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indigestion

A2 noun #7,000 most common 12 min read

indigestion

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips indigestion in 30 Seconds

Explanation indigestion in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should recognize 'indigestion' as a word for feeling sick after eating. You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet. Focus on the simple phrase 'J'ai une indigestion' (I have indigestion). It is important to know that it is a 'mal' (a pain or sickness) related to 'manger' (eating). You might see this word in a basic health chapter of a textbook. Remember it is feminine: 'une indigestion'. If you feel bad after a meal, this is the word to use. It sounds very similar to English, which makes it easy to remember, but try to practice the French pronunciation where the 'in' is nasal and the 'tion' sounds like 'see-on'. Even at this early stage, knowing this word helps you communicate basic physical needs to a doctor or a host. You can combine it with 'trop' (too much), as in 'J'ai trop mangé, j'ai une indigestion.' This shows a clear cause-and-effect relationship that is useful for beginners. Don't worry about the metaphorical meanings yet; just focus on the stomach ache after a big meal.

At the A2 level, you should be able to use 'indigestion' in more descriptive sentences. You can start using the verb 'faire' instead of just 'avoir', as in 'Il a fait une indigestion'. You should also be able to specify the cause using 'de', such as 'une indigestion de chocolat'. At this level, you are learning to talk about past events, so you might say 'Hier, j'ai fait une indigestion parce que j'ai mangé trop de gâteau.' You should also recognize the word in simple medical contexts, like at a pharmacy. You might be asked 'C'est une indigestion ?' and you should be able to answer 'Oui, j'ai mal au ventre'. You are also starting to learn about feminine word endings, so 'indigestion' is a great example of the '-tion' rule. You should also be aware that French people might say 'crise de foie' for the same thing. Practice using adjectives like 'petite' or 'grosse' to describe how bad it is. 'J'ai une petite indigestion' is a very useful phrase for social situations where you want to decline more food politely without sounding too dramatic.

At the B1 level, you can use 'indigestion' in both literal and figurative contexts. You should be comfortable discussing symptoms and treatments. For example, 'Pour soigner une indigestion, il faut boire beaucoup d'eau.' You can also use it to express being overwhelmed: 'J'ai une indigestion de travail en ce moment.' This shows a higher level of fluency. You should understand the difference between 'indigestion' and 'intoxication alimentaire' and use them correctly in a conversation with a doctor. Your sentence structures can become more complex, using relative clauses: 'Le repas que j'ai mangé hier m'a causé une indigestion.' You should also be aware of the cultural context in France, where big meals are common and talking about digestion is socially acceptable. You might participate in a discussion about healthy eating and use the word to describe the consequences of a poor diet. You can also start using more varied adjectives like 'passagère' (temporary) or 'chronique' (chronic). Understanding the nasal 'in' and the 'tion' suffix's pronunciation is now expected to be quite accurate.

At the B2 level, you should use 'indigestion' with nuance and precision. You can discuss the social and cultural implications of 'indigestion' in French society, perhaps in an essay about food culture. You should be able to use the word in formal reports or professional settings, especially in its metaphorical sense. For example, 'La saturation du marché provoque une indigestion de l'offre.' You should be familiar with more advanced vocabulary related to the digestive system, like 'pesanteur' or 'ballonnement', and know how 'indigestion' fits into that lexical field. You can use the word in hypothetical sentences: 'Si j'avais mangé moins de fromage, je n'aurais pas fait cette indigestion.' You should also be able to understand more complex literary or journalistic uses, where 'indigestion' might be used to critique a society that consumes too much. Your pronunciation should be near-native, correctly handling the 'g' sound and the liaison if applicable. You can also use the word in common idioms and understand when a speaker is being hyperbolic vs. literal.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of 'indigestion' and its place in the French language. You can use it to make sophisticated points about psychology or sociology. For example, you might discuss 'l'indigestion informationnelle' (information overload) in a debate about social media. You should be able to appreciate and use the word in various registers, from the very formal medical register to the colloquial. You understand the historical and cultural weight of terms like 'crise de foie' and can use them ironically or precisely. You can write detailed descriptions of physical sensations using 'indigestion' as a starting point, incorporating a wide range of synonyms and related terms to avoid repetition. Your grasp of the word's etymology (from Latin 'indigestio') helps you understand its relationship to other words like 'digérer' or 'indigeste'. You can use the word in complex rhetorical structures to emphasize a point about excess or rejection. You are also sensitive to the subtle differences between 'indigestion' and other digestive ailments, allowing for very precise communication in any context.

