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A2 verb #7,000 am häufigsten 13 Min. Lesezeit

cicatriser

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At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'cicatriser' often, but it's helpful to recognize it. Think of it as a special word for 'healing' when you have a cut or a scratch. In English, we say 'to heal'. In French, when you talk about your body fixing a small injury, you can use this word. For example, if you fall and hurt your knee, the doctor might say 'Ça va cicatriser' (It will heal). At this stage, just remember that it relates to skin and injuries. You can associate it with the English word 'cicatrix' (a medical word for scar) if that helps you remember. Don't worry about the complex grammar yet; just know that it is a regular verb like 'parler' or 'manger'. If you see it on a tube of cream in a French pharmacy, you will know that the cream is for helping your skin get better. It's a useful word for basic health needs. You might also hear it in very simple stories where a character gets a small wound. The key for A1 is to connect the sound 'cicatriser' with the image of a wound closing up. You can practice by saying 'Ma coupure cicatrise' (My cut is healing). It's a great way to start learning about how the French language describes the body and health. Even at this basic level, knowing this word makes you feel more confident when visiting a doctor or a pharmacy in a French-speaking country.

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At the A2 level, you should start using 'cicatriser' to describe physical healing in more detail. You are now learning to talk about past events and future plans, so you can use this verb in the Passé Composé or the Futur Simple. For example, 'J'ai eu une coupure, mais elle a déjà cicatrisé' (I had a cut, but it has already healed). You should also learn the noun 'une cicatrice' (a scar), which comes from the same family. At A2, you are expected to handle common daily situations, and being able to explain how an injury is progressing is part of that. You might use it to talk about why you can't go swimming ('Ma blessure n'a pas encore cicatrisé') or why you need to buy a specific cream. You are also starting to see how French verbs can be transitive (doing something to something else) or intransitive (happening on its own). 'La plaie cicatrise' is intransitive—the wound is doing the work. This is the most common way you will use it. You should also be aware that French people care a lot about skin health, so you will see this word in advertisements for skincare. Try to use it instead of the more general 'guérir' when you are specifically talking about a mark on the skin. This shows that you are developing a more precise vocabulary, which is a key goal for A2 learners. It's a regular '-er' verb, so the conjugation is easy, but the meaning adds a lot of 'flavor' to your descriptions of physical health.

By the B1 level, you are moving beyond simple physical descriptions and starting to use 'cicatriser' in metaphorical and abstract contexts. This is where the word becomes really interesting. You can use it to talk about feelings, relationships, and life experiences. For example, 'Il lui faudra du temps pour cicatriser après cette rupture' (It will take him time to heal after this breakup). At B1, you are expected to express opinions and feelings, and 'cicatriser' is a perfect verb for describing the process of emotional recovery. You should also understand the reflexive form 'se cicatriser' and how it differs slightly from the simple verb. Using 'se' often emphasizes that the healing is happening within the person or the thing itself. You might also encounter the word in news articles or more complex stories. For instance, a journalist might write about a city 'cicatrisant' its wounds after a natural disaster. This level also requires you to understand the difference between 'cicatriser' and 'guérir' more clearly. Remember: you 'guéris' from a disease, but you 'cicatrises' from a wound or a trauma. You can also start using adverbs to modify the verb, such as 'cicatriser lentement' (to heal slowly) or 'cicatriser proprement' (to heal cleanly). This adds nuance to your speaking and writing. Practice using it in your journal to describe how you feel about past challenges. It’s a powerful word that helps you sound more sophisticated and empathetic in French.

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At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of the various nuances of 'cicatriser' and be able to use it fluently in both formal and informal settings. You can use it to discuss complex social and political issues. For example, you might participate in a debate about how a country can 'cicatriser les plaies du passé' (heal the wounds of the past). At this level, you understand that the word carries a certain weight; it implies that while the pain may stop, a mark or a memory remains. This is a very 'French' way of looking at history and personal growth. You should be comfortable with the transitive use, where an action or a person 'cicatrise' something else: 'Cette politique vise à cicatriser les divisions sociales'. You are also expected to recognize the word in literature and high-level journalism. You might notice how authors use it to create vivid imagery of resilience. Your grammar should be perfect when using this verb—knowing that it takes 'avoir' in the past and how to use it with different pronouns. You can also explore the word family further, using terms like 'cicatrisation' (the process of healing) or 'cicatrisant' (healing/scarring as an adjective). At B2, your goal is to use 'cicatriser' to show that you can handle abstract concepts and that you have a deep understanding of French culture's emphasis on the lasting impact of experience. It’s no longer just about a cut on the finger; it’s about the scars that shape who we are and how society functions.

