Cette page dans ta langue
English فارسی العربية Deutsch Español 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A1 noun 11 min de lecture

gelée

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces gelée en 30 secondes
Explication gelée in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should learn 'gelée' as a word related to weather and breakfast. Think of it as 'frost' on the grass when it is very cold ('il fait froid'). You can also remember it as the sweet jelly you put on bread. It is a feminine noun: 'la gelée'. Example: 'Il y a de la gelée sur l'herbe' (There is frost on the grass). You don't need to know the complex types of frost yet, just that it happens in winter and it is white. It is also important to know that 'gelée' is different from 'glace' (ice). 'Glace' is what you put in a drink; 'gelée' is the thin layer on the ground. In the kitchen, 'gelée' is like jam but without the pieces of fruit. It is smooth and clear. When you see it on a menu, it is usually sweet. Just remember: 'la gelée' is cold or sweet!
At the A2 level, you can start using 'gelée' in more complete sentences. You should know the phrase 'gelée blanche' which means 'white frost' or 'hoar frost'. This is a very common sight in the French countryside. You might also hear 'gelée matinale' (morning frost) in weather reports. At this level, you should be able to distinguish between 'la gelée' (the noun) and 'il gèle' (the verb 'to freeze'). For example: 'Il gèle ce matin, il y a de la gelée partout.' You should also know 'gelée royale', which is royal jelly from bees, often found in health shops. In the kitchen, you can distinguish between 'confiture' (jam with fruit) and 'gelée' (clear jelly). Learning these basic pairings will help you describe your environment and your food choices more accurately.
Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète
By B1, you should understand the impact of 'la gelée' on different sectors, especially agriculture. You should know the term 'gelées tardives' (late frosts), which are very dangerous for farmers in the spring. You might read news articles about how 'la gelée a détruit les récoltes' (the frost destroyed the harvests). You should also be comfortable using 'gelée' in culinary contexts, such as 'œuf en gelée' or 'gelée de coing' (quince jelly). At this level, you should also recognize the difference between 'gelée' and 'verglas'. 'Verglas' is the dangerous ice on the road, while 'gelée' is the frost on the grass. You can also start using the word in slightly more abstract ways, such as describing a texture that is 'gélatineux' (gelatinous), which comes from the same root.
Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète
At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'gelée' in various registers. In a formal weather report, you might hear about 'l'intensité des gelées' or 'le dégel' (the thaw). You should be able to discuss the scientific process of how 'la gelée' forms through 'sublimation inverse' (deposition). In literature, you might encounter 'gelée' used to create a cold, crystalline atmosphere. You should also be aware of fixed expressions and technical terms like 'gelée de pétrole' (petroleum jelly). At this level, your vocabulary should include synonyms like 'frimas' (poetic frost) and 'givre' (hoar frost on trees). You should be able to explain the difference between 'gelée blanche' and 'gelée noire' (black frost) and why the latter is a nightmare for viticulturists.
Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète
At the C1 level, you should be able to use 'gelée' and its related forms with precision in academic or professional discussions. You might analyze the impact of 'gelées printanières' on the French wine industry's economy. You should understand the metaphorical potential of the word, perhaps in a literary analysis where 'la gelée' symbolizes a frozen heart or a stagnant situation, though 'le gel' is more common for the latter. Your understanding of culinary 'gelée' should include the technical aspects of clarification and the use of 'agar-agar' or 'pectine' to achieve the perfect 'prise en gelée' (setting). You should be able to debate the merits of 'gelée royale' in apitherapy using sophisticated vocabulary. Your grasp of the word should be so complete that you can distinguish between 'givre de rayonnement' and 'gelée de convection' in a meteorological context.
Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète
At the C2 level, 'gelée' is a tool for poetic and technical mastery. You can appreciate the subtle differences in meaning between 'gelée', 'givre', 'frimas', and 'neige carbonique' in specialized texts. You might explore the etymological journey from the Latin 'gelare' to the modern French 'gelée' and how it influenced English. In a high-level culinary setting, you can discuss the 'rhéologie' (rheology) of a 'gelée' and how temperature affects its 'viscoélasticité'. You are comfortable with rare idiomatic uses and can identify 'gelée' in archaic texts where it might have had slightly different connotations. Your usage is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, whether you are describing a winter landscape with the precision of a poet or discussing the chemical properties of fruit pectins.
Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète
Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

gelée en 30 secondes

  • Gelée means frost (weather) or jelly (food).
  • It is a feminine noun: la gelée.
  • Common in weather reports (gelée blanche) and breakfast (gelée de fruits).
  • Do not confuse with 'verglas' (dangerous road ice) or 'gelé' (the adjective).

