Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| plâtre | /platʁ/ /plɑtʁ/ |
masculine |
| enduit | /ɑ̃.dɥi/ | masculine |
plâtre is the standard term for the material itself, such as gypsum-based plaster. It is also the word used in a medical context to refer to a plaster cast used to immobilize a broken bone. The related verb plâtrer means to apply plaster to a surface, while enduire is a more general verb meaning to coat or spread a substance over a surface.
Which one should you use?
Use plâtre when you are talking specifically about the material itself. Use enduit when referring to a finishing coating or render applied to a wall, which may be made of plaster or other materials. Additionally, while plâtrer specifically means to apply plaster, the verb enduire means to coat a surface with various substances.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Both plâtre and enduit are masculine nouns. The related verbs are plâtrer (to plaster) and enduire (to coat/to cover up).
How do you pronounce it?
/platʁ/
Did you know?
- In French slang, the expression être plâtré can be used to describe someone who is extremely drunk.
- The history of plâtre traces back to the Ancient Greek word émplastron, which originally meant a salve or a medicinal paste applied to the skin.
- While plâtre describes a medical cast, French speakers use the word pansement for a small adhesive bandage, which is called a 'plaster' in British English.
Examples in context
- Le plâtre est utilisé pour recouvrir les mursPlaster is used to cover walls
- L'enduit est utilisé pour réparer les mursPlaster is used to repair walls
- Le plâtre est encore humide.The plaster is still damp.
- Il faut préparer le plâtre avant de l'appliquer.You have to prepare the plaster before applying it.
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are renovating their living room.
- ChloéNathan, est-ce que tu as acheté le plâtre ?Nathan, did you buy the plaster?
- NathanOui, il est dans le garage.Yes, it is in the garage.
- ChloéOn commence à l'utiliser maintenant ?Are we starting to use it now?
- NathanNon, attendons que le mur soit sec.No, let's wait until the wall is dry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “plaster” translations and entries plâtre, enduit, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries enduit, plâtre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