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At the C1 level, you are exploring the stylistic and philosophical depths of 'cicatriser'. You can use it with precision in academic writing or professional contexts. You might analyze how a certain historical event 'a laissé une plaie qui peine à cicatriser' (left a wound that struggles to heal), using the verb to discuss national identity or collective memory. You understand the subtle difference in register between 'cicatriser' and its synonyms like 'se refermer' or 'se résorber'. At this level, you can use the verb in complex grammatical structures, such as the subjunctive or the conditional, to express hypothetical situations: 'Il serait souhaitable que ces tensions se cicatrisent avant les élections'. You also appreciate the word's role in French 'art de vivre' and medical ethics, where the quality of 'cicatrisation' is considered as important as the surgery itself. You can use the word in metaphors about the environment, urban planning, or economics—for instance, describing how a city 'cicatrise' its abandoned industrial zones by turning them into parks. Your use of 'cicatriser' should feel natural and effortless, showing an appreciation for the word's ability to convey both fragility and strength. You might also use it to critique literature, discussing how a poet uses the imagery of 'plaies' and 'cicatrisation' to explore the human condition. At C1, 'cicatriser' is a tool for nuanced expression, allowing you to articulate the complex relationship between past suffering and present stability.

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At the C2 level, you have reached a mastery of 'cicatriser' that allows you to use it with the same flexibility and creative flair as a highly educated native speaker. You can use it in highly specialized fields, such as psychoanalysis, to discuss the 'cicatrisation de l'ego', or in political science to discuss 'la cicatrisation diplomatique'. You are aware of the word's etymological roots and how they inform its modern usage. You can play with the word in creative writing, perhaps using it in an unexpected way to describe a landscape or a piece of music that 'cicatrise le silence'. You understand the full spectrum of its connotations, from the clinical reality of a hospital ward to the spiritual journey of a monk. At this level, you can detect the subtle irony or sarcasm if someone uses the word inappropriately. You are also able to discuss the nuances of translation—how 'cicatriser' captures something that 'to heal' or 'to scar over' might miss in certain contexts. You can use the verb to lead high-level discussions on reconciliation and social justice, articulating exactly why 'cicatriser' is the right word for the process of moving forward without forgetting. Your command of the word is absolute; it is a part of your expressive repertoire that you can deploy to add depth, precision, and emotional resonance to any discourse. You see 'cicatriser' not just as a verb, but as a concept that encapsulates the human experience of endurance and the inevitable marks left by time.

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cicatriser in 30 Sekunden

A verb meaning to heal a physical wound by forming a scar.
Commonly used metaphorically for emotional or social recovery.
A regular -er verb conjugated with 'avoir' in compound tenses.
Crucial for medical, skincare, and deep emotional conversations in French.

The French verb cicatriser is a fascinating term that bridges the gap between purely physical biological processes and deep emotional recovery. At its core, it refers to the physiological process where a wound closes and forms a scar. However, its usage in French is far more nuanced than a simple medical description. Understanding this word requires looking at how the French perceive 'healing' not just as the absence of pain, but as the visible or invisible marking of a past event that has now reached a state of resolution. In daily conversation, you will encounter this verb in hospitals, during discussions about skincare, but perhaps most poignantly in literature and personal heart-to-hearts where people discuss the 'scars' left by life's hardships.

Medical Context: In a clinical setting, cicatriser describes the stages of tissue repair. Doctors use it to explain how a surgical incision or a simple scratch is progressing towards closure. It implies the formation of 'tissu cicatriciel' (scar tissue).
Metaphorical Context: Beyond the skin, the word is used to describe the resolution of emotional trauma, social conflicts, or historical grievances. When a relationship 'cicatrise', it means the initial pain has subsided, though the memory remains.

Après l'opération, la plaie a mis deux semaines à cicatriser complètement, laissant une fine ligne blanche sur son bras.

One of the most important aspects of using cicatriser is recognizing its dual nature as both an intransitive and a transitive verb. You can say 'la plaie cicatrise' (the wound is healing) or 'le médecin aide la plaie à cicatriser' (the doctor helps the wound to heal). This flexibility allows speakers to attribute the healing process to nature itself or to an external force. In modern French, the reflexive form se cicatriser is also frequently used to emphasize the internal, self-contained nature of the healing process. For example, 'Son cœur commence enfin à se cicatriser' suggests a personal, internal journey of recovery after a breakup or loss.

Le temps aide souvent à cicatriser les blessures les plus profondes de l'âme.

Culturally, the French often use this word in political discourse. Following a period of national strife or social unrest, leaders might speak of the need to cicatriser la nation. This implies that the 'wounds' of society are open and bleeding, and that a process of reconciliation is required to form a protective 'scar' that allows the country to function again. It is a word of hope but also of realism; a scar is a reminder that something happened, but it is also proof that the body or society has survived and moved forward.

Dermatological nuances: In the beauty industry, products are often marketed as 'crème cicatrisante'. This specifically targets the repair of the skin barrier.

Il faut appliquer cette pommade pour aider la coupure à cicatriser proprement et éviter une marque trop visible.