At the C2 level, you master the word 'indigestion' in all its complexity. You can use it in academic writing, literary analysis, or high-level professional negotiations. You might explore the word's use in 19th-century French literature as a symbol of bourgeois excess. You can use the word with perfect grammatical accuracy in the most complex sentence structures, including the subjunctive or the past anterior. Your metaphorical use of the word is creative and impactful, perhaps coining new phrases like 'une indigestion de conformisme'. You can navigate the most technical medical discussions about 'indigestion' while also being able to switch to the most casual slang without hesitation. You understand the full range of emotional connotations the word can carry—from humor to disgust to genuine physical suffering. You can act as a bridge between cultures, explaining the specific French nuances of 'indigestion' to non-native speakers. Your command of the word is such that it is no longer a 'vocabulary item' but a versatile tool in your linguistic arsenal, used with total spontaneity and precision.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

indigestion in 30 Seconds

Indigestion is a feminine French noun meaning stomach discomfort caused by eating too much or too rich food, often used after big holiday meals.
The most common verb phrase used with this word is 'faire une indigestion', which translates to 'to have or get indigestion' in English.
Metaphorically, it describes being overwhelmed by an excess of something, such as 'une indigestion d'informations' (information overload) or 'une indigestion de travail'.
Pronunciation is key: it uses a nasal 'in' and ends with a 'tion' sound similar to 'see-on', avoiding the English 'j' sound.

The French word indigestion is a feminine noun that refers to the physical discomfort or pain felt in the upper abdomen, typically occurring after eating too much, eating too quickly, or consuming food that the body struggles to process. While it is a cognate of the English word, its usage in French-speaking cultures carries a specific weight, often linked to the legendary French appreciation for rich, multi-course meals. In France, discussing one's digestion is not considered as taboo as it might be in some English-speaking cultures; rather, it is a common topic of conversation after a heavy holiday feast like the Réveillon. The term captures a range of symptoms from bloating and gas to nausea and a general sense of being 'overstuffed'. It is essential to note that in casual conversation, French people might also refer to this as a crise de foie (literally a 'liver crisis'), even if the liver isn't technically the issue. Understanding indigestion requires recognizing it as both a medical symptom and a social marker of overindulgence.

Grammatical Gender: Feminine (une indigestion, l'indigestion). Even though it ends in -ion, which is a common feminine suffix in French, learners often mistake it because of its English counterpart.

Après avoir mangé tout ce chocolat, j'ai une terrible indigestion.

Beyond the physical, the word is frequently used metaphorically. Just as your stomach can reject too much food, your mind can suffer from an 'indigestion' of information, work, or even a specific person's company. This figurative use is quite common in journalism and literature to describe a state of being overwhelmed or fed up. For example, a student might have an indigestion de révisions before an exam. This versatility makes it a high-frequency word despite its specific medical roots. When you hear a native speaker say they have an 'indigestion de réunions', they aren't talking about their stomach; they are expressing profound boredom or exhaustion from too many meetings.

Register: Neutral to Formal. It is appropriate for doctor visits, family settings, and professional writing. In very informal slang, one might say 'j'ai mal au bide'.

Le trop-plein d'informations finit par provoquer une indigestion mentale chez les citoyens.

In summary, indigestion is a word that bridges the gap between biological necessity and cultural habits. It is most frequently used during the winter holidays or after large family gatherings. Because French meals often consist of several courses—entrée, plat principal, fromage, dessert—the risk of an indigestion is a recognized part of the culinary experience. It is not just a 'stomach ache' (mal d'estomac); it is a specific reaction to the quantity or quality of what was ingested. Use it when the cause of the pain is clearly food-related or when you are figuratively 'sick of' something.

Common Collocation: 'Faire une indigestion' is the standard verb phrase. You don't just 'have' it; you 'make' it (metaphorically speaking).

Attention à ne pas faire une indigestion avec ces fruits de mer.

Il a été absent hier à cause d'une indigestion carabinée.

Using indigestion correctly in French involves mastering its gender and the verbs that typically accompany it. As a feminine noun, it always takes feminine articles: une indigestion, la indigestion (which becomes l'indigestion), or cette indigestion. The most common verb construction is faire une indigestion. While in English we 'get' or 'have' indigestion, in French, the action of 'doing' or 'making' it emphasizes the body's reaction to the food. For example, 'J'ai fait une indigestion' means 'I had indigestion.' You can also use the verb avoir, but faire is more idiomatic when describing the onset of the condition after a specific meal. Let's look at how this fits into various sentence structures.

The Cause: To specify what caused the indigestion, use the preposition 'de'. 'Une indigestion de crevettes' (indigestion from shrimp).

Elle a fait une indigestion de gâteau à la crème.

