spray buccal
standard
French usually names the product instead of using one general word. For a mouth freshener spray, say spray buccal. For a breath mint, say bonbon à la menthe, and for mouthwash, say bain de bouche. It is also called chewing-gum.
Meaning: a product that freshens the breath (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | Note |
|---|---|
| spray buccal | standard |
| bonbon à la menthe | standard |
| chewing-gum | standard |
| bain de bouche | standard |
Use spray buccal for a small spray you use on the go. Use bonbon à la menthe for a mint and chewing-gum for gum. All of these are masculine nouns, so you say un spray buccal and un bonbon à la menthe.
Which one should you use?
Bain de bouche is mouthwash that you rinse with and spit out, while a spray buccal or a mint is for a quick refresh. The idea of fresh breath is l'haleine fraîche and bad breath is la mauvaise haleine.
How do you pronounce it?
In spray buccal the first word sounds like "sprè" and the final l of buccal is pronounced. In bain de bouche the ain is a nasal vowel.
When do people say it?
In French shops you will most often ask for des bonbons à la menthe or des chewing-gums at the checkout or the pharmacy counter.
Did you know?
- The French bain de bouche literally means "mouth bath".
Examples in context
- J'utilise un spray buccal avant les réunions.I use a mouth spray before meetings.
- Il mâche un chewing-gum pour avoir l'haleine fraîche.He chews gum to have fresh breath.
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are about to go into a meeting.
- LéaTu as un bonbon à la menthe ?Do you have a mint?
- HugoOui, tiens. J'ai aussi un spray buccal.Yes, here. I also have a mouth spray.
- LéaNon merci, un bonbon suffit. J'ai mangé de l'ail à midi.No thanks, a mint is enough. I ate garlic at lunch.
- HugoAlors tu as bien fait de demander !Then you were right to ask!