The French word gelée is a fascinating noun that serves a dual purpose in the French language, though its primary meteorological meaning refers to the thin, sparkling layer of ice crystals that forms on surfaces when the temperature drops below freezing. This phenomenon, known as frost in English, is a staple of French winter mornings. When you wake up in the countryside of Burgundy or the suburbs of Paris and see the grass shimmering with a white coating, you are looking at la gelée blanche. It is a word that evokes the crispness of the air, the silence of a cold morning, and the delicate transition of moisture into solid form. Beyond the weather, gelée is also the word for jelly—the sweet, translucent fruit spread often enjoyed on tartines for breakfast. Understanding which version is being used depends entirely on the context: a garden context implies frost, while a kitchen context implies a delicious spread.

Meteorological Context
In weather reports, you will often hear about 'gelées matinales' (morning frosts). This is crucial for gardeners and farmers who must protect delicate plants from the cold. The word comes from the verb 'geler' (to freeze).
Culinary Context
In French gastronomy, 'gelée' refers to a substance set with gelatin or pectin. This includes 'gelée de groseilles' (redcurrant jelly) or savory 'gelée de viande' (aspic). It implies a clear, firm texture that wobbles when touched.

Ce matin, une fine gelée recouvrait les pare-brise des voitures garées dans la rue.

The term is also used in biology, most famously in gelée royale (royal jelly), the nutrient-rich substance produced by worker bees to feed the queen. This highlights the word's association with a semi-solid, viscous, or crystalline state. In the context of frost, 'gelée' is often used to describe the state of the ground or the air. When the ground is frozen, one might say 'la terre est gelée'. However, as a noun, 'la gelée' specifically refers to the frost itself. It is a word that carries both the bite of winter and the sweetness of a French pantry, making it an essential addition to any learner's vocabulary. Whether you are discussing the harvest of 'vendanges tardives' (late harvests) affected by frost or simply ordering breakfast in a café, this word will appear frequently.

Historically, the word has roots in the Latin 'gelata', meaning frozen. This linguistic heritage is shared with the English 'gelatin' and 'jelly'. In France, the arrival of the first 'gelée' of autumn is a significant marker of the changing seasons. It signals the end of the growing period and the start of the 'hibernation' of the landscape. In literature, poets often use 'gelée' to describe a world transformed into silver or crystal overnight, emphasizing the ephemeral beauty of the frost before the sun melts it away.

La gelée blanche a transformé le jardin en un paysage de conte de fées.

Scientific Nuance
Technically, 'gelée blanche' occurs when water vapor bypasses the liquid phase and turns directly into ice crystals on a surface. This process is called deposition.

Using gelée correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical gender—it is always feminine (la gelée, une gelée). When describing weather, it often appears in the plural: les gelées. For instance, a meteorologist might warn, 'Attention aux gelées tardives ce printemps' (Watch out for late frosts this spring). This plural usage emphasizes multiple occurrences or a widespread phenomenon across a region. When used in the singular, it often refers to the specific layer of frost seen in the moment.

Il a fait si froid cette nuit que la gelée a fait éclater les tuyaux extérieurs.

Common Adjectives
You will often see 'gelée' paired with: 'blanche' (white/hoar), 'noire' (black frost, which kills plants without visible ice), 'matinale' (morning), and 'printanière' (springtime).

In a culinary context, the structure of the sentence changes slightly. You might say, 'Je voudrais une tartine avec de la gelée de framboises' (I would like a piece of toast with raspberry jelly). Notice the use of the partitive article 'de la' because jelly is an uncountable noun in this context. If you are describing the consistency of a dish, you might say it has 'une consistance de gelée' (a jelly-like consistency). This is often used for desserts like panna cotta or clarified meat stocks that have cooled down.

La gelée de coing est une spécialité très appréciée en France pendant l'automne.

