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dégraissé

A2 adjective 9 min read

dégraissé

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips dégraissé in 30 Seconds

Explanation dégraissé in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know 'dégraissé' in the context of food shopping. It is an adjective that tells you that the fat has been removed from something like ham or soup. You will see it on labels in the supermarket. Remember that 'dégraissé' is for meat and soup, while 'écrémé' is for milk. If you see 'jambon dégraissé', it means 'ham without fat'. It is a useful word for ordering healthy food or shopping for groceries in France. Focus on the fact that it describes the state of the food.

At the A2 level, you should be able to use 'dégraissé' in simple sentences and understand its agreement rules. Since it is an adjective, it changes based on whether the noun is masculine, feminine, or plural. For example: 'le bouillon dégraissé' (masculine) but 'la viande dégraissée' (feminine). You might also start to see it in simple instructions, like a recipe telling you to use a degreased stock. You should also recognize the difference between 'dégraissé' (processed to remove fat) and 'maigre' (naturally lean).

At the B1 level, you can use 'dégraissé' in a wider variety of contexts, including technical and mechanical ones. You might describe a bicycle chain that has been 'dégraissée' before being oiled again. You should also be comfortable using it as a past participle in passive constructions, such as 'La surface a été dégraissée'. At this level, you should also understand the verb form 'dégraisser' and how it relates to the adjective. You can explain why you are choosing a 'produit dégraissé' for health reasons using more complex sentence structures.

At the B2 level, you should be familiar with the metaphorical use of 'dégraissé' in business and economics. You will hear it in news reports about company restructurings. You should understand that calling a company 'dégraissée' implies it has cut its workforce or reduced its 'wasteful' spending. You should also be able to distinguish between nuances like 'allégé', 'écrémé', and 'dégraissé' in professional culinary or nutritional discussions. Your use of the word should reflect an understanding of register—knowing that 'dégraisser les effectifs' can be a sensitive or harsh term.

At the C1 level, you should appreciate the stylistic and rhetorical uses of 'dégraissé'. You might use it to describe a writing style that is 'dégraissé'—meaning it is lean, direct, and free of unnecessary adjectives or flourishes. You should be able to discuss the socio-economic implications of 'dégraissage' in the labor market. Your mastery of the word includes knowing its collocations in various fields, from high-end gastronomy to industrial engineering. You can use the word to add precision and flavor to your descriptions of processes and states.

At the C2 level, you have a complete grasp of the word's etymology and its place in the French linguistic landscape. You can use it with irony or sophisticated metaphor. You might analyze how the term 'dégraissé' has shifted from a purely physical description to a neoliberal economic buzzword. You can navigate the most technical manuals or the most abstract philosophical texts where the concept of removing the 'fat' or 'excess' is used. You understand the subtle connotations the word carries in different historical periods of French industrial and culinary development.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

dégraissé in 30 Seconds

Dégraissé means 'fat-removed'.
Used for food (ham, broth) and mechanics (engines).
Metaphorically used for business downsizing.
Agrees in gender and number with the noun.

The French word dégraissé is primarily an adjective derived from the past participle of the verb dégraisser (to degrease). At its most literal level, it describes something that has had its fat, grease, or oil removed. This is a word you will encounter frequently in culinary contexts, industrial settings, and even in modern economic discussions. When you are at a French supermarket, you might see it on packaging for ham or broth, indicating a healthier, leaner option. In a workshop, it refers to a mechanical part that has been cleaned of lubricants. In the news, it might describe a company that has undergone 'slimming down' or downsizing. Understanding this word requires looking at both its physical and metaphorical applications.

Culinary Context: In French cooking, a 'bouillon dégraissé' is a stock where the fat has been skimmed off the top after cooling. This is essential for clear soups and refined sauces. Similarly, 'jambon dégraissé' refers to ham with the outer layer of fat trimmed away.

Pour une alimentation plus saine, il est préférable de consommer du bouillon dégraissé.

