ordonnance
/ɔʁ.dɔ.nɑ̃s/feminine
The French word for prescription is ordonnance.
Ordonnance refers to the written order provided by a doctor for the administration of medicine.
Meaning: written order for the administration of a medicine (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun ordonnance is feminine, meaning it is preceded by feminine articles such as une or la.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ɔʁ.dɔ.nɑ̃s/. It has 3 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the word prescription to mean a medical order. In French, prescription usually refers to a legal or formal rule or a command. You should use ordonnance instead when referring to medicine.
Did you know?
- In France, the word ordonnance can also refer to a royal decree or a formal legal ordinance, meaning the same word describes both a doctor's note and a king's law.
- In a legal context, the word prescription refers to the expiration of a right or a debt, known in English as a 'statute of limitations'.
- The word ordonnance shares the same root as the English word 'order', both descending from the Latin 'ordinare'.
Examples in context
- Tom a besoin d'une ordonnance.Tom needs a prescription.This sentence shows how to express that someone needs an ordonnance.Tatoeba #3483144 by Lulantis, translation #2644847 by CK
- Je vous délivrerai une ordonnance.I'll give you a prescription.This sentence is useful for stating that you will provide an ordonnance.Tatoeba #128413 by sacredceltic, translation #266989 by CK
- Mon ordonnance est prête chez le pharmacien.My prescription is ready at the pharmacist's.This sentence shows how to say an ordonnance is ready at the pharmacy.Tatoeba #3259608 by Aiji, translation #3259609 by sundown
- J'ai besoin d'une ordonnance pour acheter ce médicamentI need a prescription to buy this medication
- Mon médecin a rédigé une ordonnance pour mes allergies.My doctor wrote a prescription for my allergies.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are in a pharmacy.
- GabrielEst-ce que vous avez une ordonnance ?Do you have a prescription?
- LéaOui, le médecin m'a fait une ordonnance.Yes, the doctor wrote me a prescription.
- GabrielTrès bien, je vais la lire.Very well, I am going to read it.
- LéaMerci beaucoup pour votre aide.Thank you very much for your help.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “prescription” translations and entries ordonnance, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ordonnance, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