For advanced learners, 'gelée' can be used metaphorically. One might describe a 'relation gelée' (a frozen relationship), though this is more commonly expressed with the adjective. However, the noun 'gelée' appears in fixed expressions like 'être dans la gelée' (to be in a fix/frozen state), though this is quite rare and regional. More common is the use of 'gelée' in biological and medical terms, such as 'gelée de pétrole' (petroleum jelly/Vaseline), which is a direct translation of the English term but widely understood in Francophone regions like Quebec.

Les agriculteurs craignent la gelée noire qui détruit les bourgeons sans laisser de trace de glace.

Prepositional Use
We say 'à la gelée' to describe something flavored with or containing jelly, like 'un beignet à la gelée' (a jelly donut).

The most common place to encounter gelée is undoubtedly the daily weather forecast (la météo). In France, where agriculture is a massive part of the economy and culture, frost warnings are taken very seriously. During late March and April, news segments often feature winegrowers in regions like Chablis or Bordeaux lighting small fires (chaufferettes) in their vineyards to prevent la gelée from killing the young grape buds. Hearing 'risques de gelée au sol' (risk of ground frost) is a common phrase that alerts drivers to potentially slippery roads and gardeners to cover their plants.

Le présentateur météo a annoncé de fortes gelées pour la nuit de mardi à mercredi.

In the Supermarket
You will see 'gelée' on labels in the breakfast aisle. Unlike 'confiture', which is thick and chunky, 'gelée' is clear. 'Gelée de groseilles' is a classic accompaniment for game meats or simply bread.
In the Pharmacy
You might find 'gelée royale' sold as a health supplement. It is prized in French 'parapharmacies' for its supposed immune-boosting properties.

Another interesting place to hear this word is in the context of traditional French cooking. If you are reading a classic French cookbook or dining at a traditional 'bouchon' in Lyon, you might see 'œuf en gelée'. This is a poached egg suspended in a clear, savory aspic. While it might seem old-fashioned to some modern palates, it remains a staple of French culinary heritage. In this setting, 'gelée' represents a technical mastery of clarifying stocks and using natural gelatins.

Le chef a préparé une gelée de viande parfaitement transparente pour son pâté en croûte.

In children's literature, 'gelée' is often personified. Stories about Jack Frost (though less common in France than in English folklore) might describe 'le bonhomme hiver' (Old Man Winter) spreading 'sa gelée' over the world. It is a word that children learn early, usually in the context of 'il gèle dehors' (it's freezing outside) and seeing the white frost on their way to school. The tactile nature of the word—from the cold sting of frost to the sticky sweetness of jelly—makes it deeply embedded in the daily sensory experience of French speakers.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing the noun gelée with the adjective gelé(e). Because they are homophones (they sound exactly the same), learners often write 'il y a du gelé' instead of 'il y a de la gelée'. Remember: 'gelé' is a state (frozen), while 'gelée' is the substance (frost/jelly). Another common error is the gender. Since 'froid' (cold) and 'givre' (hoar frost) are masculine, many learners assume 'gelée' is also masculine. However, it is strictly feminine: la gelée.

Faux: J'aime le gelée de fraises.
Juste: J'aime la gelée de fraises.

Gelée vs. Givre
This is a nuance error. 'Givre' is hoar frost—the thick, needle-like crystals that form on trees and wires in fog. 'Gelée' is the more general term for the thin layer on the ground or the act of freezing itself. Using 'givre' when you mean 'gelée' makes you sound very specific, perhaps too much so for a general conversation.

In the kitchen, don't confuse 'gelée' with 'confiture'. If you tell a French person you are making 'gelée de fraises' but you leave the chunks of fruit in, they will correct you and say it is 'confiture'. 'Gelée' must be clear and filtered. Similarly, English speakers often use 'jelly' to mean 'Jell-O' (the dessert). In French, that specific wobbling dessert is often called 'un flan' or simply 'de la gelée', but it's less common as a standalone dessert than in the US or UK. If you ask for 'gelée' for dessert, you might just get a spoonful of fruit jelly!

Faux: Il y a du gelée sur la route.
Juste: Il y a du verglas sur la route.

Finally, when using the plural 'gelées', avoid using 'des'. It is more common to say 'les gelées' when referring to the general phenomenon of frosts during a season. Saying 'il y a des gelées' is grammatically correct but sounds slightly less natural than 'on attend des gelées' (we are expecting frosts) in a weather context. Paying attention to these small distinctions in article usage and vocabulary choice will help you sound much more like a native speaker.

