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A2 noun 10 min de lectura

gencive

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos gencive en 30 segundos

Explicación gencive in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn the names of body parts. You might learn 'la bouche' (the mouth) and 'les dents' (the teeth) first. The word gencive is a bit more specific, but it is useful for basic health descriptions. You should know that it is a feminine noun ('la gencive') and that it is located inside your mouth. You might use it in very simple sentences like 'J'ai mal à la gencive' (My gum hurts). At this stage, focus on the spelling and the fact that it is different from 'gomme' (eraser/chewing gum). You don't need to know complex medical terms yet, just how to point to it and name it if you are at the doctor or dentist. It is part of the basic vocabulary for 'le corps humain' (the human body). You should also practice the pronunciation, making sure the 'g' is soft like a 'j'.

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At the A2 level, you can begin to describe simple symptoms and daily routines. This is the level where gencive becomes very practical. You might talk about brushing your teeth ('se brosser les dents') and mentions that you should also brush your gums. You can use adjectives to describe the state of your gums, such as 'rouge' (red) or 'sensible' (sensitive). You will learn to use the plural 'les gencives' when talking about them in general. You might also encounter this word in the context of taking care of a baby who is teething. You should be able to understand a simple instruction from a dentist, like 'Brossez doucement vos gencives'. You are moving beyond just naming the part to describing its condition in everyday situations. Understanding the difference between 'la dent' and 'la gencive' is crucial here for clear communication.

At the B1 level, you are expected to handle more detailed conversations about health and well-being. You can explain a problem in more detail to a professional. Instead of just saying it hurts, you might say 'Ma gencive saigne quand je me brosse les dents' (My gum bleeds when I brush my teeth). You will start to see the word in health-related articles or advertisements for dental products. You can discuss the causes of gum pain, such as 'une infection' or 'une irritation'. You should also be comfortable using 'la gencive' in the context of reflexive verbs and body part grammar, like 'Il s'est blessé à la gencive'. This level requires a better grasp of how the word fits into more complex sentence structures and a wider variety of contexts, such as describing the texture or appearance of healthy versus unhealthy tissue.

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At the B2 level, you can understand more technical discussions and express opinions on health topics. You might read an article about the link between 'la santé des gencives' and general health. You will be familiar with related terms like 'gingivite' or 'tartre' (tartar). You can use the word in more abstract or professional contexts, such as discussing the importance of dental hygiene in schools. Your vocabulary should include more specific verbs like 'se rétracter' (to recede) or 'cicatriser' (to heal/scar). You can follow a dentist's explanation of a procedure, such as a deep cleaning or a graft ('une greffe de gencive'). At this stage, you should also be aware of the register, using 'gencive' correctly in both formal medical settings and informal family conversations without confusion.

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At the C1 level, you have a nuanced understanding of the word and its place in various specialized fields. You can participate in complex discussions about dental surgery, periodontics, or the biological makeup of 'la gencive'. You understand the subtle differences between 'gencive attachée' (attached gingiva) and 'muqueuse alvéolaire'. You can read scientific journals or high-level health reports in French that use 'gencive' as a fundamental term. You are also likely to encounter the word in more literary or descriptive contexts, where it might be used to describe someone's smile or a physical trait in detail. Your command of the grammar is perfect, and you can use the word fluently in any rhetorical situation, whether you are arguing for better health insurance coverage for dental care or explaining a complex biological process.

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At the C2 level, you have total mastery of the word gencive. You can use it with the precision of a native professional. You understand all its metaphorical possibilities, even if they are rare, and you are familiar with its etymology from the Latin 'gingiva'. You can switch between technical medical jargon and everyday language effortlessly. You might even know historical contexts of how dental care has evolved in France and how terms like 'gencive' have been used in medical history. There is no nuance of the word—whether it relates to its phonology, its syntax in complex legal or medical documents, or its cultural connotations—that you do not grasp. You can write academic papers or give professional presentations in French where the health of the 'gencive' is a central theme, demonstrating a level of sophistication indistinguishable from a native speaker.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

gencive en 30 segundos

The French word 'gencive' refers to the anatomical gum tissue in the mouth, essential for dental health and protection.
It is a feminine noun ('la gencive') and is frequently used in the plural ('les gencives') when discussing general health.
Commonly heard at the dentist or pharmacy, it's associated with symptoms like bleeding (saignement) and swelling (gonflement).
Do not confuse it with 'gomme' (eraser/chewing gum); 'gencive' is strictly the biological tissue surrounding the teeth.