Finally, the word appears in many idiomatic expressions related to closure. When someone says 'la plaie est encore ouverte', they mean the event is too fresh to have begun to cicatriser. Once it has cicatrisé, the person can speak of the event with more distance. This transition from 'open' to 'cicatrized' is a key concept in French emotional intelligence, signifying the movement from active suffering to reflective remembrance.

Using cicatriser correctly involves understanding its grammatical behavior and the specific contexts where it thrives. It is a regular '-er' verb, which makes its conjugation predictable, but its application varies depending on whether you are describing a physical process or a metaphorical one. Because it deals with the concept of change—from an open state to a closed state—it is often paired with temporal markers like 'lentement' (slowly), 'difficilement' (with difficulty), or 'enfin' (finally).

Intransitive Use: When the subject is the wound itself, the verb functions alone. 'La blessure cicatrise.' This is the most common way to describe a natural healing process.

Grâce aux soins attentifs de l'infirmière, son incision cicatrise très bien.

In the transitive form, an agent causes the healing. This is frequently seen in medical instructions or figurative language. For instance, 'Ce baume cicatrise les gerçures' (This balm heals chapping). Here, the balm is the active agent performing the action on the skin. In literature, you might see 'Le pardon cicatrise les cœurs brisés' (Forgiveness heals broken hearts). The abstract concept of 'forgiveness' is given the power to physically mend the emotional damage.

L'onguent que tu m'as donné a permis à ma brûlure de cicatriser sans laisser de trace.

The reflexive form se cicatriser is particularly useful when you want to emphasize the autonomous nature of the healing or when the subject is a person recovering from an ordeal. 'Il a fallu des années pour que sa peine se cicatrise.' This usage adds a layer of depth, suggesting that the healing was an internal process that the person had to undergo. It is also common in technical descriptions of nature, such as a forest recovering from a fire: 'La forêt se cicatrise après l'incendie'.

Common Adverbs: Pair it with 'proprement' (cleanly), 'mal' (poorly), or 'complètement' (completely) to add detail to how the healing is occurring.

Si tu ne touches pas à la croûte, la peau va cicatriser plus vite.

When writing, remember that cicatriser is a powerful verb because it implies a permanent change. Unlike 'réparer' (to fix), which suggests returning something to its original state, cicatriser acknowledges that a mark remains. Use it when you want to convey a sense of resilience and survival. In a business context, one might even say 'L'entreprise a réussi à cicatriser ses pertes', meaning they have stabilized after a financial blow, although the experience has left a lasting impact on their strategy.

You will encounter cicatriser in a variety of real-world French environments, ranging from the highly clinical to the deeply poetic. In everyday life, the most common place to hear it is at the pharmacy (la pharmacie) or the doctor's office (le cabinet du médecin). When a pharmacist hands you a tube of cream, they will likely say, 'C'est pour aider à cicatriser.' This is a standard part of medical advice in France, where there is a strong cultural emphasis on dermatological health and 'la parapharmacie' (non-prescription medical beauty products).

In the Media: News anchors often use the term when discussing social reconciliation. After a major strike or a divisive election, a journalist might ask, 'Comment cicatriser les fractures de la société française ?'

Le ministre a déclaré qu'il était temps de cicatriser les plaies ouvertes par le conflit social.

In French cinema and literature, the word is a staple of emotional drama. Characters often speak about their past traumas using this verb. In a classic 'film d'auteur', you might hear a protagonist whisper, 'Mes blessures ne cicatriseront jamais', expressing a profound sense of permanent heartbreak. This reflects the French literary tradition of exploring the 'stigmata' of experience. The word carries a weight that the English 'to heal' sometimes lacks, as it specifically evokes the image of the scar (la cicatrice) that remains as a witness to the pain.

Même si l'on pardonne, il faut du temps pour que la trahison puisse cicatriser.

You'll also find the word in the world of sports. When an athlete suffers a muscle tear (une déchirure musculaire), the physical therapist (le kiné) will talk about the time needed for the muscle fibers to cicatriser. In this context, it's a technical term for the biological recovery of the tissue. If you follow French sports news like 'L'Équipe', you'll see headlines like 'Sa blessure a du mal à cicatriser', explaining why a player might be out for longer than expected.

On Social Media: In the 'wellness' (bien-être) community, influencers use the term to talk about 'skin positivity' and the journey of healing acne scars or stretch marks.

L'important n'est pas d'effacer la marque, mais de laisser la peau cicatriser à son rythme.

In summary, cicatriser is not just a word for doctors. It is a word for anyone who has been through something difficult and is in the process of becoming 'whole' again, even if they are changed by the experience. Whether you're at a pharmacy in Paris or reading a political commentary in 'Le Monde', this word will help you understand the French perspective on recovery and resilience.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using cicatriser is confusing it with the general word for 'to heal', which is guérir. While they overlap, they are not interchangeable. Guérir is used for illnesses, diseases, or the general state of becoming healthy again (e.g., curing a cold or cancer). Cicatriser is strictly for the physical closing of a wound or the metaphorical resolution of a 'cut' or 'injury'. You would never say 'cicatriser d'une grippe' (to heal from a flu); you must use guérir.