French has a rich vocabulary for cold weather and semi-solid substances, so gelée has several 'cousins' that are worth knowing. If you want to describe a heavier, more crystalline frost that turns the whole world white, use le givre. This word specifically refers to the white coating formed by freezing fog. On the other hand, if the ice is clear and forms a dangerous sheet on the road, the word is le verglas. While 'gelée' is pretty and sparkling, 'verglas' is the word that makes French drivers stay home.

Glace vs. Gelée
'Glace' is the general word for ice (like in a drink) or ice cream. 'Gelée' is thinner and more delicate. You wouldn't put 'gelée' in your soda, and you wouldn't call the frost on your lawn 'glace'.
Frimas
This is a poetic, slightly old-fashioned word for cold, misty, frosty weather. You'll find it in literature or songs to describe the 'wintry chill'.

In the world of food, the main alternative to 'gelée' is la confiture (jam). The difference is structural: jam contains fruit pulp and pieces, while jelly is made from juice. There is also la marmelade, which specifically refers to citrus-based preserves (like orange marmalade). If you are looking for something even thicker, you might use la pâte de fruits, which is a firm, sugar-coated fruit jelly candy. In a savory context, l'aspic is the specific name for a dish set in savory 'gelée'.

La confiture est épaisse, mais la gelée est translucide.

For those interested in technical or scientific French, you might encounter le gel as a noun to mean 'the freeze' or 'the freezing point'. For example, 'le gel des salaires' means 'the wage freeze'. In this context, 'gelée' would never be used. 'Gelée' remains the physical manifestation of freezing (frost) or the specific food product. By mastering these synonyms and related terms, you can navigate weather reports, restaurant menus, and literary texts with much greater precision and confidence.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word 'jelly' in English comes directly from this French word 'gelée' through Old French.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ʒə.le/
US /ʒə.le/
The stress is on the final syllable '-lée'.
Rime avec
allée vallée volée pelée salée mêlée parlée allée
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Pronouncing the 'g' like 'goat' instead of 'measure'.
  • Forgetting the final 'ay' sound.
  • Confusing the pronunciation with 'gel' (the 'l' is silent in 'gelée').
  • Making the 'e' too strong.
  • Adding an 'r' sound at the end.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize due to English similarity.

Écriture 3/5

Must remember the feminine 'ée' ending.

Expression orale 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward but requires soft 'g'.

Écoute 3/5

Must distinguish from 'gelé' (adjective) in context.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

froid glace hiver sucre fruit

Apprends ensuite

verglas givre confiture marmelade geler

Avancé

aspic pectine gélification frimas sublimation

Grammaire à connaître

Feminine Noun Endings

Words ending in -ée are usually feminine (la gelée, la pensée).

Partitive Articles

Use 'de la' with 'gelée' for uncountable quantities (de la gelée).

Adjective Agreement

La gelée est blanchE (feminine agreement).

Verbs of Weather

'Il gèle' is the impersonal verb for 'it's freezing'.

Preposition 'en'

Used for state or material (œuf en gelée).

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Exemples par niveau

1

Il y a de la gelée sur l'herbe ce matin.

There is frost on the grass this morning.

Feminine noun 'la gelée'.

2

J'aime la gelée de fraises sur mon pain.

I like strawberry jelly on my bread.

Partitive article 'de la'.

3

Regarde la gelée blanche sur la fenêtre !

Look at the white frost on the window!

Adjective 'blanche' agrees with 'gelée'.

4

La gelée est très froide.

The frost is very cold.

Subject-verb agreement.

5

Il n'y a pas de gelée aujourd'hui.

There is no frost today.

Negation with 'pas de'.

6

Est-ce que tu veux de la gelée ?

Do you want some jelly?

Question form.

7

La gelée brille au soleil.

The frost shines in the sun.

Present tense.

8

Ma maman fait de la gelée de pommes.

My mom makes apple jelly.

Verb 'faire' with 'de la'.

1

Les gelées matinales sont fréquentes en hiver.

Morning frosts are frequent in winter.

Plural form 'les gelées'.

2

La gelée royale est bonne pour la santé.

Royal jelly is good for health.

Fixed expression 'gelée royale'.

3

Fais attention, la gelée rend le chemin glissant.

Be careful, the frost makes the path slippery.

Imperative 'fais'.

4

On a mangé de la gelée de groseilles avec le fromage.

We ate redcurrant jelly with the cheese.

Passé composé.