When describing the severity, French uses adjectives like légère (slight), forte (strong), or the more colorful carabinée (severe/violent). This last one is very common in spoken French to emphasize how sick someone felt. If you want to talk about preventing it, you might use verbs like éviter (to avoid) or prévenir (to prevent). In a medical context, a doctor might ask, 'Souffrez-vous d'indigestions fréquentes ?' (Do you suffer from frequent indigestion?). Note the plural form here; although we often treat it as an uncountable concept in English, French treats it as a countable event.

Metaphorical Usage: Used with 'de' to indicate an excess of something non-food related. 'Une indigestion de chiffres' (an overload of numbers).

Le public commence à avoir une indigestion de publicités à la télévision.

In negative sentences, the structure remains standard. 'Je ne veux pas faire d'indigestion' (I don't want to get indigestion). Notice how 'une' changes to 'de' after the negation. If you are describing a chronic condition, you might use souffrir de. 'Il souffre d'indigestion chronique' (He suffers from chronic indigestion). In this case, the article is often omitted after 'de'. This level of detail helps in transitioning from simple A2 sentences to more complex B1 and B2 structures where you describe symptoms and causes with greater precision.

Verb Pairing: Common verbs: provoquer (to provoke), causer (to cause), soigner (to treat), calmer (to soothe).

Ce médicament aide à calmer l' indigestion rapidement.

À force de lire des nouvelles tristes, on finit par faire une indigestion émotionnelle.

You will encounter the word indigestion in a variety of everyday French contexts, ranging from the domestic to the professional. Perhaps the most common place is around the dinner table. France is famous for its long, rich meals, especially during celebrations like Noël (Christmas) or le jour de l'An (New Year's Day). After a meal involving foie gras, multiple cheeses, and heavy desserts, it is very common to hear someone groan, 'Ouh là, je crois que je vais faire une indigestion.' In this context, it is almost a compliment to the host, suggesting the food was so plentiful and delicious that one couldn't stop eating.

At the Pharmacy: Pharmacies in France are ubiquitous. You might go in and say: 'Bonjour, j'ai une indigestion, qu'est-ce que vous me conseillez ?' (Hello, I have indigestion, what do you recommend?).

Le pharmacien m'a donné un sachet pour mon indigestion.

Another frequent setting is in the media, specifically in political or economic commentary. French journalists love the 'indigestion' metaphor. You might hear it on a news channel like BFM TV or read it in Le Monde. For instance, 'Les contribuables font une indigestion d'impôts' (Taxpayers are fed up with taxes). Here, the word conveys a sense of reaching a breaking point or being saturated beyond capacity. It is a powerful way to describe public fatigue with a particular policy or trend. In schools, teachers might use it to describe a syllabus that is too dense: 'Attention à l'indigestion de vocabulaire !'

In Literature: Classic and modern French novels often use the word to describe the physical state of characters after decadent scenes of gluttony, common in works by Zola or Balzac.

Dans son roman, l'auteur décrit l' indigestion de la bourgeoisie face à tant de luxe.

Finally, you will hear it in the workplace. If a project is moving too fast or there is too much data to process, a manager might say, 'On risque l'indigestion si on ajoute encore des données.' This highlights the word's utility in professional French to signal that a limit has been reached. Whether it's a literal stomach ache or a figurative overload, indigestion is the go-to term for saying 'too much is too much'. It's a word that resonates with the French value of 'mesure' (moderation), even if it's usually invoked when that moderation has been ignored.

Advertising: You'll see it in ads for digestive aids like 'Citrate de Bétaïne' or 'Gaviscon', often with slogans about 'retrouver la légèreté'.

Ne laissez pas une indigestion gâcher votre soirée de fête.

Il a une indigestion de films de super-héros, il veut voir autre chose.

For English speakers, indigestion is a 'true friend' (it means exactly what you think it means), but it is also a minefield for grammatical and phonetic errors. The most frequent mistake is getting the gender wrong. Because 'indigestion' is masculine in English (well, English doesn't have grammatical gender, but we treat it as a neutral 'it'), learners often want to say 'un indigestion'. Remember: almost all French words ending in -tion are feminine. Always associate it with une or la.

Pronunciation Pitfalls: The English 'j' sound (in-di-jes-chun) is a major giveaway of an accent. In French, it is a hard 'd' followed by a soft 'i': [ɛ̃.di.ʒɛs.tjɔ̃]. The 'g' is a soft 'zh' sound like in 'measure'.

Attention à la prononciation : ne dites pas 'in-di-jes-tion' à l'anglaise pour indigestion.