The 'Scar' Confusion: In English, we often say 'it's scarring'. In French, if you say 'ça cicatrise', it's usually positive (it's healing). If you want to say it's leaving a bad scar, you need to specify 'ça cicatrise mal'.

Incorrect: J'espère que mon rhume va vite cicatriser.
Correct: J'espère que mon rhume va vite guérir.

Another common mistake involves the auxiliary verb in the past tense. English speakers often want to use 'être' (to be) because healing feels like a state of being. However, in the Passé Composé, cicatriser always takes 'avoir'. You say 'La plaie a cicatrisé' (The wound healed). If you say 'La plaie est cicatrisée', you are using 'cicatrisée' as an adjective to describe the current state of the wound (The wound is healed/scarred over), rather than the action itself.

Incorrect: La blessure est cicatrisé hier.
Correct: La blessure a cicatrisé hier.

Learners also struggle with the transitive vs. intransitive nature of the verb. In English, we might say 'The medicine healed the wound'. In French, you can say 'Le médicament a cicatrisé la plaie', but it's often more natural to say 'Le médicament a aidé la plaie à cicatriser' (The medicine helped the wound to heal). This slight shift in phrasing makes your French sound much more native and less like a direct translation from English.

Reflexive Overuse: While 'se cicatriser' is correct, don't use it for everything. If you are applying a cream, you are 'cicatrisant la plaie', not 'se cicatrisant' (unless you are the one healing yourself metaphorically).

Attention, si tu grattes la plaie, elle ne pourra pas cicatriser correctement.

Finally, be careful with the register. While cicatriser is perfectly fine in all registers, using it for very minor things (like a tiny papercut) might sound slightly formal or clinical. In very casual French, people might just say 'ça va passer' (it'll go away) or 'ça va se refermer' (it'll close up). Reserve cicatriser for when you want to be specific about the healing process or when the injury is significant enough to warrant a 'cicatrice'.

To truly master cicatriser, you must know its neighbors in the French vocabulary of 'healing'. French has several verbs that describe the process of getting better, and choosing the right one depends on the nature of the ailment and the desired nuance. Here, we compare cicatriser with its most common alternatives to help you pick the perfect word for every situation.

Guérir vs. Cicatriser: Guérir: General healing from illness (flu, fever, cancer). Focuses on the return to health.
Cicatriser: Specific healing of a physical or emotional wound. Focuses on the closing of the gap and the mark left behind.
Se refermer vs. Cicatriser: Se refermer: Literally 'to close again'. Used for wounds, but also for doors or hearts. It is more descriptive of the physical action of the edges coming together.
Cicatriser: More technical and permanent. It implies the whole biological process, not just the closing.

La coupure s'est vite refermée, mais elle a mis du temps à cicatriser vraiment.

Another interesting alternative is se rétablir. This is usually used for people rather than wounds. If you are 'en train de vous rétablir', you are recovering from an illness or an accident. It covers the whole person's state of being. In contrast, cicatriser is localized. You wouldn't say 'Je cicatrise d'un accident de voiture' unless you are specifically talking about the cuts you received. If you mean you are getting your strength back, use se rétablir or remonter la pente (to get back on one's feet).

Le temps apaise la douleur, ce qui permet à l'âme de cicatriser.

For emotional contexts, se remettre de (to get over something) is a very common informal alternative. 'Elle a eu du mal à se remettre de sa rupture' (She had a hard time getting over her breakup). Using cicatriser in this sentence ('Sa blessure amoureuse a eu du mal à cicatriser') makes it more dramatic and permanent, emphasizing that the experience left a 'scar' on her heart. Choose se remettre de for everyday resilience and cicatriser for deep, transformative healing.

Consolider vs. Cicatriser: Consolider: Used specifically for broken bones. You don't 'cicatrise' a bone; you 'consolide' it (it knits back together).
Cicatriser: Reserved for skin, organs, and metaphors.

Après la fracture, l'os doit se consolider, tandis que la peau autour doit cicatriser.

Understanding these distinctions will help you describe the nuances of recovery with the precision of a native speaker. Whether you are talking about a scraped knee, a broken heart, or a fractured society, choosing between cicatriser, guérir, and se refermer will show your mastery of the French language's emotional and physical depth.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word 'cicatrice' has remained almost unchanged for over 2,000 years, showing how fundamental the concept of scarring is to human experience. In ancient surgery, 'cicatriser' was considered a mark of a successful treatment.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /si.ka.tʁi.ze/

US /si.kə.tɹi.ze/

Stress is on the final syllable '-zer', as is standard in French.