Beyond the kitchen, the word takes on a more industrial or technical tone. If you are repairing a bicycle or a car, you might need a surface to be perfectly 'dégraissée' before applying paint or glue. This ensures that the adhesive bonds directly to the material without a layer of oil interfering. In professional cleaning, 'dégraissé' signifies a state of absolute cleanliness regarding organic or synthetic oils. It is a word of precision, suggesting that a process has been completed to reach a specific standard of purity or leanness.

Economic/Business Context: Metaphorically, 'dégraissé' is used to describe an organization that has reduced its workforce or expenses to become more efficient. While often controversial because it implies layoffs, it is a standard term in financial journalism.

L'entreprise a présenté un bilan dégraissé après des mois de restructuration.

Finally, it is worth noting the register of the word. In its literal sense, it is neutral and descriptive. In its metaphorical sense (business), it can be perceived as slightly cold or technocratic, as it treats human resources as 'fat' to be trimmed. However, in everyday life, you will most often see it on food labels, where it carries a positive connotation of health and lightness. It is a versatile adjective that bridges the gap between the frying pan and the boardroom.

Using dégraissé correctly requires attention to gender and number agreement, as it functions as a standard French adjective. Because it originates from a past participle, it follows the noun it modifies. If you are talking about a masculine singular noun like 'le bouillon', you use 'dégraissé'. For a feminine singular noun like 'la viande', you must add an 'e' to become 'dégraissée'. For plurals, add 's' (masculine) or 'es' (feminine).

Agreement Rules: Masculine: dégraissé / dégraissés. Feminine: dégraissée / dégraissées. Always match the noun you are describing.

Ces tranches de jambon sont parfaitement dégraissées.

In a culinary context, the word is often used as part of a compound noun or a specific culinary term. For example, 'du lait dégraissé' is a common way to say skimmed milk, although 'écrémé' is more technically precise for dairy. When following a recipe, you might see instructions like 'servez le jus dégraissé' (serve the degreased juices). This implies that the chef has already performed the action of removing the fat, and the resulting state is what is being described.

Le mécanicien a utilisé un chiffon pour essuyer la pièce dégraissée.

When using the word in a metaphorical business sense, it often appears in the context of 'une structure dégraissée' or 'un effectif dégraissé'. Here, it describes a group or organization that has been made smaller. It is important to use this carefully, as it can sound insensitive in social contexts. However, in a professional or analytical setting, it is a very common way to describe the result of cost-cutting measures. Remember that the word focuses on the result of the cleaning or trimming process.

Common Sentence Patterns: [Noun] + [être] + dégraissé. Example: 'Le bouillon est dégraissé.' OR [Article] + [Noun] + dégraissé. Example: 'Un jambon dégraissé.'

You will encounter dégraissé in several distinct environments in France and other French-speaking countries. The most common place is the supermarket. Look at the labels for 'jambon blanc' (white ham) or 'bouillons de cube' (stock cubes). You will frequently see 'dégraissé' or 'dégraissé -25% de sel' (degreased -25% salt). It is a key marketing term for health-conscious consumers who want to avoid excess saturated fats.

Au rayon boucherie, j'ai choisi du jambon dégraissé pour mon sandwich.

Another frequent location is the garage or workshop. Mechanics and DIY enthusiasts use 'dégraissant' (the product) to achieve a 'pièce dégraissée' (the result). If you are watching a French tutorial on car repair or home improvement, you will hear this word constantly. It is an essential step before painting a wall or fixing a leak, as surfaces must be free of grease to allow for proper adhesion.

In the news and media, particularly on channels like BFM TV or in newspapers like 'Les Échos', the word appears in economic reports. When a large corporation announces a restructuring plan, journalists might say the company is now 'dégraissée'. This refers to the elimination of redundant positions or unprofitable departments. It is a term of corporate efficiency that has become part of the standard French business lexicon over the last few decades.

In the Kitchen: 'Il faut que le bouillon soit bien dégraissé avant de réduire la sauce.' (The stock must be well degreased before reducing the sauce.)

