sclérose en plaques
/skle.ʁo.z‿ɑ̃ plak/feminine
Multiple sclerosis in French is sclérose en plaques.
The phrase refers to a chronic disease of the brain and spinal cord.
Meaning: chronic disease of the brain and spinal cord (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term sclérose en plaques literally translates to 'sclerosis in plates', which refers to the plaques (lesions) found in the central nervous system.
Which one should you use?
While sclérose en plaques is the standard term, Sclérose multiple is another formal way to name the condition. For informal or shorthand communication, you might see La SEP (an abbreviation) or La sclérose (a shortened version of the phrase).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is a feminine noun phrase and is typically used with the definite article la.
Did you know?
- The French word plaques is used here in a medical sense, but in everyday French it is the same word used for 'heating pads' or 'stovetop burners'.
- If you use the shortened version la sclérose in a conversation, you must be careful, as it can also refer to the general process of hardening of tissue.
- The word sclérose shares a common ancestor with the English word 'sclerosis', both tracing back to the Greek word for 'hardness'.
Examples in context
- Mon ami a reçu un diagnostic de sclérose en plaques la semaine dernière.My friend was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last week.
- Je participe à un groupe de soutien pour les personnes atteintes de SEP .I am part of a support group for people with multiple sclerosis.
- Elle souffre de la sclérose en plaques.She suffers from multiple sclerosis.
- La sclérose en plaques est une maladie complexe.Multiple sclerosis is a complex disease.
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are talking about a relative's health.
- ChloéPourquoi ta cousine est-elle fatiguée ?Why is your cousin tired?
- HugoElle a été diagnostiquée avec la sclérose en plaques.She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
- ChloéJe suis désolée d'apprendre cela, Hugo.I am sorry to hear that, Hugo.
- HugoMerci, Chloé, elle se bat courageusement.Thank you, Chloé, she is fighting courageously.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “multiple sclerosis” translations and entries sclérose en plaques, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries en, sclérose, CC BY-SA 4.0.
