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B1 verb 11 min read

mastiquer

Examples Notes & Tips mastiquer in 30 Seconds
Explanation mastiquer in your Level:
At the A1 level, you are just beginning to learn basic verbs for daily life. While 'manger' (to eat) is the first word you learn, 'mastiquer' is a more specific way to describe the physical action of eating. Think of it like the English word 'to chew.' In simple sentences, you might use it to talk about how you eat your food. For example, 'Je mastique ma pomme' (I chew my apple). At this stage, you don't need to worry about the technical meanings; just focus on the idea that it's a regular '-er' verb, which means it follows the same pattern as 'parler' or 'habiter.' You use it when you want to be a bit more descriptive than just saying 'manger.' It's a good word to know for when you talk about health or visiting a doctor, as they might ask if you can chew properly. Even at A1, using 'mastiquer' occasionally shows that you are expanding your vocabulary beyond the most basic words. Remember to pronounce the 'qu' like a 'k' sound, and you'll sound great!
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As an A2 learner, you're starting to talk more about health, habits, and daily routines. 'Mastiquer' becomes useful when discussing nutrition or dental health. You might hear a teacher or a parent say, 'Il faut bien mastiquer' (You must chew well). This is a common piece of advice in France! You can also use it to describe different textures of food. If a steak is very tough, you might say, 'C'est difficile à mastiquer.' This level also introduces the past tense (passé composé). Since 'mastiquer' is a regular verb, it uses 'avoir' as its auxiliary: 'J'ai mastiqué.' You might use this to explain why you have a sore jaw or why it took you a long time to finish a meal. At A2, you should also be aware that 'mâcher' is a more common synonym for everyday things like chewing gum, but 'mastiquer' is perfectly fine and sounds a bit more 'proper' or focused on the mechanical act of eating.
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At the B1 level, you are expected to handle more specific vocabulary and understand nuances. 'Mastiquer' is a classic B1 word because it is precise. You should use it when the mechanical process of chewing is important to the conversation—for example, in a discussion about the benefits of 'Slow Food' or when explaining a medical issue to a dentist. You'll also encounter it in more complex sentence structures, like using the infinitive after a preposition: 'C'est important pour bien mastiquer.' You might also start to see its second meaning in DIY or construction contexts. If you're reading a blog about home renovation, 'mastiquer les joints' means applying putty to seal gaps. This dual nature of the word is something a B1 student should begin to recognize. In terms of grammar, you should be comfortable using 'mastiquer' in the future, imperfect, and conditional tenses. It’s a versatile verb that adds a layer of professionalism and accuracy to your French that 'mâcher' doesn't always provide.
By B2, you should be able to use 'mastiquer' with confidence in both its biological and technical senses. You'll notice it in more formal texts, such as scientific articles about digestion or culinary reviews that analyze the 'mâche' (the chewiness) of a dish. At this level, you can use the gerund ('en mastiquant') to add descriptive detail to your narratives. For example: 'En mastiquant pensivement son morceau de pain, il regardait la pluie tomber.' This shows a high level of fluency. You should also be able to distinguish 'mastiquer' from its synonyms like 'broyer' (to grind) or 'ruminer' (to ruminate). A B2 student understands that 'mastiquer' implies a certain rhythm and purpose. You might also encounter the noun form 'mastication' in academic or health-related contexts. Your ability to choose 'mastiquer' over 'mâcher' in a formal presentation about health or a technical report about construction will demonstrate your sophisticated grasp of French registers.
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At the C1 level, your use of 'mastiquer' should be near-native. You understand its place in the broader landscape of French verbs of action. You might use it in literary analysis to describe how an author uses the physical act of chewing to convey a character's state of mind—perhaps a character who 'mastique' slowly and deliberately to show their power or hesitation. You are also fully aware of the technical jargon in industries like construction or automotive repair where 'mastiquer' is a standard term for sealing. You can navigate the subtle differences between 'mastiquer' and 'calfutrer' or 'étanchéifier.' Furthermore, you can appreciate the etymological links to Latin and how this word has evolved compared to its English cousin 'masticate.' In a C1 essay, you might use 'mastiquer' to discuss the physiological aspects of gastronomy, perhaps arguing that the modern habit of not 'mastiquant' enough is a sign of a rushed, unhealthy society. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use this word as a precise tool for specific rhetorical effects.
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At the C2 level, 'mastiquer' is a word you use with complete mastery, including its most subtle and rare applications. You might encounter it in archaic or highly specialized texts, perhaps in a 19th-century novel where it's used to describe the rhythmic movement of a steam engine's pistons metaphorically, or in a highly technical manual for glass-making. You understand that while 'mastiquer' is primarily a physical verb, its absence or presence in a text can signal a specific stylistic choice by the author. You are also capable of using the word in complex philosophical debates about the human condition—for instance, discussing the 'mastication of time' or other abstract concepts, although this is rare. Your mastery extends to knowing exactly when *not* to use it, such as avoiding it in idiomatic expressions where 'mâcher' is required (like 'mâcher le travail à quelqu'un'). At this level, 'mastiquer' is just one of many precise instruments in your linguistic toolkit, used with perfect timing and context.
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Examples Notes & Tips

mastiquer in 30 Seconds

  • Mastiquer means 'to chew' in a physical or technical sense, often used in health or construction contexts.
  • It is a regular -er verb, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses for French learners.
  • Unlike 'mâcher' (casual chewing), 'mastiquer' implies a more thorough or mechanical process of breaking things down.
  • The word also refers to applying putty (mastic) to seal windows or joints in DIY projects.

