unité psychiatrique
The English phrase "psych ward" is translated into French as unité psychiatrique.
The term refers to a specialized hospital unit for the treatment of patients with mental health disorders.
Which one should you use?
Unité de soins psychiatriques specifically means "psychiatric care unit", and service de psychiatrie is used to refer to the "psychiatric department".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In a formal hospital setting, it is more common to use service de psychiatrie to mean "psychiatric department". Additionally, Unité de soins psychiatriques is a formal way to say "psychiatric care unit".
Did you know?
- French has a specific word aliéniste for the early doctors who worked in these units, coming from the idea that the patient was 'alienated' from their reason.
- French psychiatric care is often divided into secteurs, a unique geographic organization where specific units are responsible for specific neighborhoods.
- In historical French literature, a psychiatric ward was often called a maison de santé, which sounds more like a 'health house' or 'spa' than a hospital.
Examples in context
- Il travaille dans une unité psychiatrique.He works in a psych ward.
- L'unité psychiatrique est située au deuxième étage.The psych ward is located on the second floor.
- Elle a été admise dans l'unité psychiatrique.She was admitted to the psych ward.
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are talking about a hospital visit.
- ChloéOù est le patient ?Where is the patient?
- GabrielIl est dans l'unité psychiatrique.He is in the psych ward.
- ChloéEst-ce que l'unité est loin ?Is the ward far away?
- GabrielNon, c'est juste à côté.No, it is just nearby.
