coup de soleil
/ku d(ə) sɔ.lɛj/masculine
The English phrase 'sunburn' is coup de soleil in French. Wiktionary also lists actinite.
Meaning: burn on skin (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| coup de soleil | /ku d(ə) sɔ.lɛj/ | masculine |
| actinite | feminine |
The term coup de soleil is the most common and widely used way to say sunburn in French. While it is primarily used for a burn on the skin, it can also mean 'sunstroke' in certain contexts, though coup de chaleur is more specific for heatstroke. To express the action of getting a sunburn, use the verbal phrase attraper un coup de soleil.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase coup de soleil literally translates to 'blow of sun'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is masculine. When using an indefinite article like un or an adjective like mauvais, you do not add an extra 'e' to the words. To say one has 'caught' a sunburn, use the verb attraper rather than recevoir.
How do you pronounce it?
/ku d(ə) sɔ.lɛj/
Did you know?
- The word soleil in the phrase coup de soleil descends from a Latin diminutive, meaning the French word for sun originally meant 'little sun'.
- In French, the word coup is used in a wide variety of contexts, meaning everything from a physical hit and a shot to a sudden stroke of luck.
- The term actinite is a formal alternative to coup de soleil and shares a linguistic root with the English medical term 'actinic'.
Examples in context
- J'ai un mauvais coup de soleil.I have a bad sunburn.This sentence is useful for describing having a bad coup de soleil.Tatoeba #575064 by sacredceltic, translation #281136 by CK
- Je souffre d'un coup de soleil.My sunburn hurts.This sentence is useful for expressing that your coup de soleil is painful.Tatoeba #9416476 by Micsmithel, translation #281135 by CK
- J'ai mis beaucoup de crème solaire, mais j'ai quand même attrapé un méchant coup de soleil.I put on a lot of sunscreen, but I still got a bad sunburn.This sentence is useful for explaining how you still managed to get a bad coup de soleil despite using sunscreen.Tatoeba #10285895 by lbdx, translation #8105322 by CK
- J'ai attrapé un coup de soleil à la plage hier.I got a sunburn at the beach yesterday.
- L'érythème solaire nécessite souvent l'application d'une crème apaisante.Sunburn often requires the application of a soothing cream.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are at the beach.
- LéaTu as un coup de soleil sur le nez ?Do you have a sunburn on your nose?
- NathanOui, ça me brûle un peu.Yes, it burns a little.
- LéaJe vais chercher de la crème pour ton coup de soleil.I am going to look for some cream for your sunburn.
- NathanMerci, c'est très gentil.Thank you, that is very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sunburn” translations and entries coup de soleil, actinite, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries coup, coup de soleil, de, soleil, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