The French verb mastiquer is a precise and somewhat technical term that translates primarily to 'to chew' or 'to masticate.' While the more common verb mâcher is used in everyday conversation for the simple act of chewing gum or food, mastiquer often carries a connotation of a more thorough, mechanical, or even clinical process of breaking down food with the teeth. It is the verb of choice when discussing the physiology of digestion, dental health, or the specific physical action required to process tough textures. In a culinary context, a chef might use mastiquer to describe how a diner interacts with a complex, textured dish. Beyond the biological realm, it is also used in technical fields to describe the application of mastic (putty or sealant), though this usage is distinct and context-dependent.

Biological Process
The mechanical breakdown of food by the teeth to facilitate swallowing and chemical digestion by enzymes in saliva.
Technical Application
The act of applying a sealant or putty-like substance (mastic) to a joint or surface in construction or repair work.
Etymological Root
Derived from the Latin 'masticare,' which shares the same root as the English word 'masticate,' emphasizing the rhythmic and grinding nature of the movement.

Il est essentiel de bien mastiquer chaque bouchée pour aider le système digestif.

In French culture, where the art of dining is highly respected, the act of mastiquer is often linked to the concept of 'le plaisir de la table.' It is not just about nutrition; it is about the sensory experience of texture. A tough piece of meat requires significant effort to mastiquer, which might be seen as a flaw in the cooking or a characteristic of a specific rustic cut. Health professionals in France frequently emphasize the importance of this verb, advising patients to mastiquer lentement (chew slowly) to promote satiety and prevent bloating. This focus on the physical mechanics of eating reflects a broader French interest in the science of gastronomy and the physiological well-being associated with slow, deliberate consumption.

L'enfant commençait à mastiquer ses premiers aliments solides avec précaution.

Furthermore, the word appears in literary contexts to describe animals or even metaphorical 'chewing' of ideas, though 'mâcher' is more common for the latter. For instance, a cow in a field is often described as mastiquant its cud. This usage highlights the rhythmic, repetitive nature of the action. In the world of DIY (bricolage), if you are filling a gap in a window frame with putty, you are also en train de mastiquer. This dual meaning makes it a versatile, albeit more formal, part of the French vocabulary. Understanding the nuances between this word and its synonyms is key to reaching a B1 or B2 level of proficiency, as it demonstrates an ability to choose the correct register and technicality for the subject at hand.

Using mastiquer correctly involves understanding its role as a regular first-conjugation (-er) verb. It follows the standard patterns for verbs like parler or manger, but with a specific focus on the physical action of the jaw. When constructing sentences, it is often paired with adverbs that describe the quality or speed of the chewing. For example, mastiquer bruyamment (to chew noisily) is a common social faux pas, while mastiquer soigneusement (to chew carefully) is a sign of good manners and health consciousness.

Transitive Usage
When the verb takes a direct object, such as a type of food. 'Il mastique son steak avec difficulté.'
Intransitive Usage
When the focus is on the action itself. 'Il est important de mastiquer avant d'avaler.'

Le vieil homme devait mastiquer lentement à cause de ses dents fragiles.

In more advanced grammatical structures, mastiquer can be used in the gerund form to describe simultaneous actions. For instance, 'En mastiquant sa pomme, elle réfléchissait à sa journée' (While chewing her apple, she thought about her day). This adds a layer of descriptive detail to narrative writing. It is also found in the passive voice in scientific texts: 'Les aliments doivent être bien mastiqués pour une digestion optimale.' This formal structure is common in medical brochures or educational materials about nutrition. Note that unlike 'manger,' mastiquer does not have a spelling change for the 'g' (like 'mangeons') because the stem ends in 'qu', maintaining the hard 'k' sound throughout the conjugation (je mastique, nous mastiquons).

Après avoir mastiqué longuement, il a enfin pu goûter toutes les saveurs du plat.

In the technical sense mentioned earlier, the sentence structure remains the same but the context shifts entirely. 'L'ouvrier mastique les joints de la fenêtre' means the worker is applying putty to the window joints. This is a common point of confusion for learners. If you see the word in a hardware store or a DIY manual, it has nothing to do with eating! Always look at the surrounding words—if the object is 'joints,' 'vitre,' or 'fissure,' it’s the technical meaning. If the object is 'viande,' 'pain,' or 'nourriture,' it’s the biological meaning. Mastering these contexts allows for a much more nuanced use of the French language in diverse situations.