5

La gelée a blanchi tout le paysage.

The frost whitened the whole landscape.

Verb 'blanchir' in passé composé.

6

Il reste un peu de gelée au fond du pot.

There is a little jelly left at the bottom of the jar.

Quantity 'un peu de'.

7

La gelée fond quand le soleil se lève.

The frost melts when the sun rises.

Verb 'fondre'.

8

Le jardinier protège ses fleurs contre la gelée.

The gardener protects his flowers against the frost.

Preposition 'contre'.

1

Les gelées tardives ont endommagé les bourgeons des pommiers.

The late frosts damaged the apple tree buds.

Compound past with 'avoir'.

2

Cette gelée de coing est parfaitement transparente.

This quince jelly is perfectly transparent.

Adverb 'parfaitement'.

3

L'œuf en gelée est une entrée classique française.

Egg in aspic is a classic French starter.

Prepositional phrase 'en gelée'.

4

La météo annonce des gelées au sol pour cette nuit.

The weather forecast announces ground frosts for tonight.

Noun phrase 'gelées au sol'.

5

La gelée a formé des motifs complexes sur les vitres.

The frost formed complex patterns on the window panes.

Direct object 'des motifs'.

6

Elle préfère la gelée à la confiture car il n'y a pas de morceaux.

She prefers jelly to jam because there are no pieces.

Comparison 'préfère... à'.

7

Sans protection, la gelée peut tuer les plantes tropicales.

Without protection, frost can kill tropical plants.

Modal verb 'peut'.

8

La route est couverte d'une fine pellicule de gelée.

The road is covered with a thin film of frost.

Passive voice 'est couverte'.

1

La gelée noire est redoutée par les viticulteurs car elle est invisible.

Black frost is dreaded by winegrowers because it is invisible.

Passive construction 'est redoutée'.

2

Le chef utilise de la gelée de viande pour lier sa terrine.

The chef uses meat jelly to bind his terrine.

Infinitive 'lier' expressing purpose.

3

Malgré la gelée, les sportifs continuent de courir en forêt.

Despite the frost, athletes continue to run in the forest.

Conjunction 'Malgré'.

4

La gelée royale est sécrétée par les abeilles nourrices.

Royal jelly is secreted by nurse bees.

Technical terminology.

5

Les cristaux de gelée scintillent sous la lumière de la lune.

The frost crystals sparkle under the moonlight.

Descriptive language.

6

La prise en gelée du dessert nécessite plusieurs heures au frais.

The setting of the dessert requires several hours in the fridge.

Noun phrase 'prise en gelée'.

7

Il a fallu gratter la gelée sur le pare-brise avant de partir.

It was necessary to scrape the frost off the windshield before leaving.

Impersonal 'Il a fallu'.

8

La gelée a figé le mouvement de la petite cascade.

The frost froze the movement of the small waterfall.

Metaphorical use of 'figé'.

1

L'alternance entre gelée et dégel fragilise les structures en pierre.

The alternation between frost and thaw weakens stone structures.

Abstract noun 'alternance'.

2

La gelée blanche se forme par condensation solide de la vapeur d'eau.

Hoar frost forms by solid condensation of water vapor.

Reflexive verb 'se former'.

3

Le poète compare la gelée matinale à un linceul d'argent sur la terre.

The poet compares the morning frost to a silver shroud on the earth.

Literary comparison.

4

L'usage de la gelée de pétrole est courant dans les laboratoires de cosmétique.

The use of petroleum jelly is common in cosmetic laboratories.

Technical context.

5

Les gelées de printemps peuvent anéantir toute une année de travail acharné.

Spring frosts can wipe out an entire year of hard work.

Strong verb 'anéantir'.

6

La texture de cette gelée de groseilles est d'une finesse incomparable.

The texture of this redcurrant jelly is of incomparable finesse.

Prepositional phrase 'd'une finesse'.

7

L'œuf en gelée exige une clarification parfaite du bouillon au blanc d'œuf.

Egg in aspic requires perfect clarification of the broth with egg white.

Culinary terminology.

8

On observe une recrudescence des gelées précoces dues au dérèglement climatique.

We observe a resurgence of early frosts due to climate change.

Complex cause-effect sentence.

1

L'esthétique de la gelée, entre transparence et opalescence, fascine les photographes.

The aesthetics of jelly, between transparency and opalescence, fascinates photographers.