The French word gencive (pronounced /ʒɑ̃.siv/) is a feminine noun that refers to the 'gum' in English—the firm, pinkish fleshy tissue that surrounds the base of the teeth in the human mouth. While it may seem like a purely medical or anatomical term, it is a common word in everyday French, especially when discussing health, hygiene, or physical sensations. Understanding the role of the gencive is essential for navigating French medical contexts, such as a visit to the dentist (le dentiste). In French culture, dental hygiene is taken seriously, and terms related to gum health are frequently heard in television advertisements for toothpaste (dentifrice) or mouthwash (bain de bouche).

Anatomy: The gencive is the mucosal tissue that covers the alveolar bone of the jaw. Its primary function is to provide a seal around the teeth to prevent bacteria from reaching the deeper structures of the mouth.

Si vous brossez vos dents trop fort, vous risquez d'irriter votre gencive et de la faire saigner.

When people use this word, they are often describing a specific physical state. For instance, 'gencives gonflées' (swollen gums) or 'gencives sensibles' (sensitive gums) are common complaints. It is also used in the plural, les gencives, because we have both upper and lower gums. In a more metaphorical or descriptive sense, one might talk about a baby whose first teeth are about to break through the gums. The health of the gencive is seen as a reflection of overall health in many French medical perspectives.

Common Contexts: Dental appointments, pharmacy consultations, and discussions about infant teething are the primary scenarios where this word is used.

Le dentiste examine l'état de la gencive pour détecter tout signe de gingivite.

Furthermore, the word appears in scientific literature regarding 'la santé gingivale' (gingival health). In everyday life, if you have a toothache, the pain might actually be originating in the gencive. It is a word that bridges the gap between technical biology and daily self-care. It is important to note that the French do not use 'gum' in the sense of 'chewing gum' (which is chewing-gum or gomme in some regions) to refer to this tissue. The distinction is absolute.

Symptoms: Saignement (bleeding), rougeur (redness), and gonflement (swelling) are the three most common descriptors paired with this noun.

Une gencive saine doit être de couleur rose pâle et ne pas saigner lors du brossage.

In summary, whether you are buying a soft toothbrush (une brosse à dents souple) because your gums are tender or explaining a dental issue to a professional, gencive is the specific, accurate, and necessary term to use. It carries a sense of physical vulnerability and the necessity of care, reflecting the importance of oral health in the Francophone world.

Using gencive correctly involves understanding its gender and its typical grammatical pairings. As a feminine noun, it requires feminine adjectives and articles. For example, you would say la gencive supérieure (the upper gum) or les gencives douloureuses (painful gums). Because we have gums throughout our mouth, it is very frequently used in the plural.

Subject of a Sentence: When the gum is the focus, it often performs actions like 'saigner' (to bleed) or 'se rétracter' (to recede).

Ma gencive me fait mal depuis ce matin, je pense que j'ai une infection.

When describing the state of the gums, use the verb 'avoir' followed by an adjective. For example, 'J'ai les gencives rouges.' This follows the standard French pattern for describing body parts where the definite article (les) is used instead of the possessive adjective (mes) when the owner is already clear from the subject.

Direct Object: You act upon the gums when cleaning or treating them. Verbs like 'masser' (to massage) or 'soigner' (to treat) are common.

Il est important de brosser doucement la gencive pour éliminer la plaque dentaire.

In a medical or technical context, you might see the word used in compound nouns or with specific medical adjectives. 'Récession de la gencive' (gum recession) is a term you might hear during a check-up. Another common use is in the context of infants: 'la poussée des gencives' refers to the process of teething.

Prepositional Phrases: Often used with 'contre' (against) or 'sur' (on) when describing where something is located in relation to the gum.

L'appareil dentaire frotte contre ma gencive, ce qui crée une petite plaie.

Finally, remember that the word is always singular when referring to the tissue type itself but plural when referring to the actual physical areas in the mouth. If you say 'J'ai une inflammation de la gencive', it sounds like a general diagnosis. If you say 'Mes gencives sont rouges', it is a specific observation about your own body.