Finally, you might hear it in medical or health contexts. A nutritionist might recommend 'des produits dégraissés' as part of a specific diet. While 'allégé' (light) is also common, 'dégraissé' is more specific to the removal of lipids. Whether you are reading a menu, a technical manual, or a financial report, this word signals that something has been stripped down to its essential, non-fatty core.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing dégraissé with écrémé or maigre. While they all relate to low fat, they are not interchangeable. 'Écrémé' is strictly for dairy products (literally 'skimmed of cream'). You would never say 'un jambon écrémé'. Conversely, while you can say 'du lait dégraissé', it is much more natural to say 'du lait écrémé'.

Dégraissé vs. Maigre: Use 'maigre' for something naturally lean (like a lean person or a lean piece of steak). Use 'dégraissé' for something that had fat removed by a person or process.

Incorrect: Ce lait est maigre. Correct: Ce lait est écrémé (or dégraissé).

Another mistake is using 'dégraissé' to describe a person who has lost weight. In English, we might say someone has 'leaned out', but in French, 'un homme dégraissé' sounds very strange and mechanical, almost as if he were a piece of meat or a machine. To say someone has become thin or lean, use 'minci' or 's'est affiné'. Save 'dégraissé' for objects, food, and organizations.

Finally, avoid confusing the adjective with the verb. 'J'ai dégraissé le moteur' (I degreased the engine) uses the past participle as a verb. 'Le moteur dégraissé est propre' uses it as an adjective. While the word looks the same, its function in the sentence changes how you translate it into English ('degreased' as an action vs. 'degreased' as a state).

Common Confusion: Don't confuse 'dégraissé' with 'desséché' (dried out). Removing fat doesn't necessarily mean removing moisture, though in cooking, a dégraissé meat can sometimes become dry if overcooked.

Depending on the context, there are several words you might use instead of dégraissé. If you are talking about food and want to emphasize that it is low in calories or fat, allégé (lightened) is a very popular alternative. While 'dégraissé' specifically mentions fat, 'allégé' can refer to sugar, fat, or overall calorie count. This is a broader marketing term frequently seen on yogurt and snacks.

Comparison: Dégraissé vs. Allégé: 'Dégraissé' is a technical description (fat removed). 'Allégé' is a marketing/dietary description (light/low-calorie).

Pour mon régime, j'achète du yaourt allégé et du bouillon dégraissé.

In an industrial or mechanical context, you might use nettoyé (cleaned) or décapé (stripped). 'Décapé' is stronger and implies removing a layer of paint, rust, or heavy grime, whereas 'dégraissé' specifically targets the oily residue. If you are cleaning a window, you wouldn't say it is 'dégraissée' unless there was actual grease on it; you would just say it is 'propre' (clean) or 'lavée' (washed).

In business, synonyms for a 'dégraissée' company include restructurée (restructured) or optimisée (optimized). These are more professional and less graphic than 'dégraissé'. If you want to describe a style that is minimalist and without excess, you might use épuré. This is common in art, design, and architecture to describe a 'clean' or 'streamlined' look that lacks unnecessary ornamentation.

Alternative Words: 1. Maigre: Naturally low in fat. 2. Écrémé: Specifically for dairy. 3. Épuré: Refined/Minimalist. 4. Allégé: Low-calorie/Light.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The term 'dégraisser le mammouth' was famously used by French minister Claude Allègre in 1997 to describe reforming the education system, causing a huge controversy.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /de.ɡʁɛ.se/

US /de.ɡʁe.se/

The stress is on the last syllable 'sé'.

Rhymes With

passé cassé glacé placé tracé effacé lacé forcé

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 's' as a 'z' (it's a sharp 'ss' sound).
Forgetting to pronounce the 'd' clearly at the start.
Making the 'r' too soft like an English 'r'.
Confusing the 'é' at the end with an 'e' sound.
Not distinguishing between dégraissé and dégraissée (though they sound the same).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize on labels.

