cicatrice
/si.ka.tʁis/feminine
The English word 'scar' is translated into French as cicatrice. Wiktionary also lists balafre.
Meaning: permanent mark on the skin (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cicatrice | /si.ka.tʁis/ | feminine |
| balafre | /ba.lafʁ/ | feminine |
The noun cicatrice refers to a permanent mark on the skin. Related to this is the verb cicatriser, which describes the biological process of a wound healing and forming a scar.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun cicatrice is feminine. To form the plural, add an s to get cicatrices.
How do you pronounce it?
/si.ka.tʁis/
Did you know?
- The word balafre has a strange linguistic history, tracing back to an old word for 'lip' or 'edge', suggesting the mark looks like a slit or an opening.
- The term cicatrice can be used metaphorically in French to describe an emotional trauma or a psychological 'scar' left by a past event.
- In French literature and cinema, a balafre is often used as a visual shorthand to identify a villain or a character with a violent past.
Examples in context
- Aurai-je une cicatrice ?Will I have a scar?This sentence is useful for asking about the future existence of a cicatrice.Tatoeba #140086 by sacredceltic, translation #267343 by CK
- D'où provient cette cicatrice ?What's that scar from?This sentence is useful for asking about the origin of a cicatrice.Tatoeba #2071868 by sacredceltic, translation #1886689 by CK
- Tom a une cicatrice sur la joue.Tom has a scar on his cheek.This sentence is useful for describing the location of a cicatrice on someone's face.Tatoeba #5350832 by Aiji, translation #4016726 by CK
- Lors de cet accident de voiture, j'ai eu une cicatrice douloureuse au genou droit.During that car accident, I got a painful scar on my right knee.
- Elle a gardé des cicatrices émotionnelles après cette rupture difficile.She bears emotional scars after that difficult breakup.
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are looking at an old photo.
- GabrielChloé, regarde cette cicatrice sur mon bras.Chloé, look at this scar on my arm.
- ChloéElle est presque invisible, Gabriel.It is almost invisible, Gabriel.
- GabrielPourtant, c'était une cicatrice profonde.Yet, it was a deep scar.
- ChloéLe temps l'a bien atténuée.Time has faded it well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “scar” translations and entries cicatrice, balafre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries balafre, cicatrice, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