The most frequent place to encounter the word gencive is undoubtedly at the dentist's office. In France, dental health is a significant part of the public health system, and regular check-ups (visites de contrôle) are encouraged. A dentist might say, 'Vos gencives sont un peu irritées' (Your gums are a bit irritated). You will also hear it in pharmacies. Unlike in some countries, French pharmacists (pharmaciens) are highly trained medical advisors. If you ask for something for a mouth sore, they will likely ask, 'Est-ce que c'est sur la dent ou sur la gencive?'

Advertising: Television and radio ads for brands like Parodontax or Sensodyne frequently mention 'la protection des gencives'.

'Pour des gencives plus fortes en seulement sept jours, utilisez notre nouveau dentifrice.'

Parents of young children use this word constantly. Teething is a major milestone in an infant's life, and French parents will discuss 'le dédoublement des gencives' or how the baby's gums are 'travaillées' (working/active). You might hear a mother say, 'Le pauvre bébé a les gencives toutes rouges à cause des dents qui percent.'

News and Health Articles: Health magazines like 'Top Santé' often feature articles on how gum health affects heart health, using 'la gencive' as a key term.

L'article explique que prendre soin de sa gencive est crucial pour prévenir des maladies plus graves.

In sports, particularly contact sports like rugby or boxing, you might hear about 'protège-dents' (mouthguards) that protect both the teeth and the gencives. A coach might warn a player to make sure their guard covers the gencive properly.

Elderly Care: In the context of dentures (prothèses dentaires), the fit against the gencive is a frequent topic of conversation.

Ma grand-mère doit mettre de la crème adhésive pour que son dentier ne blesse pas sa gencive.

In essence, gencive is a practical, everyday noun. It is not slangy or overly formal; it is simply the standard word for that part of the body. Whether in a clinical setting, a family discussion about a baby, or a commercial break, you will hear it used whenever oral health is the topic.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing gencive with 'gomme'. In English, 'gum' can mean the anatomical tissue or 'chewing gum'. In French, these are two completely different words. If you tell a dentist 'J'ai mal à ma gomme', they will be very confused, as gomme usually refers to an eraser or a gummy candy. Always use gencive for the mouth tissue.

Gender Confusion: Many learners mistakenly treat 'gencive' as masculine. It is feminine: 'la gencive', not 'le gencive'.

Faux: Mon gencive est rouge.
Correct: Ma gencive est rouge.

Another error is the pronunciation of the initial 'g'. In French, 'g' followed by 'e' or 'i' makes a soft 'j' sound (like the 's' in 'pleasure'), not a hard 'g' sound like in 'go'. Some learners pronounce it as 'gan-sive' with a hard G, but it should be 'jan-sive'.

Plural vs. Singular: English speakers often say 'my gum' (singular) to refer to the whole mouth area. In French, it is more natural to use the plural 'les gencives' when speaking generally about your mouth.

Si vous voulez parler de votre santé buccale, dites : 'Je prends soin de mes gencives'.

Misusing possessive adjectives is another hurdle. As mentioned in the grammar section, French often uses 'le/la/les' with body parts when the subject is the owner. Saying 'Ma gencive saigne' is grammatically correct but 'J'ai la gencive qui saigne' is much more idiomatic and common among native speakers.

Spelling: Note the 'c' in the middle. Some learners try to spell it with an 's' (gensive), but the 'c' is essential for the correct spelling and the soft 's' sound it produces before the 'i'.

N'oubliez pas le 'c' : g-e-n-c-i-v-e. C'est la même racine que 'gingivite'.

Finally, avoid using 'gencive' to describe the 'gum' of a stamp or an envelope. That is 'la gomme' or 'la partie adhésive'. Gencive is strictly for flesh and bone in the mouth. By keeping these distinctions in mind, you will avoid the most common pitfalls and sound much more like a native speaker.

While gencive is the most precise word, there are other terms you might encounter depending on the context—whether medical, informal, or anatomical. Understanding these alternatives helps you build a more robust vocabulary.

Parodonte: This is a technical, medical term used by dentists. It refers to the entire supporting structure of the teeth, including the gum, the cementum, and the alveolar bone. You will hear this in terms like 'parodontologie' (periodontics).

Le spécialiste a examiné mon parodonte pour voir si l'infection avait atteint l'os.

Another related word is chair (flesh). While not a synonym, someone might say 'la chair de la gencive' to describe the soft part of the gum tissue, though this is less common than just using 'gencive' itself.