Reimt sich auf

briser user mépriser viser autoriser réaliser organiser apprivoiser

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the final 'r' (it is silent).
Using a hard 's' instead of a 'z' sound for the 's'.
Missing the second 'i' and saying 'cicatrer'.
Pronouncing 'ci' as 'ki'.
Making the 'a' sound too long like in 'father'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the English 'cicatrix' and medical roots.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires remembering the 's' and the correct auxiliary in past tense.

Sprechen 3/5

The French 'r' and the soft 's' (z sound) take some practice.

Hören 2/5

Distinctive sound makes it relatively easy to catch in speech.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

peau blessure mal aider temps

Als Nächstes lernen

guérir cicatrice apaiser rétablir souffrance

Fortgeschritten

stygmate résilience suture traumatisme convalescence

Wichtige Grammatik

Regular -er verb conjugation in the present tense.

Je cicatrise, tu cicatrisas, il cicatrise...

Passé Composé with 'avoir'.

La plaie a cicatrisé (not est cicatrisé).

Reflexive verbs for internal processes.

La blessure se cicatrise doucement.

Subjunctive after verbs of waiting or necessity.

Il faut que ça cicatrise.

Using 'à' after 'aider'.

Cela aide la peau à cicatriser.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Ma coupure va cicatriser.

My cut is going to heal.

Future proche using 'aller' + infinitive.

La plaie cicatrise bien.

The wound is healing well.

Present tense of a regular -er verb.

Le docteur regarde si ça cicatrise.

The doctor looks to see if it's healing.

Use of 'si' (if/whether) in a subordinate clause.

Il faut aider la peau à cicatriser.

One must help the skin to heal.

Impersonal 'il faut' + infinitive.

Ça ne cicatrise pas vite.

It is not healing fast.

Negative structure 'ne... pas'.

Est-ce que ça va cicatriser ?

Is it going to heal?

Question form using 'est-ce que'.

Maman, ça cicatrise !

Mom, it's healing!

Exclamatory sentence in present tense.

Le pansement aide à cicatriser.

The bandage helps to heal.

Verb 'aider' followed by 'à' + infinitive.

Sa blessure au genou a vite cicatrisé.

His knee injury healed quickly.

Passé composé with auxiliary 'avoir'.

Applique cette crème pour mieux cicatriser.

Apply this cream to heal better.

Imperative mood for giving advice.

Si tu grattes, ça ne va pas cicatriser.

If you scratch, it won't heal.

Conditional 'if' clause (Si + present, futur).

La cicatrice commence à se cicatriser.

The scar is starting to heal up.

Reflexive form 'se cicatriser'.

Mon chat a une plaie qui cicatrise.

My cat has a wound that is healing.

Relative clause with 'qui'.

Nous attendons que la plaie cicatrise.

We are waiting for the wound to heal.

Subjunctive present after 'attendre que'.

Elle a utilisé un produit cicatrisant.

She used a healing product.

Using the present participle as an adjective.

Après l'opération, tout a bien cicatrisé.

After the surgery, everything healed well.

Adverb 'bien' placed after the auxiliary.

Le temps finira par cicatriser sa peine.

Time will eventually heal his sorrow.

Metaphorical use in the future tense.

Il est difficile de cicatriser après une trahison.

It is difficult to heal after a betrayal.

Infinitive as a subject with 'il est + adjective'.

Cette musique l'aide à cicatriser ses blessures intérieures.

This music helps him heal his inner wounds.

Transitive use with an abstract object.

Bien que la plaie soit fermée, elle n'a pas fini de cicatriser.

Although the wound is closed, it hasn't finished healing.

Subjunctive after 'bien que'.

On dit que l'océan aide le corps à se cicatriser.

They say the ocean helps the body heal itself.

Reflexive use in a general statement.

Sa peau cicatrise lentement à cause du froid.

His skin heals slowly because of the cold.

Cause indicated by 'à cause de'.

Elle espère que son cœur cicatrisera un jour.

She hopes her heart will heal one day.

Future tense expressing hope.

Le chirurgien a fait en sorte que l'incision cicatrise proprement.

The surgeon ensured the incision healed cleanly.

Structure 'faire en sorte que' + subjunctive.

Le pays tente de cicatriser les plaies de la guerre civile.

The country is trying to heal the wounds of the civil war.

Political/Historical metaphor.

Une telle insulte mettra des années à cicatriser.

Such an insult will take years to heal.

Future tense with duration 'mettre des années à'.

Le pardon est le seul moyen de cicatriser véritablement.

Forgiveness is the only way to truly heal.

Adverb 'véritablement' for emphasis.

Sa rancœur a empêché la relation de cicatriser.

His resentment prevented the relationship from healing.

Verb 'empêcher' with 'de' + infinitive.

L'entreprise doit cicatriser ses pertes avant de réinvestir.

The company must heal its losses before reinvesting.

Economic metaphor.

Il est crucial que la société cicatrise ses divisions.

It is crucial that society heals its divisions.

Subjunctive after 'il est crucial que'.

La nature cicatrise les traces de l'activité humaine.

Nature heals the traces of human activity.

