prendre une douche
To say "take a shower" in French, use prendre une douche.
Prendre une douche is the most common and standard way to say "take a shower" in French. You can modify the phrase to specify temperature, such as using une douche chaude for a hot shower or une douche froide for a cold shower.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb prendre (to take), the indefinite article une (a) and the noun douche (shower).
Which one should you use?
While prendre une douche refers specifically to using a shower, prendre un bain is used when referring to taking a bath.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun douche is a feminine noun, which is why the feminine indefinite article une is used.
Did you know?
- If you use a handheld showerhead, it is often called a pomme de douche, which literally translates to a 'shower apple'.
- In France, it is common to use the expression une douche écossaise to describe a shower that alternates between hot and cold water.
- The verb prendre comes from the Latin prehendere, meaning 'to seize'. This is the same root found in English words like 'comprehend' and 'apprehend'.
Examples in context
- Va prendre une douche !Take a shower.Tatoeba #7416390 by lbdx, translation #2250042 by CK
- Je peux prendre une douche?May I take a shower?Tatoeba #1975550 by nimfeo, translation #53045 by CK
- Je vais prendre une douche.I'll take a shower.Tatoeba #2039940 by Rovo, translation #53048 by CK
- Il est recommandé de prendre une douche tous les jours.It is recommended to take a shower every day.
- Elle se douche avant d'aller travailler.She showers before going to work.
- On prend une douche avant de sortir ce soir ?Shall we take a shower before going out tonight?
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are getting ready to go out.
- EmmaJe dois prendre une douche avant de partir.I need to take a shower before leaving.
- GabrielD'accord, je t'attends dans le salon.Okay, I'll wait for you in the living room.
- EmmaTu veux prendre une douche aussi, Gabriel ?Do you want to take a shower too, Gabriel?
- GabrielNon merci, je suis déjà prêt.No thanks, I'm already ready.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries douche, prendre, une, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