Another common error is the choice of verb. English speakers often translate 'to get indigestion' literally as 'obtenir une indigestion' or simply 'avoir'. While 'avoir' is acceptable, 'faire' is the native choice for a sudden onset. If you say 'J'ai l'indigestion', it sounds like you're talking about a specific, famous indigestion. Usually, you want 'J'ai une indigestion' or 'Je fais une indigestion'. Furthermore, don't confuse indigestion with intoxication alimentaire (food poisoning). An indigestion is usually just from eating too much or too rich, whereas intoxication implies bacteria or bad food and is much more serious.

Preposition Confusion: When saying what caused it, use 'de', not 'par' or 'avec'. 'Indigestion de poisson' is correct; 'Indigestion avec poisson' is not.

On dit une indigestion de fraises, et non pas par des fraises.

Finally, be careful with the plural. In English, we rarely say 'indigestions', but in French, if you have it frequently, you 'faites des indigestions'. A learner might say 'J'ai beaucoup d'indigestion', but a native would say 'Je fais souvent des indigestions'. Also, avoid using it for a simple 'stomach ache' caused by stress or a virus; for those, 'mal à l'estomac' or 'gastro' (stomach flu) are better. Misusing indigestion for a virus might lead a pharmacist to give you the wrong medicine! Lastly, remember that while 'indigestion' is used figuratively, you shouldn't overdo it. It's a strong word, implying you are truly 'sick' of something.

Spelling: The spelling is identical to English, but don't let that fool you into using English grammar rules. It's a French word now!

Elle a évité l' indigestion en mangeant lentement.

Le mot indigestion ne prend jamais de 't' à la fin, contrairement à d'autres noms.

While indigestion is a precise term, French offers several alternatives depending on the severity and the context. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker. The most clinical alternative is dyspepsie. This is the medical term for difficult digestion. You'll see this on medication boxes or in medical reports, but you wouldn't use it at a dinner party unless you were a doctor. It's very formal and technical.

Indigestion vs. Mal d'estomac: 'Mal d'estomac' is a general term for any stomach pain. 'Indigestion' is specific to pain caused by food processing issues.

J'ai un simple mal d'estomac, ce n'est pas une indigestion.

A very 'French' alternative is la crise de foie. As mentioned before, this is culturally synonymous with having eaten too much rich food (chocolate, foie gras, alcohol). Even though the liver (foie) isn't usually the culprit, French people will say, 'J'ai une crise de foie' to describe the exact same symptoms as an indigestion. It sounds slightly more 'traditional' or 'old-fashioned' but is still widely used. Another useful phrase is embarras gastrique, which is a bit more polite and euphemistic, often used in formal writing to describe digestive upset without being too graphic.

Indigestion vs. Intoxication: 'Intoxication alimentaire' is food poisoning. It is much more severe and usually involves fever and prolonged illness.

Il pensait que c'était une indigestion, mais c'était une intoxication.

For figurative use, you can use saturation or ras-le-bol. If you have an 'indigestion de travail', you could also say 'Je suis saturé de travail' or 'J'ai un ras-le-bol du travail'. Saturation is more professional, while ras-le-bol is more colloquial and emotional. Another interesting one is écœurement, which describes a feeling of being 'grossed out' or having had so much of something that it now disgusts you. This is often the result of an indigestion—after eating too much cake, you might feel an écœurement towards sweets in general.

Lourdeur d'estomac: Literally 'stomach heaviness'. This is the mildest form of indigestion, often felt after a large but healthy meal.

Cette indigestion passagère sera bientôt oubliée.

L' indigestion de promesses politiques agace les électeurs.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word has remained virtually unchanged in spelling for centuries, appearing in medical texts as early as the 1300s to describe a 'cold stomach'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɛ̃.di.ʒɛs.tjɔ̃/

US /ɛ̃.di.ʒɛs.tjɔ̃/

The stress in French usually falls on the last syllable: in-di-ges-TION.

Rhymes With

gestion suggestion congestion question digestion congestion possession obsession

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'tion' as 'shun' (English style).
Pronouncing 'in' as a clear 'i' and 'n' instead of a nasal vowel.
Using a hard English 'j' sound for the 'g'.
Stress on the first syllable.
Missing the nasal sound entirely.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Easy to recognize because it is a cognate.

Writing 2/5

Must remember it is feminine and ends in -tion.

Speaking 3/5

The nasal 'in' and 'tion' pronunciation can be tricky.

Listening 2/5

Clear sound, but watch for speed in native speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

manger mal ventre trop nourriture

Learn Next

digérer nausée estomac médicament santé

Advanced

dyspepsie gastrite œsophage métabolisme indigeste

Grammar to Know

Feminine nouns ending in -tion

L'indigestion, la nutrition, la station.