Sophisticated vocabulary.

2

Les gelées de rayonnement se produisent par ciel clair et vent calme.

Radiation frosts occur under clear skies and calm winds.

Meteorological precision.

3

La gelée royale constitue le seul régime alimentaire de la reine des abeilles.

Royal jelly constitutes the sole diet of the queen bee.

Formal verb 'constitue'.

4

L'œuvre se fige dans une gelée de souvenirs, immobile et éternelle.

The work freezes in a jelly of memories, motionless and eternal.

Metaphorical literary use.

5

L'industrie agroalimentaire utilise divers gélifiants pour stabiliser la gelée.

The food industry uses various gelling agents to stabilize the jelly.

Industrial terminology.

6

La gelée de pomme sert souvent de base pour d'autres préparations de confiserie.

Apple jelly often serves as a base for other confectionery preparations.

Functional description.

7

La morsure de la gelée sur les mains nues est une sensation cuisante.

The bite of the frost on bare hands is a stinging sensation.

Sensory adjectives.

8

La transition vitreuse de la gelée est un sujet d'étude en physique des polymères.

The glass transition of jelly is a subject of study in polymer physics.

Scientific jargon.

Collocations courantes

gelée blanche
gelée royale
gelée de fruits
gelées tardives
gelée de coing
gelée de viande
gelée matinale
prise en gelée
gelée de pétrole
fortes gelées

Phrases Courantes

Il y a de la gelée.

— It is frosty outside.

Regarde par la fenêtre, il y a de la gelée.

Une tartine à la gelée.

— A slice of bread with jelly.

Je prends une tartine à la gelée pour le goûter.

Craindre la gelée.

— To be afraid of the frost (usually plants).

Ces fleurs craignent la gelée.

Gelée au sol.

— Ground frost.

Attention à la gelée au sol sur les routes.

Prendre en gelée.

— To set (for a liquid becoming jelly).

La préparation commence à prendre en gelée.

Cœur de gelée.

— A soft, jelly-like center.

Ce chocolat a un cœur de gelée.

Gelée de pomme.

— Apple jelly.

La gelée de pomme est dorée.

Gelée printanière.

— Spring frost.

La gelée printanière a tué les fleurs.

Gelée de groseille.

— Redcurrant jelly.

La gelée de groseille est rouge vif.

Sac de gelée.

— A jelly bag (for straining).

Utilisez un sac de gelée pour filtrer le jus.

Souvent confondu avec

gelée vs givre

Givre is thicker and needle-like; gelée is a thin layer.

gelée vs verglas

Verglas is clear ice on roads; gelée is white frost.

gelée vs confiture

Confiture has fruit pieces; gelée is clear.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Être dans la gelée"

— To be stuck or in a difficult situation (rare).

Depuis qu'il a perdu son travail, il est dans la gelée.

informal
"Trembler comme une gelée"

— To shake like a leaf (or jelly).

Il avait si peur qu'il tremblait comme une gelée.

informal
"C'est de la gelée"

— Something that is very soft or lacks structure.

Ce projet n'est pas solide, c'est de la gelée.

neutral
"Avoir les jambes en gelée"

— To have weak legs (from fear or exhaustion).

Après le marathon, j'avais les jambes en gelée.

informal
"Une main de gelée"

— A weak or soft grip.

Il ne serre pas fort la main, il a une main de gelée.

informal
"Gelée de cerveau"

— Brain freeze (literal translation, used humorously).

J'ai mangé ma glace trop vite, gelée de cerveau !

slang
"Fondre comme de la gelée au soleil"

— To disappear very quickly.

Son héritage a fondu comme de la gelée au soleil.

neutral
"Rester en gelée"

— To stay motionless or shocked.

Elle est restée en gelée devant la nouvelle.

informal
"Une tête de gelée"

— Someone who is soft or easily influenced.

Ne sois pas une tête de gelée, défends-toi !

informal
"Sucré comme de la gelée"

— Very sweet (often sarcastic).

Ses paroles sont sucrées comme de la gelée, méfie-toi.

neutral

Facile à confondre

gelée vs gelé

Sounds exactly the same.

Gelé is the adjective (frozen); gelée is the noun (frost/jelly).

Le lac est gelé (adj). J'aime la gelée (noun).

gelée vs gel

Same root.

Gel is the act of freezing or a hair product; gelée is the physical frost.

