solve this problem.
- Va mélanger les ingrédients de la recette pendant que je prépare la pâte.Go mix the ingredients for the recipe while I prepare the dough.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a kitchen, Chloé and Lucas are preparing a cake.
- ChloéTu dois mélanger la farine et le sucre.You must mix the flour and the sugar.
- LucasD'accord, est-ce que je mélange avec une cuillère ?Okay, should I mix it with a spoon?
- ChloéOui, mélange bien la pâte.Yes, mix the batter well.
- LucasC'est fait, la pâte est prête.It is done, the batter is ready.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mélanger, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mélanger, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
