crème solaire
/kʁɛm sɔ.lɛʁ/feminine
The English phrase "sunscreen" is translated into French as crème solaire. Wiktionary also lists écran solaire.
Meaning: cream that protects the skin from the sun (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| crème solaire | /kʁɛm sɔ.lɛʁ/ | feminine |
| écran solaire | masculine |
The term refers to a cream used to protect the skin from the sun. In English, crème solaire directly translates to "sun cream". When describing the action of applying it to your skin, the standard way to say "to put on sunscreen" is mettre de la crème solaire.
Which one should you use?
crème solaire is the common everyday term used in conversation. In contrast, écran solaire is a more formal or technical term often found in advertising or on product packaging.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because crème solaire is a feminine uncountable noun, you use the partitive article de la to express "some" or an unspecified amount, as in de la crème solaire.
How do you pronounce it?
/kʁɛm sɔ.lɛʁ/
Did you know?
- In France, pharmacists often play a primary role in recommending a specific crème solaire based on skin type, more so than in the US.
- The word crème shares a root with the Greek khrîsma, which refers to an anointed oil used in religious rites.
- The word écran in écran solaire means 'screen' in the sense of a physical barrier or a computer monitor.
Examples in context
- As-tu de la crème solaire ?Do you have any sunscreen?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has any crème solaire.Tatoeba #4599549 by sacredceltic, translation #2545018 by CK
- Tu as mis de la crème solaire ?Did you put on sunscreen?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has applied crème solaire.Tatoeba #3292506 by gillux, translation #4533463 by CK
- As-tu mis de la crème solaire ?Did you put on some sunscreen?Tatoeba #4022087 by mouche, translation #3959848 by Deestor
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are preparing for a day at the beach.
- EmmaGabriel, est-ce que tu as de la crème solaire ?Gabriel, do you have some sunscreen?
- GabrielOui, elle est dans le sac de plage.Yes, it is in the beach bag.
- EmmaParfait, j'ai besoin d'en appliquer sur mon visage.Perfect, I need to apply some to my face.
- GabrielD'accord, je vais la sortir pour toi.Okay, I will take it out for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sunscreen” translations and entries crème solaire, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries crème, solaire, écran, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