Le gel des prix. Elle met du gel dans ses cheveux.

gelée vs glace

Both involve frozen water.

Glace is solid ice or ice cream; gelée is thin frost.

Un cube de glace. La gelée blanche.

gelée vs glaçon

Both involve ice.

Glaçon is an ice cube; gelée is frost.

Mets un glaçon dans mon verre.

gelée vs marmelade

Both are fruit spreads.

Marmelade is specifically citrus with peel; gelée is clear juice.

Marmelade d'oranges.

Structures de phrases

A1

C'est de la gelée de [fruit].

C'est de la gelée de pomme.

A1

Il y a de la gelée.

Il y a de la gelée ce matin.

A2

La gelée est [adjective].

La gelée est blanche.

B1

À cause de la gelée, [clause].

À cause de la gelée, les fleurs sont mortes.

B2

On attend des gelées [adjective].

On attend des gelées tardives.

C1

[Noun] recouvert de gelée.

Le jardin recouvert de gelée est magnifique.

C2

La prise en gelée de [noun] est [adjective].

La prise en gelée de l'aspic est délicate.

A2

Je mange de la gelée avec [noun].

Je mange de la gelée avec du fromage.

Famille de mots

Noms

gel
gélatine
gélifiant
congélation
congélateur

Verbes

geler
congeler
dégeler
gélifier

Adjectifs

gelé
gélatineux
glacial
gelable

Apparenté

froid
hiver
glace
neige
température
Inscris-toi gratuitement pour voir tous les exemples

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High in winter and breakfast contexts.

Erreurs courantes
  • Le gelée → La gelée

    It is a feminine noun.

  • Il y a du gelé → Il y a de la gelée

    Gelé is an adjective; gelée is the noun for frost.

  • Gelée sur la route → Verglas sur la route

    Gelée is frost; verglas is the ice that makes roads slippery.

  • Geler la gelée → Faire de la gelée

    You don't freeze the frost; you make jelly or frost forms.

  • Je mange du gelée → Je mange de la gelée

    Partitive article must be feminine.

Astuces

Gender Tip

Remember the double 'e' at the end of 'gelée' usually signifies a feminine noun.

Weather Precision

Use 'gelée blanche' to sound more natural when describing a white morning.

Soft G

Ensure the 'g' is soft, like 'je' or 'jardin'.

Jelly vs Jam

If it's clear, it's 'gelée'. If there are pieces, it's 'confiture'.

Royal Jelly

Look for 'gelée royale' in the vitamin section of French pharmacies.

Driving Caution

Don't say 'il y a de la gelée' to warn about slippery roads; say 'il y a du verglas'.

Weak Legs

Use 'jambes en gelée' to describe being very nervous.

The Accent

Don't forget the acute accent on the first 'e': gElée.

Petroleum Jelly

Use 'gelée de pétrole' for technical contexts, but 'Vaseline' is more common.

Poetic Words

Use 'frimas' as a synonym for 'gelée' in creative writing.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Gel' (hair gel) and 'ée' (like 'ay'). A 'gelée' is a 'gel' that 'stays' on the grass.

Association visuelle

Imagine a jar of jelly sitting on a frozen, frosty lawn. Both are 'gelée'!

Word Web

froid hiver sucre fruit glace matin jardin cuisine

Défi

Try to use 'gelée' to describe both the weather and your breakfast in the same sentence.

Origine du mot

From the Latin 'gelata', the feminine past participle of 'gelare' (to freeze).

Sens originel : Frozen or solidified by cold.

Romance (Indo-European).

Contexte culturel

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that 'gelée' can be used in medical contexts (gelée de pétrole).

In the UK/US, 'jelly' often refers to a dessert (Jell-O), but in French, 'gelée' is more often a spread or a savory aspic.

'L'œuf en gelée' in classic French cookbooks like Pellaprat. Meteorological warnings on Météo France. Beekeeping associations discussing 'gelée royale'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Weather Forecast

  • gelées matinales
  • risques de gelée
  • gelée au sol
  • fortes gelées

Breakfast

  • gelée de fruits
  • gelée de groseilles
  • tartine à la gelée
  • pot de gelée

Gardening

  • craindre la gelée
  • gelées tardives
  • protéger du gel
  • la gelée a brûlé les feuilles

Fine Dining

  • œuf en gelée
  • gelée de viande
  • consistance de gelée
  • transparence de la gelée

Health

  • gelée royale
  • gelée de pétrole
  • bienfaits de la gelée
  • cure de gelée

Amorces de conversation

"As-tu vu la gelée blanche sur les arbres ce matin ?"