Muqueuse buccale: This refers to the entire lining of the mouth. The gencive is a specific part of the 'muqueuse buccale'. You might hear this in a more general medical diagnosis.

L'inflammation s'est propagée de la gencive à toute la muqueuse buccale.

In terms of medical conditions, you will often hear gingivite (gingivitis). This is the noun for the inflammation of the gencive. Similarly, the adjective gingival is used to describe anything related to the gums, such as 'le sillon gingival' (the gingival sulcus/groove).

Alvéole: The socket in the jawbone where the tooth sits. While the gum covers this area, the 'alvéole' is the bone structure underneath.

Après l'extraction, la gencive doit cicatriser au-dessus de l'alvéole vide.

Finally, when comparing French to English, remember that 'gum' (chewing gum) is chewing-gum or gomme à mâcher. Never use 'gencive' to refer to something you eat. By understanding these related terms, you can better describe oral issues and understand dental professionals when they use more technical language.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The word has remained remarkably stable for centuries, changing very little from its Latin ancestor to modern French.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /ʒɑ̃.siv/

US /ʒɑ̃.siv/

In French, the stress is generally even, but a slight emphasis falls on the last syllable: gen-CIVE.

Rima con

lessive missive poussive excessive passive active native captive

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the 'g' as a hard G like in 'goat'.
Pronouncing the 'en' as a clear 'n' instead of a nasal vowel.
Forgetting that the 'c' is soft before 'i'.
Treating it as a masculine word.
Confusing it with 'gomme'.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize in context, especially if you know the English 'gingivitis'.

Escritura 3/5

Spelling with a 'c' and remembering the feminine gender can be tricky.

Expresión oral 3/5

The nasal 'en' and soft 'g' require practice.

Escucha 2/5

Generally clear, but can be missed in fast speech.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

bouche dent corps mal rose

Aprende después

mâchoire palais langue dentifrice dentiste

Avanzado

gingivite parodontologie alvéole tartre carie

Gramática que debes saber

Feminine gender for body parts ending in -ive.

La gencive est une partie du corps.

Use of definite articles with body parts when the owner is the subject.

Elle se brosse les gencives (not 'ses' gencives).

Adjective agreement with feminine plural nouns.

Des gencives saines (not 'sains').

Soft 'g' before 'e' and 'i'.

Gencive starts with a soft 'j' sound.

Preposition 'à' for pain in body parts.

J'ai mal à la gencive.

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Ejemplos por nivel

La gencive est rose.

The gum is pink.

Simple subject-verb-adjective structure with a feminine noun.

J'ai mal à la gencive.

My gum hurts.

Using 'avoir mal à' with the feminine article 'la'.

Où est la gencive ?

Where is the gum?

Basic question structure.

C'est une gencive saine.

It is a healthy gum.

Using the indefinite article 'une' and the feminine adjective 'saine'.

La dent est sur la gencive.

The tooth is on the gum.

Preposition 'sur' showing location.

Regarde ma gencive.

Look at my gum.

Imperative form of 'regarder' with a possessive adjective.

La gencive ne saigne pas.

The gum does not bleed.

Negation using 'ne... pas'.

Le bébé a une petite gencive.

The baby has a small gum.

Adjective 'petite' coming before the noun.

Il faut brosser les gencives doucement.

You must brush the gums gently.

Plural 'les gencives' and the adverb 'doucement'.

Ses gencives sont rouges et gonflées.

His gums are red and swollen.

Plural adjectives 'rouges' and 'gonflées' agreeing with the feminine plural noun.

Le dentiste examine ma gencive.

The dentist is examining my gum.

Present tense of 'examiner'.

Pourquoi tes gencives saignent-elles ?

Why are your gums bleeding?

Inversion in a question with a plural subject.

J'utilise un dentifrice pour gencives sensibles.

I use a toothpaste for sensitive gums.

Preposition 'pour' followed by a noun-adjective pair.

La gencive protège la racine de la dent.

The gum protects the root of the tooth.

Verb 'protéger' in the present tense.

Elle a une irritation à la gencive droite.

She has an irritation on her right gum.

Specific location using 'à la' and the adjective 'droite'.

Les gencives du bébé sont très dures.

The baby's gums are very hard.

Possessive structure using 'de' (du = de + le).