Environmental metaphor.

Elle a écrit ce livre pour cicatriser son passé.

She wrote this book to heal her past.

Purpose clause with 'pour'.

L'œuvre d'art agit comme un baume pour cicatriser l'esprit.

The work of art acts as a balm to heal the mind.

Simile using 'comme'.

Certaines blessures historiques ne cicatrisent jamais totalement.

Some historical wounds never fully heal.

Adverb 'totalement' modifying the verb.

Il faut une volonté politique forte pour cicatriser ces fractures.

Strong political will is needed to heal these fractures.

Abstract noun 'fractures' as object.

La résilience permet à l'individu de se cicatriser malgré l'adversité.

Resilience allows the individual to heal despite adversity.

Reflexive form with 'permettre à... de'.

L'architecture peut aider à cicatriser le tissu urbain dégradé.

Architecture can help heal the degraded urban fabric.

Technical metaphor 'tissu urbain'.

Sa poésie tente de cicatriser l'indicible.

His poetry attempts to heal the unspeakable.

Substantive adjective 'l'indicible'.

Le dialogue est l'instrument qui cicatrise les différends.

Dialogue is the instrument that heals disputes.

Relative clause defining a tool.

Sans reconnaissance du tort, la plaie ne pourra cicatriser.

Without acknowledgment of the wrong, the wound will not be able to heal.

Conditional sense without 'si'.

Le processus de deuil n'est qu'une longue tentative de cicatriser l'absence.

The grieving process is but a long attempt to heal the absence.

Restrictive 'ne... que' structure.

La mémoire collective peine à cicatriser les traumatismes du siècle dernier.

Collective memory struggles to heal the traumas of the last century.

Verb 'peiner à' indicating difficulty.

L'écriture devient alors une suture visant à cicatriser le moi fragmenté.

Writing then becomes a suture aimed at healing the fragmented self.

Complex psychological metaphor.

Elle scrutait sa peau, attendant que le temps cicatrise l'outrage du scalpel.

She scrutinized her skin, waiting for time to heal the outrage of the scalpel.

Literary personification 'outrage du scalpel'.

Il est illusoire de croire que le temps puisse tout cicatriser sans effort.

It is illusory to believe that time can heal everything without effort.

Subjunctive 'puisse' after a verb of belief in the negative/doubtful.

La diplomatie agit ici pour cicatriser une rupture géopolitique majeure.

Diplomacy acts here to heal a major geopolitical rupture.

High-level political context.

L'oubli n'est pas la cicatrisation, mais son simulacre.

Forgetting is not healing, but its sham.

Philosophical distinction.

Chaque mot prononcé semblait cicatriser un peu plus leur discorde.

Each word spoken seemed to heal their discord a little more.

Verb 'sembler' + infinitive.

Häufige Kollokationen

cicatriser vite

cicatriser mal

cicatriser proprement

aider à cicatriser

peine à cicatriser

laisser cicatriser

cicatriser les plaies

difficile à cicatriser

faire cicatriser

commencer à cicatriser

Häufige Phrasen

Laisser le temps cicatriser les choses

— To let time heal things. Used when someone is going through a hard time.

Ne sois pas pressé, laisse le temps cicatriser les choses.

Une plaie qui ne cicatrise pas

— A wound that won't heal. Often used for chronic problems or deep trauma.

Leur dispute est une plaie qui ne cicatrise pas.

Cicatriser une blessure d'amour

— To heal a heartbreak. Describes the recovery after a romantic loss.

Il est parti en voyage pour cicatriser sa blessure d'amour.

Aider la nature à cicatriser

— To help nature heal. Used in environmental or medical contexts.

Nous plantons des arbres pour aider la nature à cicatriser.

Cicatriser les fractures sociales

— To heal social divides. A common political term.

Le nouveau président veut cicatriser les fractures sociales.

Une cicatrice mal cicatrisée

— A poorly healed scar. Refers to a physical mark that didn't mend well.

Il a une bosse à cause d'une coupure mal cicatrisée.

Cicatriser en profondeur

— To heal deeply. Implies a thorough recovery.

Cette thérapie l'a aidé à cicatriser en profondeur.

Cicatriser à l'air libre

— To heal in the open air. Medical advice for certain types of cuts.

Le médecin a dit de laisser la plaie cicatriser à l'air libre.

Cicatriser ses pertes

— To recover from losses. Used in business or gambling.

La banque a enfin réussi à cicatriser ses pertes.

Cicatriser les mémoires

— To heal memories. Refers to national reconciliation after trauma.

Le musée aide à cicatriser les mémoires de la guerre.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

cicatriser vs guérir

Guérir is for diseases/flu; cicatriser is for wounds/cuts.

cicatriser vs se refermer

Se refermer is just the physical closing; cicatriser is the whole healing process.

cicatriser vs consolider

Consolider is for bones; cicatriser is for skin and organs.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Le temps cicatrise tout"

— Time heals all wounds. A very common saying about emotional recovery.

