parasite
/pa.ʁa.zit/masculine
The English word 'parasite' is parasite in French.
In a biological context, parasite refers to an organism that exists by stealing resources from another organism. For a more formal way to refer to a parasitic organism, you can use the phrase Organisme parasite.
Meaning: (biology) organism that exists by stealing resources from another organism (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural, add an 's' to the end of the word to get parasites.
How do you pronounce it?
/pa.ʁa.zit/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid pronouncing the final 'e' as a separate syllable. In French, the word ends on the 't' sound.
Did you know?
- The word parasite is used in French radio and electronics to describe 'static' or 'interference' on a signal.
- The Greek roots of parasite literally mean 'eating at another's table', combining 'para' meaning 'beside' and 'sitos' meaning 'grain' or 'wheat'.
- The French phrase vivre aux crochets de quelqu'un, meaning 'to live on someone's hooks', is the common idiomatic way to describe a human parasite.
Examples in context
- Tu n'es rien d'autre qu'un parasite de la société !You're nothing more than a social parasite!This sentence shows how to use parasite to describe someone as a social parasite.Tatoeba #10486343 by lbdx, translation #1331956 by Scott
- Tom est un parasite vivant aux dépens des autres, qui gagnent de l'argent durement.Tom is a parasite who lives at the expense of others who earn money through hard work.This sentence uses parasite to describe someone living at the expense of others.Tatoeba #6206159 by Sorgan, translation #6204419 by carlosalberto
- La sangsue est un parasite.The leech is a parasite.This sentence uses parasite to identify a leech as a parasite.Tatoeba #13335884 by Adelpa, translation #10556209 by tokzyk
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are looking at a biology textbook.
- ManonRegarde ce schéma du parasite, Nathan.Look at this diagram of the parasite, Nathan.
- NathanC'est incroyable comme il se nourrit.It's incredible how it feeds.
- ManonOui, il est très efficace.Yes, it is very efficient.
- NathanC'est fascinant pour un biologiste.It is fascinating for a biologist.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “parasite” translations and entries parasite, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries parasite, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
