vétérinaire
/ve.te.ʁi.nɛʁ/feminine, masculine
The English word 'veterinarian' is vétérinaire in French. If unsure, use vétérinaire. Wiktionary also lists véto.
Meaning: doctor who treats animals (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| vétérinaire | /ve.te.ʁi.nɛʁ/ | feminine, masculine |
| véto | /ve.to/ | feminine, masculine |
The term refers to a doctor who treats animals.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
véto is an informal term equivalent to the English 'vet'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Canada, the term Médecin Vétérinaire is often used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word vétérinaire is epicene, meaning it has the same form for both masculine and feminine subjects.
How do you pronounce it?
/ve.te.ʁi.nɛʁ/. It has 4 syllables.
Did you know?
- France was the first country in the world to establish a formal school for vétérinaires in 1761, founded by Claude Bourgelon to combat cattle plagues.
- In France, the title vétérinaire is legally protected, and using it without a degree from a recognized school can lead to prosecution for 'usurpation de titre'.
- While véto is a common abbreviation for vétérinaire, it is a homonym for the political word véto, which means 'to oppose' or 'to block' a decision.
Examples in context
- Je suis vétérinaire mandaté.I'm a licensed veterinarian.This sentence is useful for stating one is a licensed vétérinaire.Tatoeba #6877105 by Micsmithel, translation #6873122 by CK
- Ziri est devenu vétérinaire.Ziri became a veterinarian.This sentence is useful for saying someone became a vétérinaire.Tatoeba #11764050 by Amastan, translation #10209425 by Amastan
- Je voudrais devenir vétérinaire.I would like to be a veterinarian.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to become a vétérinaire.Tatoeba #6205475 by felix63, translation #6736492 by Eccles17
- J'ai besoin de consulter un vétérinaire pour mon chien.I need to consult a veterinarian for my dog.
- Mon chien est malade, je dois aller voir le véto.My dog is sick, I have to go see the vet.
- J'ai rendez-vous chez le vétérinaire pour mon poisson rouge.I have an appointment with the vet for my goldfish.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are discussing Gabriel's career choice.
- ManonTu veux être vétérinaire ?Do you want to be a veterinarian?
- GabrielOui, j'adore les animaux.Yes, I love animals.
- ManonC'est un métier passionnant pour un homme comme toi.It is an exciting job for a man like you.
- GabrielMerci, j'espère réussir mes études.Thanks, I hope to succeed in my studies.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “veterinarian” translations and entries vétérinaire, véto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries véto, vétérinaire, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