Writing 3/5

Must remember the accent and agreement.

Speaking 3/5

The 'gr' sound can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound, often clear in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

gras viande bouillon faire enlever

Learn Next

écrémé allégé restructuration efficace mince

Advanced

clarifier émulsionner décanter élaguer

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

La soupe (f) est dégraissée (f).

Past Participle as Adjective

Un moteur (m) dégraissé (m).

Placement of Adjectives

Un bouillon dégraissé (after the noun).

Prefix 'dé-' meaning removal

Dégraisser, déboucher, déplier.

Passive Voice with être

Le jambon a été dégraissé par le boucher.

Examples by Level

Je voudrais du jambon dégraissé.

I would like some degreased ham.

Adjective follows the noun 'jambon'.

Le bouillon est dégraissé.

The broth is degreased.

Subject-verb-adjective agreement.

C'est un produit dégraissé.

It is a degreased product.

Masculine singular form.

Voici de la soupe dégraissée.

Here is some degreased soup.

Feminine singular form (dégraissée).

Le plat est trop gras, il n'est pas dégraissé.

The dish is too fatty, it is not degreased.

Negative construction.

Achetez du jambon dégraissé au supermarché.

Buy degreased ham at the supermarket.

Imperative sentence.

Ma mère préfère le bouillon dégraissé.

My mother prefers degreased broth.

Expressing preference.

Est-ce que ce jambon est dégraissé ?

Is this ham degreased?

Simple question.

Il a mangé une tranche de jambon dégraissé.

He ate a slice of degreased ham.

Compound past tense with an adjective.

La viande dégraissée est meilleure pour la santé.

Degreased meat is better for health.

Feminine agreement.

Nous avons acheté des bouillons dégraissés.

We bought some degreased broths.

Masculine plural agreement.

Elle prépare une sauce avec du jus dégraissé.

She is preparing a sauce with degreased juice.

Using 'du' (some) with the adjective.

Ce moteur semble bien dégraissé.

This engine seems well degreased.

Linking verb 'semble'.

Les pièces dégraissées sont prêtes pour la peinture.

The degreased parts are ready for painting.

Feminine plural agreement.

Tu dois utiliser un chiffon dégraissé.

You must use a degreased cloth.

Modal verb 'devoir'.

Le chef veut un bouillon parfaitement dégraissé.

The chef wants a perfectly degreased broth.

Adverb 'parfaitement' modifying the adjective.

Une fois dégraissé, le support peut être peint.

Once degreased, the surface can be painted.

Adjective used in a conditional/temporal clause.

Il est important que le bouillon soit bien dégraissé.

It is important that the broth be well degreased.

Subjunctive mood after 'il est important que'.

J'ai trouvé ce jambon dégraissé très fade.

I found this degreased ham very bland.

Direct object complement.

La chaîne de vélo doit être dégraissée régulièrement.

The bicycle chain must be degreased regularly.

Passive voice with an adjective/past participle.

Le mécanicien a rendu les outils bien dégraissés.

The mechanic returned the tools well degreased.

Adjective modifying the plural object.

Après avoir été dégraissé, le métal ne rouille plus.

After being degreased, the metal no longer rusts.

Past infinitive passive.

On peut acheter du lait dégraissé partout.

One can buy skimmed milk everywhere.

Indefinite pronoun 'on'.

Cette méthode permet d'obtenir un bouillon dégraissé rapidement.

This method allows one to obtain a degreased broth quickly.

Infinitive construction.

L'entreprise, désormais dégraissée, a retrouvé sa rentabilité.

The company, now downsized, has regained its profitability.

Metaphorical use in business.

Le gouvernement prône un État dégraissé et plus efficace.

The government advocates for a streamlined and more efficient State.

Political/Economic context.

Ce texte est très dégraissé, il va droit au but.

This text is very lean; it goes straight to the point.

Stylistic metaphor.

Bien que dégraissé, ce plat conserve toutes ses saveurs.