Using 'de' after 'indigestion' for cause

Une indigestion de fraises.

Contraction of 'la' to 'l'' before a vowel

L'indigestion (not la indigestion).

Using 'faire' to describe a physical state/reaction

Faire une indigestion, faire une allergie.

Adjectives after the noun

Une indigestion passagère.

Examples by Level

J'ai une indigestion.

I have indigestion.

Simple present with 'avoir'.

C'est une indigestion de chocolat.

It's indigestion from chocolate.

Using 'de' to show cause.

Tu as une indigestion ?

Do you have indigestion?

Question using intonation.

Elle ne mange pas, elle a une indigestion.

She is not eating, she has indigestion.

Negative sentence followed by a cause.

Le bébé a une petite indigestion.

The baby has a little indigestion.

Using the adjective 'petite'.

Après le dîner, j'ai une indigestion.

After dinner, I have indigestion.

Time phrase 'Après le dîner'.

Une indigestion, c'est mal au ventre.

Indigestion is a stomach ache.

Defining a word simply.

Je prends un médicament pour l'indigestion.

I am taking a medicine for indigestion.

Using 'pour' to show purpose.

Hier, il a fait une grosse indigestion.

Yesterday, he had a big case of indigestion.

Passé composé with 'faire'.

Fais attention à l'indigestion !

Watch out for indigestion!

Imperative form of 'faire'.

Je crois que j'ai fait une indigestion de crevettes.

I think I got indigestion from shrimp.

Using 'faire une indigestion de'.

Elle a souvent des indigestions car elle mange trop vite.

She often gets indigestion because she eats too fast.

Plural 'des indigestions' and 'parce que'.

Est-ce que ce thé est bon pour l'indigestion ?

Is this tea good for indigestion?

Interrogative with 'est-ce que'.

Mon grand-père soigne son indigestion avec de l'eau chaude.

My grandfather treats his indigestion with hot water.

Possessive adjective 'mon' with feminine noun starting with vowel.

On ne doit pas manger trop de sucre pour éviter l'indigestion.

One must not eat too much sugar to avoid indigestion.

Modal verb 'devoir' and infinitive 'éviter'.

C'est une indigestion passagère, ne t'inquiète pas.

It's a temporary indigestion, don't worry.

Adjective 'passagère' following the noun.

Si tu manges tout le gâteau, tu vas faire une indigestion.

If you eat the whole cake, you are going to get indigestion.

Hypothetical 'si' clause with future 'aller + infinitive'.

J'ai une véritable indigestion de politique en ce moment.

I have a real overload of politics right now.

Metaphorical use of 'indigestion'.

L'indigestion est souvent causée par un excès de graisses.

Indigestion is often caused by an excess of fats.

Passive voice 'est causée par'.

Il souffre d'indigestion depuis qu'il a changé de régime.

He has been suffering from indigestion since he changed his diet.

Verb 'souffrir de' and 'depuis que'.

Le médecin dit que ce n'est qu'une simple indigestion.

The doctor says it's only a simple indigestion.

Restrictive 'ne... que'.

Après les fêtes, beaucoup de Français font une crise de foie ou une indigestion.

After the holidays, many French people have a 'liver crisis' or indigestion.

Comparing cultural terms.

Je me sens lourd, j'ai peur de faire une indigestion.

I feel heavy, I'm afraid of getting indigestion.

Adjective 'lourd' and 'peur de'.

Évitez les boissons gazeuses si vous avez une indigestion.

Avoid carbonated drinks if you have indigestion.

Formal imperative 'évitez'.

L'indigestion de données peut nuire à la prise de décision.

Data overload can harm decision-making.

Abstract metaphorical subject.

Bien qu'il ait fait une indigestion, il a voulu finir son assiette.

Although he had indigestion, he wanted to finish his plate.

Conjunction 'bien que' with subjunctive.

Cette indigestion carabinée l'a cloué au lit pendant deux jours.

This severe indigestion kept him in bed for two days.

Colloquial adjective 'carabinée'.

Il est crucial d'identifier les aliments qui provoquent vos indigestions.

It is crucial to identify the foods that trigger your indigestion.

Infinitive construction 'il est crucial de'.

Une indigestion intellectuelle nous guette face à ce surplus d'informations.

An intellectual indigestion awaits us in the face of this information surplus.

Personification with 'guetter'.

Le pharmacien m'a conseillé un remède efficace contre l'indigestion.

The pharmacist recommended an effective remedy against indigestion.

Indirect object 'm'a conseillé'.