Ne t'inquiète pas, le temps cicatrise tout.

informal/neutral

"Cicatriser ses plaies"

— To lick one's wounds / To recover. Often used after a defeat.

L'équipe est rentrée au vestiaire pour cicatriser ses plaies.

neutral

"Remuer le couteau dans la plaie"

— To rub salt in the wound (literally: to stir the knife in the wound). The opposite of cicatriser.

Arrête de lui parler de son ex, tu remues le couteau dans la plaie.

informal

"Une plaie béante"

— A gaping wound. Used for something that is far from being cicatrisé.

La pauvreté reste une plaie béante dans cette ville.

formal

"Cicatriser à vif"

— To heal while the pain is still fresh. Implies a difficult process.

Il a dû cicatriser à vif après le départ de sa femme.

literary

"Avoir la peau dure"

— To be thick-skinned. Implies that one cicatrise easily or doesn't get hurt.

Il s'en sortira, il a la peau dure.

informal

"Cicatriser par le haut"

— To heal by moving forward or choosing a noble path.

Elle a choisi de cicatriser par le haut en aidant les autres.

philosophical

"Une cicatrice de guerre"

— A battle scar. Can be literal or metaphorical for life's struggles.

Ses rides sont ses cicatrices de guerre.

neutral

"Cicatriser le passé"

— To put the past behind oneself. Similar to 'turning the page'.

Il est temps de cicatriser le passé et de regarder devant.

neutral

"Cicatriser les cœurs"

— To heal hearts. Often used in religious or poetic contexts.

Sa bonté a le pouvoir de cicatriser les cœurs.

poetic

Leicht verwechselbar

cicatriser vs guérir

Both mean 'to heal' in English.

Guérir implies a return to a healthy state from illness, while cicatriser specifically means a wound closing and scarring.

On guérit d'un rhume, mais on cicatrise d'une brûlure.

cicatriser vs se rétablir

Both relate to recovery.

Se rétablir is used for a person's general health (getting better after surgery), whereas cicatriser is for the wound itself.

Il se rétablit bien, sa plaie a fini de cicatriser.

cicatriser vs réparer

Both involve fixing something broken.

Réparer is for objects or mistakes; cicatriser is for biological tissue or deep emotional wounds.

On répare un vélo, on cicatrise une entaille.

cicatriser vs apaiser

Both feel like making things better.

Apaiser is to reduce pain or tension; cicatriser is the permanent mending of the injury.

La glace apaise la douleur, mais le temps cicatrise la plaie.

cicatriser vs suturer

Both are medical terms for wounds.

Suturer is the act of stitching a wound; cicatriser is the natural process that follows.

Le médecin suture la plaie pour qu'elle puisse mieux cicatriser.

Satzmuster

La [blessure] cicatrise.

La coupure cicatrise.

Ça va cicatriser avec [produit/temps].

Ça va cicatriser avec cette crème.

Il faut du temps pour cicatriser [émotion].

Il faut du temps pour cicatriser sa tristesse.

Le [sujet] aide à cicatriser les plaies de [conflit].

Le dialogue aide à cicatriser les plaies de la guerre.

Une blessure qui peine à se cicatriser.

C'est une blessure qui peine à se cicatriser dans nos mémoires.

L'acte de [action] vise à cicatriser le [concept fragmenté].

L'acte d'écrire vise à cicatriser le moi fragmenté.

Bien que [sujet] [verbe au subjonctif], cela cicatrise.

Bien que ce soit profond, cela cicatrise.

J'ai [verbe] pour aider à cicatriser.

J'ai mis un pansement pour aider à cicatriser.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

cicatrice (scar)

cicatrisation (healing process)

cicatrisant (healing agent)

Verben

cicatriser (to heal)

se cicatriser (to heal oneself/itself)

Adjektive

cicatriciel (scar-related)

cicatrisable (able to be healed)

cicatrisé (healed/scarred)

Verwandt

plaie (wound)

blessure (injury)

guérison (cure)

suture (stitch)

baume (balm)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in medical and emotional contexts.

Häufige Fehler

Using 'être' in Passé Composé. → Ma plaie a cicatrisé.
Even though it feels like a change of state, 'cicatriser' always takes 'avoir' as the auxiliary verb.
Using it for a cold or fever. → Je guéris de ma grippe.
Cicatriser is only for physical wounds or emotional 'cuts'. Use 'guérir' for illnesses.
Saying 'cicatrer' instead of 'cicatriser'. → cicatriser
Don't forget the 'is' in the middle. It comes from 'cicatrice'.
Pronouncing the final 'r'. → si-ka-tri-zay
The 'er' ending in French verbs is pronounced like 'ay'. The 'r' is silent.
Using it for broken bones. → Mon os se consolide.
Bones don't 'cicatrise'; they 'consolident' or 'se soudent'.

