un microbe
When talking about microorganisms in French, you'll often encounter un microbe. This word is a general term and can refer to bacteria, viruses, or other microscopic organisms. It's commonly used in everyday language, particularly when discussing health or hygiene. For instance, you might hear someone say they're trying to avoid catching a microbe, or that they're cleaning surfaces to kill microbes. While more specific terms exist in scientific contexts, un microbe is perfectly suitable for general conversation.
Schwierigkeitsgrad
short and direct
short and direct
common sound patterns
clear pronunciation
Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest
Voraussetzungen
Als Nächstes lernen
Fortgeschritten
Wichtige Grammatik
Nouns in French have a gender (masculine or feminine). 'Un microbe' is masculine, indicated by the indefinite article 'un'.
Il a attrapé **un** microbe. (He caught **a** germ.)
The indefinite articles 'un' (masculine singular), 'une' (feminine singular), and 'des' (plural for both genders) are used to refer to a non-specific noun.
**Un** microbe peut être très petit. (**A** germ can be very small.)
To make a singular noun plural, generally add an '-s' to the end of the word. For 'un microbe', the plural is 'des microbes'.
Il y a beaucoup de **microbes** dans l'eau. (There are many **germs** in the water.)
Adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. Since 'microbe' is masculine singular, adjectives describing it will also be masculine singular.
C'est un microbe **dangereux**. (It's a **dangerous** germ.)
Possessive adjectives (e.g., mon, ton, son) also agree in gender and number with the noun they precede. For 'un microbe', you would use 'mon', 'ton', 'son', etc.
**Son** microbe le rend malade. (**His/Her** germ makes him/her sick.)
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
"Tuer le microbe dans l'œuf"
To nip the evil in the bud
Il faut tuer le microbe dans l'œuf avant que le problème ne s'aggrave. (We must nip the problem in the bud before it gets worse.)
neutral"Attraper un microbe"
To catch a bug/germ
J'ai attrapé un microbe et je ne me sens pas bien. (I caught a bug and I'm not feeling well.)
neutral"Un vrai microbe"
A real rascal (referring to a child)
Ce petit est un vrai microbe, il ne tient jamais en place. (This little one is a real rascal, he never stays still.)
informal"Propager les microbes"
To spread germs
Lavez-vous les mains pour ne pas propager les microbes. (Wash your hands so you don't spread germs.)
neutral"Peur des microbes"
Germophobia
Elle a une peur des microbes et se désinfecte les mains tout le temps. (She has germophobia and disinfects her hands all the time.)
neutral"Un bouillon de microbes"
A breeding ground for germs
Cette éponge est un bouillon de microbes si elle n'est pas nettoyée. (This sponge is a breeding ground for germs if it's not cleaned.)
neutral"Lutter contre les microbes"
To fight germs
Notre corps lutte constamment contre les microbes. (Our body is constantly fighting germs.)
neutral"Les microbes sont partout"
Germs are everywhere
Les microbes sont partout, il faut être vigilant. (Germs are everywhere, you have to be vigilant.)
neutral"Être un microbe"
To be tiny/insignificant (rarely used, usually negative connotation)
Face à l'immensité de l'univers, nous ne sommes que des microbes. (Compared to the immensity of the universe, we are just tiny/insignificant.)
neutral"Un microbe tenace"
A persistent bug/germ
J'ai un microbe tenace qui ne veut pas partir. (I have a persistent bug that doesn't want to go away.)
neutralVerwandte Inhalte
Mehr health Wörter
à condition de
B1On condition that; provided that.
à court terme
B1Short-term, over a short period of time.
à jeun
B1On an empty stomach, before eating.
à l'abri
B1Sheltered; safe from danger or harm.
à l'aide de
A2With the help of, by means of.
à l'encontre de
B1Against; contrary to (e.g., advice, rules).
à l'hôpital
B1Located or being in a hospital.
à long terme
B1Long-term, over a long period of time.
à risque
B1At risk of harm, illness, or danger.
à titre
B1As a (e.g., as a preventive measure); by way of.