Si vos gencives saignent souvent, vous devriez consulter un dentiste.

If your gums bleed often, you should consult a dentist.

Condition 'si' clause with the present and conditional tenses.

L'inflammation de la gencive peut être causée par la plaque.

Inflammation of the gum can be caused by plaque.

Passive voice 'peut être causée'.

Il a une petite plaie sur la gencive à cause de son appareil.

He has a small sore on his gum because of his braces.

Compound phrase 'à cause de'.

Je sens une pression sur ma gencive supérieure.

I feel pressure on my upper gum.

Adjective 'supérieure' following the noun.

Elle applique un gel apaisant sur ses gencives.

She is applying a soothing gel to her gums.

Present tense of 'appliquer' and the adjective 'apaisant'.

Le retrait de la gencive expose parfois le nerf.

Gum recession sometimes exposes the nerve.

Abstract noun 'le retrait' and the verb 'exposer'.

Après l'opération, ma gencive a mis du temps à cicatriser.

After the operation, my gum took time to heal.

Idiomatic expression 'mettre du temps à' followed by an infinitive.

Est-ce que ce médicament est bon pour les gencives ?

Is this medicine good for the gums?

Question with 'est-ce que'.

Une hygiène bucco-dentaire rigoureuse prévient les maladies de la gencive.

Rigorous oral hygiene prevents gum diseases.

Complex subject with the adjective 'bucco-dentaire'.

Le tabagisme a un effet néfaste sur la circulation sanguine dans la gencive.

Smoking has a harmful effect on blood circulation in the gum.

Noun 'tabagisme' and the adjective 'néfaste'.

Le dentiste a dû pratiquer une petite incision dans la gencive.

The dentist had to make a small incision in the gum.

Past infinitive 'a dû pratiquer'.

Les gencives peuvent se rétracter avec l'âge si on n'y prend pas garde.

Gums can recede with age if one is not careful.

Reflexive verb 'se rétracter' and the pronoun 'y'.

Cette brosse à dents électrique possède un capteur de pression pour protéger la gencive.

This electric toothbrush has a pressure sensor to protect the gum.

Relative clause starting with 'pour'.

L'abcès s'est formé juste en dessous de la gencive.

The abscess formed just below the gum.

Prepositional phrase 'en dessous de'.

Il est possible de reconstruire la gencive grâce à une greffe.

It is possible to rebuild the gum thanks to a graft.

Impersonal structure 'Il est possible de'.

La sensibilité de la gencive peut varier selon les individus.

Gum sensitivity can vary depending on the individual.

Verb 'varier' and the preposition 'selon'.

L'intégrité de la gencive est le rempart principal contre les infections parodontales.

The integrity of the gum is the main bulwark against periodontal infections.

Formal vocabulary like 'intégrité' and 'rempart'.

Certaines carences en vitamines se manifestent d'abord par un saignement de la gencive.

Certain vitamin deficiencies first manifest as gum bleeding.

Reflexive verb 'se manifester' and the adverb 'd'abord'.

La gencive kératinisée joue un rôle crucial dans la stabilité des implants.

The keratinized gum plays a crucial role in the stability of implants.

Technical adjective 'kératinisée'.

Le chirurgien a souligné l'importance de la vascularisation de la gencive.

The surgeon emphasized the importance of the gum's vascularization.

Noun 'vascularisation' and the verb 'souligner' in the passé composé.

Une gencive atrophiée peut compliquer la pose d'une prothèse dentaire.

An atrophied gum can complicate the placement of a dental prosthesis.

Adjective 'atrophiée' and the verb 'compliquer'.

L'accumulation de tartre sous la gencive nécessite un détartrage professionnel.

The accumulation of tartar under the gum requires professional scaling.

Noun 'accumulation' and the technical term 'détartrage'.

L'aspect esthétique de la gencive est devenu un critère majeur en dentisterie moderne.

The aesthetic appearance of the gum has become a major criterion in modern dentistry.

Adjective 'esthétique' and the noun 'critère'.

L'hypertrophie de la gencive peut être un effet secondaire de certains traitements.

Gingival hypertrophy can be a side effect of certain treatments.

Technical term 'hypertrophie' and 'effet secondaire'.

L'homéostasie du tissu de la gencive est maintenue par un équilibre complexe de la flore buccale.

