Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ventre | /vɑ̃tʁ/ | masculine |
| bedon | /bə.dɔ̃/ | masculine |
Ventre refers to the belly or the general abdominal area. If you are referring specifically to the internal anatomical organ, the word estomac is used. Additionally, the related verb digérer can be used figuratively to mean 'to tolerate or accept something'.
Which one should you use?
While ventre is the standard term for the belly area, bedon is a colloquial way to say 'belly' or 'tummy', often used in a slightly mocking or cute way to describe a large belly. For a more formal context, the word abdomen is used to denote the general area of the stomach.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that you have a stomach ache, use the construction avoir mal au followed by the noun, as in avoir mal au ventre. To describe lying or sleeping in a prone position, use the phrase sur le ventre.
How do you pronounce it?
/vɑ̃tʁ/
Did you know?
- In French, the phrase ventre à terre means 'belly to the ground' and is used as an idiom meaning to go at full speed or in a great hurry.
- The phrase se tordre le ventre is used both to describe a physical cramp and the sensation of laughing uncontrollably.
- The expression avoir le ventre plein is not just about being full, but can be used to describe someone who is complacent or satisfied with their social status.
Examples in context
- J'ai mal au ventre.I have a stomach ache.This sentence is useful for expressing that you have a stomach ache using ventre.Tatoeba #134963 by sacredceltic, translation #1488115 by rafael8243
- Je dors sur le ventre.I sleep on my stomach.This sentence shows how to use ventre to describe sleeping on one's stomach.Tatoeba #10510807 by lbdx, translation #8555442 by CK
- Elle dort sur le ventre.She sleeps on her stomach.This sentence also demonstrates the use of ventre when describing a prone sleeping position.Tatoeba #4949211 by sacredceltic, translation #2857154 by patgfisher
- Le patient ressent une douleur au ventreThe patient feels a stomachache
- L'estomac est situé entre l'œsophage et l'intestinThe stomach is located between the esophagus and the intestine
- Une blessure à l'abdomen peut être graveA wound to the abdomen can be serious
- Il se roule par terre en se tenant le ventre de rireHe rolls on the floor laughing
- J'ai la panse bien remplieI have a full stomach
- Depuis hier, j'ai un mal de ventre terrible.Since yesterday, I have a terrible stomachache.
- Je ressens une douleur à l'estomac après avoir mangé trop vite.I feel a pain in my stomach after eating too quickly.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are talking about their dinner.
- LucasJe ne peux plus rien manger.I can't eat anything else.
- LéaTu as le ventre plein, Lucas ?Is your stomach full, Lucas?
- LucasOui, mon ventre est très tendu.Yes, my stomach is very tight.
- LéaMoi aussi, je suis rassasiée.Me too, I am full.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stomach” translations and entries ventre, bedon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
