tampon
/tɑ̃.pɔ̃/masculine
The French word for tampon is tampon.
The word tampon refers to a plug made of cotton or other absorbent material. In a non-medical or non-hygienic context, it can also refer to a buffer or a plug used in industrial or technical processes.
Meaning: a plug of cotton or other absorbent material (noun)
Which one should you use?
While tampon is the standard term, adding the adjective hygiénique to create tampon hygiénique is a common way to specify the sanitary product and avoid ambiguity with other types of plugs or buffers.
How does it change in a sentence?
tampon is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /tɑ̃.pɔ̃/.
Did you know?
- French speakers use the phrase faire tampon to describe acting as a mediator or a neutral party between two conflicting people.
- The French word tampon shares a common ancestor with the English word 'tap'. Both come from a Proto-Germanic root meaning a 'plug' or 'stopper'.
- In computing and electronics, a tampon refers to a data buffer used to temporarily store information during transfer.
Examples in context
- Serviette hygiénique, tampon périodique, protection féminine, toutes ces expressions désignent la même chose.Sanitary napkin, tampon, feminine protection — all those terms mean the same thing.This sentence shows that several different expressions can be used to mean the same thing as tampon.Tatoeba #10463628 by starman59, translation #11863325 by Lebensfreude
- tampon hygiéniqueTamponThis example shows the phrase tampon hygiénique.
- J'ai besoin d'acheter des tampons, tu peux m'en prêter?I need to buy tampons, can you lend me some?
- Elle a acheté un tampon.She bought a tampon.
Example conversation
Léa is asking Hugo to help her at the pharmacy.
- LéaHugo, peux-tu me chercher un tampon ?Hugo, can you get me a tampon?
- HugoOui, mais je ne sais pas lequel choisir.Yes, but I don't know which one to choose.
- LéaPrends n'importe quelle marque de tampon.Take any brand of tampon.
- HugoD'accord, j'arrive tout de suite.Okay, I'll be right there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tampon” translations and entries tampon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tampon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