Although degreased, this dish retains all its flavors.

Concession with 'bien que'.

Les effectifs ont été dégraissés pour réduire les coûts.

The workforce has been downsized to reduce costs.

Business terminology.

Il a présenté un projet dégraissé de toute fioriture.

He presented a project stripped of all flourishes.

Abstract usage.

Une administration dégraissée ne signifie pas forcément moins de services.

A streamlined administration does not necessarily mean fewer services.

Complex subject phrase.

La structure du groupe a été dégraissée l'année dernière.

The group's structure was streamlined last year.

Passive voice in business.

L'esthétique dégraissée de ce film rappelle le minimalisme scandinave.

The lean aesthetic of this film recalls Scandinavian minimalism.

Artistic/Critical register.

Un style dégraissé permet de mettre en valeur l'essentiel du récit.

A lean style allows the essence of the narrative to be highlighted.

Literary analysis.

Après ce dégraissage massif, l'appareil productif est plus agile.

After this massive downsizing, the production apparatus is more agile.

Economic theory context.

Il s'agit d'un moteur dégraissé à la vapeur pour éviter les solvants.

It is a steam-degreased engine to avoid solvents.

Technical specification.

Sa prose, dégraissée de tout adjectif inutile, est d'une force rare.

His prose, stripped of every useless adjective, is of a rare strength.

Appositive adjective phrase.

L'organisme, une fois dégraissé par le jeûne, retrouve sa vitalité.

The body, once cleansed by fasting, regains its vitality.

Medical/Biological metaphor.

Le budget a été dégraissé jusqu'à l'os.

The budget was cut to the bone.

Idiomatic expression 'jusqu'à l'os'.

L'industrie a besoin de processus dégraissés pour rester compétitive.

Industry needs streamlined processes to remain competitive.

Formal industrial discourse.

L'ontologie dégraissée de Quine refuse les entités superflues.

Quine's lean ontology refuses superfluous entities.

Philosophical/Academic register.

La rhétorique politique, bien que dégraissée en apparence, cache souvent des non-dits.

Political rhetoric, although seemingly lean, often hides unspoken truths.

Complex political analysis.

Le texte, dégraissé de ses scories, révèle enfin sa structure profonde.

The text, stripped of its dross, finally reveals its deep structure.

Metaphorical use of 'scories' (slag/waste).

Dans cette mise en scène dégraissée, seul le jeu des acteurs compte.

In this stripped-back production, only the actors' performances matter.

Theatrical criticism.

Une économie dégraissée par la crise ne repart pas toujours plus forte.

An economy thinned out by the crisis does not always restart stronger.

Macroeconomic analysis.

Il a adopté une hygiène de vie dégraissée de toute tentation consumériste.

He adopted a lifestyle stripped of all consumerist temptation.

Social/Philosophical commentary.

L'œuvre tardive du peintre est dégraissée, presque ascétique.

The painter's late work is lean, almost ascetic.

Art history register.

Le management a imposé une vision dégraissée de l'entreprise au détriment de l'humain.

Management imposed a lean vision of the company at the expense of the human element.

Critical corporate discourse.

Common Collocations

jambon dégraissé

bouillon dégraissé

moteur dégraissé

effectif dégraissé

jus dégraissé

métal dégraissé

budget dégraissé

lait dégraissé

pièce dégraissée

structure dégraissée

Common Phrases

dégraissé à l'os

— Cut to the bone; reduced to the absolute minimum.

Le service public a été dégraissé à l'os.

bien dégraissé

— Thoroughly degreased.

Le bouillon doit être bien dégraissé.

partiellement dégraissé

— Partially skimmed or degreased.

C'est un produit partiellement dégraissé.

jambon cuit dégraissé

— Cooked ham with fat removed.

Voulez-vous du jambon cuit dégraissé ?

bouillon de volaille dégraissé

— Degreased chicken stock.