On peut confondre une indigestion avec des problèmes plus graves.

One can confuse indigestion with more serious problems.

Verb 'confondre... avec'.

Sa mauvaise humeur vient peut-être de son indigestion.

His bad mood perhaps comes from his indigestion.

Adverb 'peut-être' and cause with 'de'.

Le pays souffre d'une véritable indigestion législative.

The country is suffering from a real legislative overload.

High-level political metaphor.

L'indigestion, bien que bénigne, requiert parfois un repos total.

Indigestion, though benign, sometimes requires total rest.

Parenthetical clause with 'bien que'.

À force de lire ces théories, j'en ai fait une indigestion mentale.

By dint of reading these theories, I've developed a mental indigestion from them.

Idiomatic 'à force de' and pronoun 'en'.

L'écrivain utilise la métaphore de l'indigestion pour critiquer la société de consommation.

The writer uses the metaphor of indigestion to criticize consumer society.

Literary analysis context.

Rien de tel qu'une infusion de menthe pour apaiser une indigestion.

There's nothing like a mint infusion to soothe indigestion.

Idiomatic 'rien de tel que'.

Il a frôlé l'indigestion après ce banquet pantagruélique.

He came close to indigestion after that gargantuan banquet.

Verb 'frôler' and sophisticated adjective 'pantagruélique'.

Le sentiment d'indigestion face au luxe ostentatoire est palpable.

The feeling of indigestion towards ostentatious luxury is palpable.

Abstract noun phrase.

On ne saurait trop recommander la prudence pour éviter toute indigestion.

One cannot recommend caution enough to avoid any indigestion.

Formal 'on ne saurait trop'.

L'indigestion de l'esprit précède souvent le renoncement à la quête du savoir.

Indigestion of the mind often precedes the giving up of the quest for knowledge.

Philosophical subject-verb agreement.

S'abandonner à une indigestion de plaisirs éphémères mène à la vacuité.

Surrendering to an indigestion of fleeting pleasures leads to emptiness.

Infinitive subject 's'abandonner'.

La pléthore de sollicitations numériques finit par engendrer une indigestion cognitive.

The plethora of digital solicitations eventually generates a cognitive indigestion.

Technical vocabulary 'pléthore', 'engendrer', 'cognitive'.

L'indigestion n'est ici que le symptôme d'un malaise existentiel plus profond.

Indigestion is here only the symptom of a deeper existential malaise.

Restrictive 'ne... que' and abstract meaning.

Il convient de distinguer l'indigestion physiologique de sa manifestation psychosomatique.

It is appropriate to distinguish physiological indigestion from its psychosomatic manifestation.

Formal 'il convient de'.

L'indigestion de mots vains finit par tuer le véritable dialogue.

The indigestion of empty words eventually kills true dialogue.

Metaphorical use in communication theory.

Par-delà l'indigestion des sens, il cherchait une ascèse purificatrice.

Beyond the indigestion of the senses, he sought a purifying asceticism.

Complex preposition 'par-delà'.

L'œuvre souffre d'une indigestion de références intertextuelles qui l'alourdissent.

The work suffers from an indigestion of intertextual references that weigh it down.

Literary criticism with relative clause.

Common Collocations

faire une indigestion

provoquer une indigestion

indigestion carabinée

souffrir d'indigestion

calmer une indigestion

indigestion passagère

remède contre l'indigestion

éviter l'indigestion

indigestion de données

légère indigestion

Common Phrases

J'ai une indigestion.

— I have indigestion.

Je ne peux pas sortir, j'ai une indigestion.

Attention à l'indigestion !

— Watch out for indigestion (usually said when someone is overeating).

Tu manges ton troisième dessert, attention à l'indigestion !

Une indigestion de travail.

— To be overwhelmed with work.

J'ai une telle indigestion de travail que je ne sais plus où donner de la tête.

C'est l'indigestion assurée.

— Indigestion is guaranteed (if you continue this way).

Manger du piment à jeun ? C'est l'indigestion assurée.

Soigner son indigestion.

— To treat one's indigestion.

Il faut se reposer pour soigner son indigestion.

Indigestion de chiffres.

— An overload of numbers or statistics.

Le rapport est trop long, c'est une indigestion de chiffres.

Faire une indigestion de... (something).

— To have too much of something.

J'ai fait une indigestion de films d'horreur hier soir.

L'indigestion me guette.

— Indigestion is waiting for me (I'm about to get it).

Encore un plat ? L'indigestion me guette.

Éviter toute indigestion.

— To avoid any indigestion.

Il est prudent de manger léger pour éviter toute indigestion.

Remède miracle pour l'indigestion.