Tipps

Learn the family

Don't just learn the verb! Learn 'une cicatrice' (a scar) and 'la cicatrisation' (the healing process) at the same time to boost your fluency.

Auxiliary Check

Always use 'avoir' in the past. If you use 'être', you are describing the wound as an adjective (it is already healed).

The Soft S

Remember that the 's' between two vowels (i and e) sounds like a 'z'. It's 'si-ka-tri-ZAY'.

Metaphor Mastery

Use this word when talking about past traumas to sound more like a native speaker who understands the 'weight' of experience.

Pharmacy Talk

If you have a cut, ask for 'quelque chose pour aider à cicatriser'. The pharmacist will know exactly what you need.

Avoid Guérir for Cuts

In your essays, use 'cicatriser' for injuries. It shows a higher level of vocabulary precision than 'guérir'.

News Context

When you hear this in the news, look for words like 'conflit' or 'passé' to understand the metaphorical meaning.

The Scar Philosophy

Remember that in French, 'cicatriser' acknowledges that the event happened. It's about moving on with your history, not erasing it.

Medical Link

Link it to the English 'cicatrix'. If you know medical English, this word is already halfway in your brain!

Daily Reflection

At the end of a hard day, tell yourself 'Je vais cicatriser'. It's a great way to practice the reflexive form and self-encouragement.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Imagine a 'CAT' (ca) in a 'TREE' (tri) that got a scratch. You need to 'SEE' (ci) if it will 'Z' (zer) - cicatriser!

Visuelle Assoziation

Picture a jagged red line turning into a smooth white line. That transition is 'cicatriser'.

Word Web

peau blessure temps crème médecin douleur pardon souvenir

Herausforderung

Try to use 'cicatriser' in a sentence about a historical event and then in a sentence about a skincare routine.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Latin 'cicatricare', which comes from 'cicatrix' (scar). It entered the French language in the 14th century.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To cover with a scar.

Romance (Latin root).

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using it metaphorically with someone who has experienced severe trauma; it implies that a scar will remain, which might be sensitive for some.

English speakers often just say 'heal', which is broader. In French, using 'cicatriser' shows a more precise understanding of physical vs. medical recovery.

Victor Hugo often used the imagery of scars and healing in his poems. The film 'La Vie en Rose' depicts the emotional 'cicatrisation' of Edith Piaf. French political speeches frequently use 'cicatriser la France' during times of crisis.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Medical / Pharmacy

Est-ce que ça va cicatriser ?
Une crème pour cicatriser.
La plaie a cicatrisé.
Aider la cicatrisation.

Emotional / Relationships

Cicatriser ses blessures.
Le temps cicatrise tout.
Un cœur qui cicatrise.
Une peine difficile à cicatriser.

Politics / Society

Cicatriser la nation.
Les plaies de l'histoire.
Cicatriser les divisions.
Un passé mal cicatrisé.

Skincare / Beauty

Cicatriser les boutons.
Soin cicatrisant.
Éviter les cicatrices.
Cicatriser après un tatouage.

Nature / Environment

La forêt cicatrise.
Cicatriser le paysage.
L'écosystème se cicatrise.
Traces qui cicatrisent.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Combien de temps a mis ta blessure pour cicatriser ?"

"Penses-tu que le temps peut vraiment tout cicatriser ?"

"Quelle est la meilleure crème pour aider à cicatriser, selon toi ?"

"Est-il possible de cicatriser une amitié brisée ?"

"Comment la société peut-elle cicatriser après une crise ?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Décrivez une blessure (physique ou émotionnelle) qui a mis longtemps à cicatriser.

Que signifie pour vous l'expression 'Le temps cicatrise tout' ?

Y a-t-il une cicatrice sur votre corps qui raconte une histoire intéressante ?

Comment aidez-vous vos amis à cicatriser après un moment difficile ?

Réfléchissez à une situation mondiale qui a besoin de cicatriser aujourd'hui.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, for bones you should use 'se consolider'. Cicatriser is for skin, organs, or metaphorical 'wounds' like a broken heart.

It is neutral. You can use it with a doctor, a friend, or in a book. It's the standard word for this process.

They are very similar. 'La plaie cicatrise' is simple, while 'La plaie se cicatrise' emphasizes the internal process. Both are correct.

Yes, the word implies the formation of 'tissu cicatriciel' (scar tissue), even if it's a very faint or invisible scar.

No. You must say 'guérir d'une maladie'. Cicatriser is only for 'plaies' (wounds) or 'blessures' (injuries).

You can say 'Ça cicatrise bien' or 'La plaie cicatrise bien'.

It is a healing cream specifically designed to help the skin repair itself and minimize scarring.

Yes, it is very common in French to talk about 'cicatriser les blessures du cœur' (healing the wounds of the heart).

It uses 'avoir'. For example: 'Sa blessure a cicatrisé'.

Yes, you can 'cicatriser une plaie' (to heal a wound), though it's often used intransitively ('la plaie cicatrise').

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