Utilisez un bouillon de volaille dégraissé pour le risotto.

moteur dégraissé à la vapeur

— Steam-degreased engine.

Le moteur dégraissé à la vapeur brille comme neuf.

entreprise dégraissée

— A company that has downsized.

C'est une entreprise dégraissée mais efficace.

viande dégraissée à la main

— Meat degreased by hand.

Cette viande dégraissée à la main est de haute qualité.

support dégraissé

— A surface that has been degreased.

Appliquez la colle sur un support dégraissé.

style dégraissé

— A lean, no-nonsense style.

Il écrit dans un style dégraissé.

Often Confused With

dégraissé vs écrémé

Used only for dairy, whereas dégraissé is for meat/soup/parts.

dégraissé vs maigre

Maigre is naturally lean; dégraissé had the fat removed.

dégraissé vs allégé

Allégé is a general marketing term for 'light' (less sugar or fat).

Idioms & Expressions

"dégraisser le mammouth"

— A famous French political idiom meaning to slim down a huge, heavy administration (often referring to the National Education system).

Le ministre veut dégraisser le mammouth.

political/informal

"dégraisser les effectifs"

— To reduce the number of employees in a company.

La direction a décidé de dégraisser les effectifs.

business

"être dégraissé jusqu'à la corde"

— To be worn down or cut back to the absolute limit.

Le budget est dégraissé jusqu'à la corde.

informal

Easily Confused

dégraissé vs maigre

Both mean low fat.

Maigre is a natural state (a lean man), while dégraissé is the result of an action (fat removed from ham).

Un steak maigre vs. un bouillon dégraissé.

dégraissé vs écrémé

Both mean skimming fat.

Écrémé is specifically for removing cream from milk.

Lait écrémé vs. jambon dégraissé.

dégraissé vs allégé

Both are health claims.

Allégé can mean less of anything (calories, sugar), while dégraissé is specifically about fat.

Yaourt allégé vs. jus dégraissé.

dégraissé vs propre

A degreased part is clean.

Propre is general; dégraissé means specifically no oil/grease left.

Une assiette propre vs. une pièce dégraissée.

dégraissé vs épuré

Both mean removing excess.

Épuré is artistic/stylistic; dégraissé is physical/economic.

Un design épuré vs. un budget dégraissé.

Sentence Patterns

C'est [nom] dégraissé.

C'est du jambon dégraissé.

Je cherche [nom] dégraissé.

Je cherche de la viande dégraissée.

Il faut que ce soit dégraissé.

Il faut que le support soit dégraissé.

L'entreprise a été dégraissée.

L'entreprise a été dégraissée pour survivre.

Une esthétique dégraissée de...

Une esthétique dégraissée de tout artifice.

Dégraissé jusqu'à...

Le budget est dégraissé jusqu'à l'os.

Une fois dégraissé, ...

Une fois dégraissé, le métal est prêt.

Le [nom] est-il dégraissé ?

Le bouillon est-il dégraissé ?

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in grocery shopping and technical fields; occasional in news.

Common Mistakes

Le lait est maigre. → Le lait est écrémé.
We use 'écrémé' for milk, not 'maigre'.
Une soupe dégraissé. → Une soupe dégraissée.
Soupe is feminine, so the adjective needs an 'e'.
Il est dégraissé (describing a person). → Il est mince.
'Dégraissé' is for objects and meat, not people.
J'ai dégraissé (meaning I lost weight). → J'ai maigri.
Use the verb 'maigrir' for personal weight loss.
Un jambon écrémé. → Un jambon dégraissé.
'Écrémé' is only for dairy products.

Tips

Agreement

Always check if your noun is feminine. If it is, add an 'e': dégraissée.

Shopping

Look for 'dégraissé' on ham labels if you want the healthiest option.

The 'é'

Make sure the final 'é' doesn't sound like 'uh'. It should be like 'ay' in 'play'.

Mechanics

In a garage, 'dégraissé' is a sign of a job well done before painting.

Downsizing

Be careful using this word about people's jobs; it sounds very clinical.