— Miracle cure for indigestion.

Ma grand-mère a un remède miracle pour l'indigestion.

Often Confused With

indigestion vs intoxication alimentaire

Food poisoning is much more serious than simple indigestion.

indigestion vs mal au cœur

This means feeling nauseous, which is only one symptom of indigestion.

indigestion vs brûlures d'estomac

Heartburn is a specific burning sensation, while indigestion is general discomfort.

Idioms & Expressions

"Avoir une indigestion de quelque chose"

— To be sick and tired of something or to have had too much of it.

J'ai une indigestion de ses mensonges.

informal

"Donner une indigestion à quelqu'un"

— To overwhelm or annoy someone with too much information or presence.

Ce prof nous donne une indigestion de devoirs.

neutral

"Frôler l'indigestion"

— To almost get sick from eating too much or being close to a limit.

On a frôlé l'indigestion pendant les vacances.

neutral

"Faire une indigestion de lecture"

— To read so much that one becomes tired of it.

Après avoir révisé dix heures, j'ai fait une indigestion de lecture.

neutral

"L'indigestion n'est pas loin"

— Used to warn someone they are overdoing it.

Arrête de râler, l'indigestion n'est pas loin pour tes amis.

informal

"Mourir d'une indigestion"

— Often used hyperbolically to say one ate far too much.

Je vais mourir d'une indigestion de galette des rois !

informal

"Une indigestion de luxe"

— Feeling overwhelmed by too much ostentatious wealth.

Ce palais est trop chargé, c'est une indigestion de luxe.

neutral

"Risquer l'indigestion"

— To risk getting sick from overindulgence.

Si tu mélanges tout, tu risques l'indigestion.

neutral

"Indigestion de promesses"

— Being tired of hearing empty promises (usually political).

Les électeurs font une indigestion de promesses électorales.

formal

"Une indigestion visuelle"

— When something is too busy or colorful to look at comfortably.

Cette décoration est une indigestion visuelle.

neutral

Easily Confused

indigestion vs ingestion

Sounds similar.

Ingestion is the act of swallowing food; indigestion is the failure to digest it.

L'ingestion de ce produit est dangereuse.

indigestion vs congestion

Rhymes and ends in -tion.

Congestion refers to a blockage, usually in the nose or traffic.

Il y a une congestion nasale.

indigestion vs infection

Medical term ending in -tion.

An infection is caused by germs; indigestion is usually caused by food volume or type.

Il a une infection à l'œil.

indigestion vs suggestion

Rhymes and ends in -tion.

A suggestion is an idea or proposal.

J'ai une suggestion pour le dîner.

indigestion vs éruption

Medical/Physical term ending in -tion.

An eruption is a breakout, like a rash or a volcano.

Une éruption cutanée.

Sentence Patterns

J'ai une [indigestion].

J'ai une indigestion.

J'ai fait une indigestion de [food].

J'ai fait une indigestion de gâteau.

Si je mange trop, je vais faire une [indigestion].

Si je mange trop, je vais faire une indigestion.

J'ai une indigestion de [abstract noun].

J'ai une indigestion de travail.

C'est une indigestion [adjective].

C'est une indigestion carabinée.

[Something] provoque une indigestion.

Le lait provoque une indigestion.

Souffrir d'une indigestion [adjective].

Il souffre d'une indigestion législative.

L'indigestion de [concept] mène à [consequence].

L'indigestion de luxe mène à l'ennui.

Word Family

Nouns

digestion

digestibilité

digesteur

Verbs

digérer

Adjectives

indigeste

digestif

digeste

estomac

gastrique

nausée

foie

intestin

How to Use It

frequency

Common, especially after holidays or in media critiques.

Common Mistakes

Un indigestion → Une indigestion
Indigestion is feminine. This is the most common error for English speakers.
Pronouncing 'tion' as 'shun' → Pronouncing 'tion' as 'see-on'
The French '-tion' is always a 's' sound followed by a nasal 'o'.
J'ai indigestion → J'ai une indigestion
In French, you usually need an article (un, une, le, la) before the noun.
Indigestion avec chocolat → Indigestion de chocolat
The preposition 'de' is used to show the cause of the indigestion.
Using it for food poisoning → Intoxication alimentaire
Indigestion is for overeating; intoxication is for bacteria/spoiled food.

Tips

Gender Memory

Remember that 'digestion' is feminine, so 'indigestion' is too. Think of 'La Digestion'.

The Holiday Word

This is a key word to know if you are in France during Christmas or Easter. It will come up in every conversation!

Nasal 'In'

Practice the 'in' sound by trying to say 'ah' through your nose. It's the same sound as in 'vin'.