The homeostasis of the gum tissue is maintained by a complex balance of the oral flora.

Scientific term 'homéostasie' and passive voice 'est maintenue'.

La résorption osseuse s'accompagne souvent d'une modification structurelle de la gencive environnante.

Bone resorption is often accompanied by a structural modification of the surrounding gum.

Reflexive verb 's'accompagner' and the adjective 'environnante'.

Les protocoles de régénération tissulaire visent à restaurer la hauteur de la gencive.

Tissue regeneration protocols aim to restore the gum height.

Plural noun 'protocoles' and the verb 'viser à'.

La gencive marginale délimite la frontière entre la couronne clinique et le milieu buccal.

The marginal gum delineates the border between the clinical crown and the oral environment.

Technical term 'gencive marginale' and the verb 'délimiter'.

L'analyse histologique révèle une infiltration lymphocytaire au sein de la gencive.

Histological analysis reveals lymphocytic infiltration within the gum.

Formal term 'au sein de' and 'infiltration lymphocytaire'.

La réponse inflammatoire de la gencive est modulée par divers facteurs génétiques.

The inflammatory response of the gum is modulated by various genetic factors.

Passive voice 'est modulée' and the adjective 'génétiques'.

L'épaisseur biologique de la gencive doit être respectée lors de toute intervention prothétique.

The biological width of the gum must be respected during any prosthetic intervention.

Modal verb 'doit être' and the adjective 'prothétique'.

L'étiologie des récessions de la gencive est souvent multifactorielle, incluant le brossage traumatique.

The etiology of gum recessions is often multifactorial, including traumatic brushing.

Scientific term 'étiologie' and 'multifactorielle'.

Colocaciones comunes

gencives sensibles

saignement de la gencive

inflammation de la gencive

brosser les gencives

gencive gonflée

rétractation de la gencive

greffe de gencive

gencive saine

douleur à la gencive

soin des gencives

Frases Comunes

Avoir les gencives qui saignent

— To have bleeding gums. Used to describe a common dental issue.

J'ai les gencives qui saignent quand je passe le fil dentaire.

Masser les gencives

— To massage the gums. Often recommended for health or for teething babies.

Le dentiste conseille de masser les gencives après le brossage.

Protéger la gencive

— To protect the gum. Used in dental care and sports contexts.

Ce protège-dents sert à protéger la gencive des chocs.

Irritation de la gencive

— Gum irritation. A general term for discomfort in the gum area.

L'irritation de la gencive peut venir d'un brossage trop fort.

La gencive se rétracte

— The gum is receding. Used to describe a specific dental condition.

Avec l'âge, la gencive se rétracte parfois légèrement.

Gencive supérieure/inférieure

— Upper/lower gum. Used to specify the location of a problem.

La douleur se situe sur la gencive supérieure.

Poussée des gencives

— Teething process. Specifically referring to the gums being active before teeth emerge.

La poussée des gencives rend le bébé grincheux.

Infection de la gencive

— Gum infection. A clinical description of a bacterial issue.

L'infection de la gencive doit être traitée par des antibiotiques.

Gencive rose pâle

— Pale pink gum. The standard description for healthy gum tissue.

Une gencive rose pâle est un signe de bonne santé.

Abcès à la gencive

— Gum abscess. A painful localized infection.

Il a un abcès à la gencive qui le fait souffrir.

Se confunde a menudo con

gencive vs gomme

Gomme means eraser or chewing gum, never the tissue in the mouth.

gencive vs dent

Dent is the tooth itself; gencive is the tissue around it.

gencive vs joue

Joue is the cheek, which is outside the teeth/gums.

Modismos y expresiones

"Rire à pleines gencives"

— To laugh heartily, showing one's gums. Similar to 'laughing with all one's teeth' but often used for babies or the elderly.

Le bébé riait à pleines gencives en voyant son père.

informal

"Montrer ses gencives"

— To show one's gums. Usually descriptive of a wide smile or a specific facial expression.

Elle a un sourire si large qu'elle montre ses gencives.

neutral

"N'avoir plus que les gencives"

— To have no teeth left. Used to describe someone very old or who has lost their teeth.

Le vieil homme n'avait plus que les gencives pour mâcher son pain.

colloquial

"Se faire les gencives"

— A variation of 'se faire les dents' (to cut one's teeth/gain experience), specifically regarding the physical sensation for babies.