Clarifying

A 'bouillon dégraissé' is the secret to a professional-looking clear soup.

Prefixes

Recognize the 'dé-' prefix to help you understand many other French verbs.

Spelling

Don't forget the acute accent (é) on the 'd' and the 'e'.

Stock Cubes

When buying stock cubes, 'dégraissé' is a common variety.

Politics

Remember the 'mammoth' idiom to understand French political debates.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'DE-GREASE'. 'Dé' = 'De', 'graissé' = 'greased'. So it literally means 'de-greased'.

Visual Association

Imagine a chef skimming a layer of yellow oil off a pot of soup with a spoon. That soup is now 'dégraissé'.

Word Web

cuisine moteur santé jambon bouillon économie nettoyage mince

Challenge

Go to a French grocery website (like Carrefour or Auchan) and search for 'dégraissé'. See how many products use this word.

Word Origin

From the French verb 'dégraisser', which combines the prefix 'dé-' (expressing removal or reversal) and 'graisse' (fat/grease).

Original meaning: To remove fat from something.

Romance (Latin root 'crassus' meaning thick/fat).

Cultural Context

Be careful using it for business; it can sound like you are calling employees 'fat'.

In English, we often use 'skimmed' for liquids and 'lean' or 'trimmed' for meat. 'Degreased' sounds more industrial in English than it does in French.

Claude Allègre's 'mammouth' speech. French culinary manuals by Escoffier. Labels on 'Herta' brand ham.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Supermarket Shopping

Où est le jambon dégraissé ?
Est-ce dégraissé ?
Je cherche du bouillon dégraissé.
C'est trop gras, je veux du dégraissé.

Cooking

Dégraissez le jus de viande.
Le bouillon est-il dégraissé ?
Servez le plat dégraissé.
Clarifiez et dégraissez.

Mechanical Work

La pièce est dégraissée.
Utilisez un produit dégraissé.
Il faut que ce soit bien dégraissé.
Nettoyez le moteur dégraissé.

Business/Economy

L'entreprise est dégraissée.
Un effectif dégraissé.
Le budget a été dégraissé.
Une structure dégraissée.

Health/Diet

Je mange dégraissé.
C'est un régime dégraissé.
Privilégiez les aliments dégraissés.
Le docteur dit de manger dégraissé.

Conversation Starters

"Préférez-vous le jambon dégraissé ou normal ?"

"Est-ce que tu dégraisses toujours ton bouillon avant de cuisiner ?"

"Penses-tu qu'une entreprise dégraissée est toujours plus efficace ?"

"Comment peut-on obtenir un moteur parfaitement dégraissé ?"

"Est-ce difficile de trouver des produits dégraissés dans ton pays ?"

Journal Prompts

Décrivez votre routine pour cuisiner un plat sain et dégraissé.

Que pensez-vous de l'expression 'dégraisser le mammouth' ?

Racontez une fois où vous avez dû nettoyer une pièce mécanique dégraissée.

Est-ce que manger dégraissé est important pour vous ? Pourquoi ?

Imaginez une entreprise idéale : est-elle dégraissée ou généreuse en effectifs ?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, 'lait dégraissé' is understood, but 'lait écrémé' is much more common and natural in French.

In food, it is positive (healthy). In business, it can be negative (implies job losses).

Yes, 'dégraissé' and 'dégraissée' are pronounced exactly the same way.

The verb is 'dégraisser'. For example: 'Je dégraisse la soupe'.

It is ham with both the fat (gras) and the rind (couenne) removed.

No, it sounds mechanical and rude. Use 'mince' or 'maigre' instead.

Yes, 'nettoyage à sec' (dry cleaning) is a form of 'dégraissage' for fabrics.

The most direct opposite is 'gras' (fatty) or 'non dégraissé'.

Yes, it is an everyday word found on many food packages in France.

Metaphorically, yes, to describe 'bloatware-free' or 'lean' code, but it is less common than 'épuré'.