How to Say "Peppermint" in French

menthe poivrée

/mɑ̃.tə pwa.vʁe/feminine

Peppermint in French is menthe poivrée.

menthe poivrée is the noun used to refer to the peppermint herb.

Meaning: herb (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The term literally translates to peppery mint.

menthe poivrée specifically refers to peppermint, whereas menthe douce is the term used for spearmint.

As a feminine noun, menthe poivrée is preceded by the feminine articles la or une.

The word menthe is a cognate of the English word 'mint' and both trace back to the Greek myth of Minthe, a river nymph who was transformed into the plant after being crushed by Persephone.
In France, a pastille à la menthe is often used as a polite way to offer a breath mint to someone without explicitly telling them their breath smells.
The term menthe poivrée uses a derivative of the word for pepper, poivre, to describe the plant's scent even though the herb is not spicy.

Je cherche un thé à la menthe poivrée, s'il vous plaît.
I am looking for a peppermint tea, please.
La menthe poivrée est très fraîche.
Peppermint is very fresh.
J'aime le goût de la menthe poivrée.
I love the taste of peppermint.
Il faut ajouter de la menthe poivrée.
You need to add some peppermint.

In a kitchen while preparing a herbal tea.

Hugo

Est-ce que nous avons de la menthe poivrée ?
Do we have any peppermint?
Léa

Oui, elle est sur l'étagère.
Yes, it is on the shelf.
Hugo

Parfait, je vais préparer une infusion.
Perfect, I'm going to make an infusion.
Léa

C'est une excellente idée, Hugo.
That is an excellent idea, Hugo.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