Metaphor Power

Use 'indigestion de [noun]' to sound sophisticated when you are tired of something.

Pharmacy Talk

If you go to a pharmacy, say 'J'ai fait une indigestion' and they will know exactly what you need.

Spelling Check

The spelling is the same as in English, which is a rare gift in French. Use it to your advantage!

Polite Decline

If you are full at a dinner, saying 'J'ai peur de faire une indigestion' is a polite way to stop eating.

Listen for 'Crise de Foie'

If someone says 'crise de foie', they usually just mean they have indigestion.

Preposition 'De'

Always follow 'indigestion' with 'de' when specifying the food cause.

Opposites

If your digestion is good, you say 'J'ai une bonne digestion'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'IN-DI-GESTION'. It's 'IN' your 'DI'-gestive system and it's a 'GESTION' (management) problem. Your body can't manage what's inside!

Visual Association

Imagine a giant 'STOP' sign sitting inside a stomach that is overflowing with cakes and candies.

Word Web

manger trop estomac mal vomir nausée gras sucre

Challenge

Try to use 'indigestion' in a sentence about a TV show you watched too much of today.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'indigestio', which is composed of 'in-' (not) and 'digestio' (digestion). It entered the French language in the late 14th century.

Original meaning: The state of being undigested or the inability to digest food.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

While not a sensitive word, avoid using it to describe someone's chronic illness unless they have used the term first, as 'indigestion' can imply overeating.

In English, 'indigestion' is often synonymous with 'heartburn' (brûlures d'estomac), but in French, it more broadly covers the feeling of being overstuffed and sick.

Molière's plays often feature characters suffering from digestive issues due to their excesses. Zola's 'Le Ventre de Paris' describes the visceral reality of food and its consequences. French health campaigns often warn against 'l'indigestion' during the holidays.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a family dinner

Je ne peux plus, j'ai une indigestion.
Attention à l'indigestion avec tout ce gras !
Tu veux une tisane pour ton indigestion ?
C'est l'indigestion assurée ce soir.

At the doctor's office

Je souffre d'indigestion depuis hier.
Quels sont les symptômes de l'indigestion ?
Est-ce une indigestion ou une intoxication ?
J'ai souvent des indigestions.

At the pharmacy

Je voudrais quelque chose pour une indigestion.
C'est pour calmer une indigestion.
Est-ce efficace contre l'indigestion ?
J'ai une indigestion carabinée.

Metaphorical (Work/News)

On fait une indigestion d'informations.
C'est une indigestion de chiffres.
J'ai une indigestion de ce projet.
Le public a une indigestion de publicités.

Talking about children

Il a fait une indigestion de bonbons.
Le petit a une indigestion.
Attention à ne pas lui donner d'indigestion.
C'est juste une petite indigestion.

Conversation Starters

"As-tu déjà fait une grosse indigestion après un repas de fête ?"

"Quel est ton remède préféré quand tu as une indigestion ?"

"Penses-tu que les gens font une indigestion d'informations aujourd'hui ?"

"Est-ce que tu manges lentement pour éviter l'indigestion ?"

"Quel aliment te donne toujours une indigestion ?"

Journal Prompts

Décris la dernière fois que tu as fait une indigestion. Qu'as-tu mangé ?

Pourquoi penses-tu que les Français parlent souvent de digestion ?

Écris une histoire courte sur quelqu'un qui fait une indigestion de luxe.

L'indigestion d'informations est-elle un vrai problème de société ? Explique.

Imagine un dialogue entre un pharmacien et un client qui a une indigestion.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is feminine. You should always say 'une indigestion' or 'l'indigestion'. Words ending in -tion in French are almost always feminine.

In common French usage, they are often the same. 'Indigestion' is more medically accurate, while 'crise de foie' is a cultural expression specifically for overindulgence in rich foods.

The most natural way is 'J'ai une indigestion' or 'Je fais une indigestion'. Natives often use the verb 'faire'.

No, 'indigestion' only refers to stomach or digestive discomfort. For a headache, use 'mal à la tête'.

Yes, very often! You can have an 'indigestion' of news, work, or even a person, meaning you've had too much of it.

People often drink herbal teas (tisanes), sparkling water, or take over-the-counter medicines like 'Citrate de Bétaïne'.

It is pronounced like 'see-on' [sjɔ̃]. Never pronounce it like the English 'shun'.

Usually no. Food poisoning is 'intoxication alimentaire'. Indigestion is milder and usually from eating too much.

No, that is a common mistake. It must be 'une indigestion' because it is a feminine noun.

Yes, especially in 19th-century realism where writers described the excesses of society.