gorge
/ɡɔʁʒ/feminine
The English word throat is gorge in French.
gorge refers to the internal front part of the neck. To express the sensation of having a sore throat, French speakers idiomatically use the construction avoir mal à la gorge instead of using a single adjective.
Meaning: front part of the neck (noun)
Which one should you use?
While gorge refers specifically to the internal throat, the word cou is used to refer to the external neck.
How does it change in a sentence?
gorge is a feminine noun, so it is preceded by the feminine article la in the phrase la gorge.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡɔʁʒ/
Did you know?
- The word gorge shares a surprising root with the Latin word for a 'whirlpool' or 'abyss'.
- French uses gorge to describe the specific part of a bottle where the neck narrows before the rim.
- The expression à gorge fendue means to scream or sing at the top of one's lungs, literally suggesting the throat is 'split open'.
Examples in context
- Ma gorge me brûle.My throat burns.This sentence is useful for describing the sensation of your gorge burning.Tatoeba #1136812 by sysko, translation #35760 by orcrist
- J'ai la gorge sèche.My throat feels dry.This sentence is useful for describing your gorge feeling dry.Tatoeba #333576 by sysko, translation #35759 by CK
- Tom a mal à la gorge.Tom's got a sore throat.This sentence is useful for stating that someone has a sore gorge.Tatoeba #10289962 by Micsmithel, translation #5136464 by JimmyUK
- J'ai mal à la gorge.I have a sore throat.
- Le médecin m'a examiné la gorge.The doctor examined my throat.
- 64 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are having tea at home.
- GabrielTu as l'air fatiguée, Chloé.You look tired, Chloé.
- ChloéOui, j'ai mal à la gorge depuis ce matin.Yes, my throat has been hurting since this morning.
- GabrielJe vais te préparer un thé chaud.I will prepare a hot tea for you.
- ChloéMerci, Gabriel, c'est très gentil.Thank you, Gabriel, that is very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “throat” translations and entries gorge, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gorge, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
