abstème
/ap.stɛm/
The English phrase teetotaller is translated into French as abstème.
The term refers to a person who never consumes alcohol.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /ap.stɛm/.
Did you know?
- While abstème refers specifically to alcohol, the word sobre is used in French to describe someone who is 'sober' in the sense of being moderate or plain, such as a 'sobre' style of dress.
- In French culture, when someone is an abstème, they might be asked if they are 'à jeun', which literally means 'fasting' but is used to indicate they are not under the influence of alcohol.
- The concept of being a teetotaller in French is often linked to the word tempérance, a philosophical virtue of moderation that was historically promoted in French educational texts.
Examples in context
- C'est un abstème.He's a teetotaller.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as an abstème.Tatoeba #1109378 by Scott, translation #1108095 by Scott
- Ils sont tous totalement sobres et fiers de cela.They are all completely sober and proud of it.
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are at a party.
- LucasTu veux un verre de vin, Lucas ?Do you want a glass of wine, Lucas?
- ManonNon merci, je suis abstème.No thank you, I'm a teetotaller.
- LucasC'est rare de nos jours !That's rare these days!
- ManonOui, mais je me sens mieux ainsi.Yes, but I feel better this way.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry abstème, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
