mouchoirs
The English phrase "tissues" is translated into French as mouchoirs.
mouchoirs is used to refer to tissues. In an informal context, the brand name Kleenex is also used in French to refer to tissues.
Which one should you use?
While mouchoirs is commonly used for disposable tissues, adding en papier specifies that they are paper-based rather than cloth.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word mouchoir is a masculine noun.
Did you know?
- The word mouchoir comes from the verb moucher, which means 'to blow one's nose'. Unlike the English word 'tissue' which refers to the material, the French word describes the action the object is used for.
- Historically, the mouchoir de cou was a decorative neckerchief. This is why the same word is used for both a handkerchief and a small scarf in certain traditional contexts.
- In France, it is considered an extreme social faux pas to offer a used mouchoir to someone else, but offering a fresh mouchoir en papier is a standard gesture of empathy.
Examples in context
- Elle n'avait pas de mouchoirs pour essuyer ses larmes.She had no tissues to wipe away her tears.This sentence shows how to use mouchoirs when someone needs to wipe away tears.Tatoeba #2347769 by sacredceltic, translation #2346039 by Hybrid
- J'ai toujours une bonne réserve de mouchoirs dans mes poches.I always have a good supply of tissues in my pockets.This sentence shows how to describe having a supply of mouchoirs in one's pockets.Tatoeba #341819 by TRANG, translation #253122 by CM
- J'achète du papier à écrire, des timbres, et des mouchoirs.I'm buying writing paper, stamps and some tissues.This sentence shows how to use mouchoirs when listing items being purchased.Tatoeba #3557874 by Lebensfreude, translation #3557477 by adamtrousers
- Excusez-moi, où puis-je trouver des mouchoirs, s'il vous plaît?Excuse me, where can I find some tissues, please?
- Auriez-vous des papiers-mouchoirs à disposition?Do you have any tissues available?
- Est-ce que tu aurais des mouchoirs en papier? J'ai besoin de me moucher.Do you have any paper tissues? I need to blow my nose.
- Tu as des Kleenex ? Je suis en train de pleurer devant ce film.Do you have any Kleenex? I'm crying while watching this movie.
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are sitting in a living room during a cold rainy day.
- LucasIl y a des mouchoirs dans le tiroir ?Are there any tissues in the drawer?
- ManonOui, j'en ai pris pour toi, Lucas.Yes, I took some for you, Lucas.
- LucasMerci, mon nez est vraiment rouge.Thank you, my nose is really red.
- ManonPrends ces mouchoirs et repose-toi.Take these tissues and rest.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