Le petit se fait les gencives sur son anneau de dentition.

neutral

"Avoir la gencive tendre"

— To be sensitive or easily hurt (metaphorically), though usually used literally for dental sensitivity.

Fais attention, il a la gencive tendre en ce moment.

informal

"La gencive à l'air"

— Having gums exposed. Often used when a tooth has fallen out or the gum is receding.

Avec cette dent en moins, il a la gencive à l'air.

neutral

"Se mordre la gencive"

— To bite one's gum. Usually accidental while eating.

Je me suis mordu la gencive en mangeant trop vite.

neutral

"Gencives de fer"

— Tough gums. Used to describe someone who can eat hard things despite having few teeth.

Malgré son âge, il a des gencives de fer.

informal

"Être à fleur de gencive"

— To be right at the surface of the gum. Used for teeth about to emerge.

La première dent est à fleur de gencive.

neutral

"Saigner des gencives"

— Literally to bleed from the gums, but sometimes used to exaggerate a minor injury in the mouth.

Il a juste reçu un petit coup et il saigne déjà des gencives.

neutral

Fácil de confundir

gencive vs gomme

Both translate to 'gum' in English.

Gencive is anatomical tissue; gomme is an object or food.

J'ai besoin d'une gomme pour effacer, mais j'ai mal à la gencive.

gencive vs mâchoire

Both are parts of the mouth area.

Mâchoire is the bone (jaw); gencive is the soft tissue.

La gencive recouvre la mâchoire.

gencive vs palais

Both are soft tissues inside the mouth.

Palais is the roof of the mouth; gencive is around the teeth.

Le palais est en haut, la gencive est autour des dents.

gencive vs langue

Both are fleshy parts of the mouth.

Langue is the tongue; gencive is the gum.

On utilise la langue pour parler et la gencive pour tenir les dents.

gencive vs lèvre

Both are visible when smiling.

Lèvre is the lip (external); gencive is internal.

Mes lèvres sont sèches et ma gencive est rouge.

Patrones de oraciones

La [body part] est [adjective].

La gencive est rose.

J'ai les [body part] [adjective].

J'ai les gencives rouges.

Si vous avez [symptom], vous devez [action].

Si vous avez mal à la gencive, vous devez voir un dentiste.

Le [subject] protège la [object].

Le dentifrice protège la gencive.

L'importance de [noun] dans [context].

L'importance de la gencive dans l'esthétique dentaire.

L'étiologie de [condition] est [adjective].

L'étiologie des maladies de la gencive est complexe.

Il faut [verb] la [noun].

Il faut masser la gencive.

Ma [noun] est [adjective] à cause de [reason].

Ma gencive est irritée à cause de l'appareil.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

gingivite

gingivectomie

parodontite

Verbos

gingivaliser (rare/technical)

Adjetivos

gingival

sous-gingival

intergingival

Relacionado

dent

bouche

mâchoire

palais

alvéole

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Common in medical and daily hygiene contexts.

Errores comunes

Le gencive est rouge. → La gencive est rouge.
Gencive is feminine, so it must use 'la' and the adjective must be feminine (though 'rouge' is the same for both).
Je mâche une gencive. → Je mâche un chewing-gum.
You cannot chew a 'gencive' unless you are talking about an anatomical part, which would be strange.
Mes gansives saignent. → Mes gencives saignent.
The spelling is with an 'e' and a 'c'. The pronunciation is nasal 'en'.
J'ai mal à mon gencive. → J'ai mal à la gencive.
In French, we use the definite article 'la' with body parts when the possession is clear.
Le dentiste regarde mon gomme. → Le dentiste regarde ma gencive.
Confusing 'gum' (English) with 'gomme' (French) is a classic false friend error.

Consejos

Gender check

Always pair 'gencive' with feminine articles like 'la' or 'une'. This is a non-negotiable rule in French grammar.

Soft G

The 'g' in gencive is never hard. It should sound like the 'j' in 'journal'. Practice saying 'je' then 'gencive'.

Not for chewing

Remember that if you want to buy chewing gum, you ask for 'du chewing-gum', not 'une gencive'.

Plural use

When talking about your mouth in general, use the plural 'les gencives'. It sounds more natural to native speakers.

At the dentist

If the dentist says 'vos gencives sont saines', it means they are healthy. This is good news!