"Préfères-tu la gelée de framboises ou la confiture d'abricots ?"

"Est-ce qu'il y a souvent de la gelée dans ta région en hiver ?"

"Sais-tu comment on fait de la gelée de coing ?"

"As-tu déjà goûté à la gelée royale ?"

Sujets d'écriture

Décrivez un paysage d'hiver recouvert d'une fine gelée blanche.

Racontez votre petit-déjeuner idéal avec de la gelée de fruits.

Imaginez que vous êtes un jardinier qui doit protéger ses plantes de la gelée.

Quelle est la différence pour vous entre la gelée et la confiture ?

Parlez d'une fois où vous avez eu les jambes en gelée à cause de la peur.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It is always feminine: la gelée.

Gelée is general frost; givre is thicker, white ice from fog.

Yes, but French people usually call that specific dessert 'un flan' or 'de la gelée' in context.

It is a substance produced by bees to feed the queen bee.

No, use 'verglas' for dangerous road ice.

Gelée de fraises.

No, the verb is 'geler'.

Late frosts that happen in spring and damage plants.

Yes, very common in winter and for breakfast.

Culinary gelée often does, or pectin from fruit.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour les astuces et notes

Teste-toi 180 questions

writing

Describe the garden in the morning using the word 'gelée'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence asking for apple jelly at breakfast.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Explain why a gardener might be worried about the weather.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Describe the texture of jelly.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Use 'gelée royale' in a sentence about health.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Compare 'confiture' and 'gelée'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a weather report warning about ground frost.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Describe a car windshield in winter.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Use the idiom 'jambes en gelée'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a poetic sentence about frost and the moon.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Explain what 'œuf en gelée' is.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Describe the arrival of autumn.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Ask a friend if they like redcurrant jelly.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Describe the process of making jelly.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Warn someone about the cold weather.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Describe 'gelée noire'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Use 'gelée' in a sentence about a window.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write about a winter walk.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Talk about a favorite dessert.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Describe the color of quince jelly.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce: 'La gelée blanche'.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say: 'Je voudrais de la gelée de fraise.'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Describe a frosty morning in French.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Explain the difference between jam and jelly in French.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Warn a driver about frost in French.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say: 'La gelée royale est bonne pour la santé.'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Describe the idiom 'jambes en gelée' in French.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce: 'Œuf en gelée'.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say: 'Les gelées tardives sont dangereuses.'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Describe the color of apple jelly.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say: 'Le soleil fait fondre la gelée.'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Ask: 'Où est le pot de gelée ?'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Explain 'gelée noire' simply.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say: 'J'aime la gelée de coing.'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce: 'Gélatineux'.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say: 'Il n'y a pas de gelée aujourd'hui.'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Describe a frosty window.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say: 'La gelée de viande est salée.'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Ask for royal jelly in a pharmacy.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say: 'Le paysage est blanc de gelée.'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and identify the word: 'La météo annonce de la gelée.'

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen: 'Voulez-vous de la gelée de pommes ?' What fruit is mentioned?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen: 'Les gelées ont brûlé les fleurs.' What happened to the flowers?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen: 'C'est de la gelée royale.' Is it for breakfast or health?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen: 'L'œuf est en gelée.' How is the egg served?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen: 'Attention à la gelée au sol.' Where is the frost?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen: 'La gelée de pétrole est grasse.' What is the texture?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen: 'Il y a de la gelée sur le toit.' Where is the frost?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen: 'La gelée de coing est délicieuse.' What is delicious?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen: 'Les gelées tardives sont rares cette année.' Are they common?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen: 'La gelée fond au soleil.' What makes it melt?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen: 'J'ai les jambes en gelée.' How does the person feel?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen: 'La prise en gelée est réussie.' Is the jelly okay?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen: 'Une fine couche de gelée.' Is it thick or thin?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen: 'La gelée blanche est partout.' Where is it?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour t'entraîner

Contenu associé

Ce mot dans d'autres langues

Gelee الألمانية
C'tait utile ?

Commentaires (0)

Connectez-vous pour Commenter
Pas encore de commentaires. Soyez le premier à partager vos idées !