Teething

Use 'la poussée des gencives' when talking about a baby's first teeth. It's a very common phrase for parents.

Soft brushes

In France, 'brosse à dents souple' is often recommended to protect the 'gencive' from damage.

The 'C' rule

The 'c' in the middle makes the 's' sound. Don't replace it with an 's' when writing.

Idiomatic pain

Instead of 'ma gencive est douloureuse', try 'j'ai mal à la gencive' for a more native-like expression.

Pharmacy advice

Don't hesitate to use this word at a French pharmacy; they are very helpful with 'problèmes de gencives'.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'GENTLE' touch on your 'GENCIVE'. You must be gentle when brushing your gums.

Asociación visual

Imagine a pink 'G' shape (for Gencive) wrapping around a white tooth.

Word Web

dent sourire rose saigner brosser dentiste bouche hygiène

Desafío

Try to use 'gencive' in a sentence about a baby and another sentence about a dentist visit.

Origen de la palabra

From the Latin word 'gingiva', which also meant gum.

Significado original: The tissue surrounding the base of the teeth.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexto cultural

Discussions about bleeding gums can be seen as slightly graphic in polite social settings, but are perfectly normal in health contexts.

English speakers use 'gum' for both the tissue and chewing gum, leading to frequent translation errors.

Advertisements for 'Parodontax' (a famous gum-health toothpaste in France). Medical diagrams in French schools. French parenting books discussing teething.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

At the dentist

J'ai mal à la gencive.
Mes gencives saignent.
Est-ce une gingivite ?
La gencive est gonflée.

Teething baby

Le bébé a les gencives rouges.
C'est la poussée des gencives.
Il a besoin de masser ses gencives.
Ses gencives travaillent.

Buying toothpaste

C'est pour les gencives sensibles.
Avez-vous un soin pour les gencives ?
Un dentifrice qui protège la gencive.
Brosse à dents douce pour gencives.

Anatomy class

La structure de la gencive.
Le rôle de la gencive.
La gencive et l'os alvéolaire.
La muqueuse de la gencive.

Sports injury

Il s'est coupé à la gencive.
Le protège-dents couvre la gencive.
Saignement important de la gencive.
Le choc a touché la gencive.

Inicios de conversación

"Est-ce que tu as déjà eu les gencives sensibles après un détartrage ?"

"Quel type de brosse à dents utilises-tu pour ne pas irriter ta gencive ?"

"Savais-tu que la santé de la gencive est liée à la santé du cœur ?"

"Est-ce que ton bébé souffre beaucoup de la poussée des gencives en ce moment ?"

"As-tu déjà essayé un bain de bouche pour calmer une inflammation de la gencive ?"

Temas para diario

Décrivez votre routine d'hygiène dentaire et comment vous prenez soin de vos gencives chaque jour.

Racontez une visite chez le dentiste où il a examiné la santé de votre gencive.

Imaginez que vous expliquez à un enfant pourquoi il ne faut pas brosser sa gencive trop fort.

Écrivez sur l'importance d'avoir une gencive saine pour avoir un beau sourire.

Réfléchissez à la différence entre le mot 'gum' en anglais et 'gencive' en français.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

On dit 'les gencives'. C'est un nom féminin pluriel dans ce contexte. Par exemple : 'Mes gencives sont en bonne santé'.

C'est un nom féminin. On dit 'la gencive' ou 'une gencive'. C'est une erreur commune de penser qu'il est masculin.

La 'gencive' est la partie du corps. La 'gomme' est un objet pour effacer ou du chewing-gum. Ne les confondez jamais.

Le saignement des gencives peut être dû à une gingivite ou un brossage trop fort. Il est conseillé de consulter un dentiste.

On prononce /ʒɑ̃.siv/. Le 'g' est doux comme dans 'bonjour' et le 'en' est nasal.

C'est une opération chirurgicale pour ajouter du tissu là où la gencive s'est rétractée. C'est courant en parodontologie.

Oui, les animaux ont aussi des gencives. On peut dire 'la gencive du chien'.

L'adjectif est 'gingival'. Par exemple, on parle de 'santé gingivale'.

Oui, c'est un mot de base que tout le monde connaît et utilise en France pour parler de santé dentaire.

On dit 'la rétractation de la gencive' ou 'la récession gingivale'.

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