You are most likely to encounter mastiquer in environments where precision regarding the body or food is required. One of the most common places is a dentist's office (chez le dentiste). A dentist might ask, 'Est-ce que vous avez mal quand vous mastiquez ?' (Does it hurt when you chew?). Here, the word is used because it refers to the mechanical function of the jaw and teeth. Similarly, in a doctor's office or a nutritionist's clinic, the word is frequent when discussing digestive issues. The advice 'Prenez le temps de bien mastiquer' is a staple of French health culture, emphasizing that digestion begins in the mouth.

Medical Context
Used by healthcare professionals to discuss the functional efficiency of the mouth and jaw.
Veterinary Context
Commonly used to describe how animals process their food, especially ruminants or pets with dental issues.

Le vétérinaire a remarqué que le chien avait du mal à mastiquer ses croquettes.

In the world of French gastronomy, while 'manger' is the general verb for eating, mastiquer might appear in a sophisticated food review or a culinary documentary. A critic might describe a particular cut of beef as 'agréable à mastiquer,' suggesting that the texture provides a satisfying resistance without being tough. It’s a word that focuses on the tactile sensation of food. You might also hear it in a classroom setting, where a teacher might scold a student: 'Arrête de mastiquer ton chewing-gum si bruyamment !' (Stop chewing your gum so loudly!). Even though 'mâcher' is common for gum, mastiquer adds a slightly more formal or emphatic tone to the reprimand.

Dans ce documentaire, on voit la girafe mastiquer des feuilles d'acacia pendant des heures.

Lastly, in the construction industry or during home renovations, you will hear the technical version of the word. If you are hiring a professional to fix your windows, they might say, 'Je vais devoir mastiquer les cadres pour assurer l'étanchéité' (I will have to apply putty to the frames to ensure they are watertight). This is a very practical, everyday use of the word in a specific professional domain. Whether you are at the dinner table, the dentist, or at a construction site, mastiquer is a word that describes a physical process of preparation—whether it's preparing food for the stomach or preparing a surface for the elements.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with mastiquer is using it in situations that are too casual. Because its English cognate 'masticate' is very formal or scientific, learners often assume mastiquer is also rare. However, while it is more formal than mâcher, it is much more common in French than 'masticate' is in English. A common error is avoiding it entirely and always using manger or mâcher, which can make your speech sound less precise. Conversely, using it to describe chewing gum in a very casual setting might sound a bit 'stiff' unless you are intentionally being emphatic.

Confusing with 'Mâcher'
Using 'mâcher' when a technical or medical context requires the precision of 'mastiquer.'
Noun Confusion
Mistaking the verb 'mastiquer' for the noun 'mastic' (putty). Remember the verb needs conjugation!

Faux : Il faut mâcher bien pour la science. (Too casual for a scientific context)

Another mistake involves the technical meaning. English speakers might try to use 'putty-ing' or 'sealing' with English-derived verbs, forgetting that mastiquer covers the application of putty. For example, saying 'Je vais putter la fenêtre' is incorrect; the correct French is 'Je vais mastiquer la fenêtre.' Additionally, learners sometimes struggle with the pronunciation of the 'qu' sound. In French, mastiquer is pronounced with a hard 'k' sound (mas-tee-kay), and this sound must be maintained throughout all conjugations. There is no 'kw' sound as there might be in some English dialects for similar-looking words.

Correct : Le dentiste m'a dit de ne pas mastiquer du côté gauche.

Lastly, avoid using mastiquer metaphorically in the same way you might use 'chew on' in English (e.g., 'chew on an idea'). In French, for metaphorical 'chewing' or 'ruminating' on a thought, you would use ruminer or mâcher (as in 'mâcher ses mots' - to weigh one's words). Using mastiquer for thoughts would sound very strange and overly literal, as if you were physically trying to bite an idea. Stick to the physical and technical realms for this verb to ensure your French sounds natural and native-like.

Understanding the family of words related to mastiquer helps in choosing the exact nuance you need. The most obvious alternative is mâcher. While they are often interchangeable, mâcher is the go-to word for everyday activities like chewing gum or eating a snack. It is simpler and less clinical. Another related verb is ruminer, which specifically refers to animals that 'chew the cud' (like cows) but is also frequently used metaphorically in French to mean 'to brood' or 'to dwell on' a negative thought. This is a common point of comparison for students.

Mâcher vs Mastiquer
'Mâcher' is common and casual; 'mastiquer' is technical, thorough, or formal.
Ruminer
Specifically for animals chewing cud, or metaphorically for thinking deeply/negatively.
Broyer
To grind or crush. This is a more forceful action than mastiquer, often used for industrial processes or very hard food.

Au lieu de mastiquer simplement, le robot broie les aliments en fine poudre.

In the technical field, synonyms for mastiquer (as in applying putty) include sceller (to seal) or calfutrer (to caulk/draft-proof). While mastiquer specifically implies the use of mastic, sceller is a broader term for making something airtight or watertight. If you are working on a building site, knowing these distinctions is vital. For example, you might 'mastiquer' a window pane but 'sceller' a stone into a wall. The choice of verb tells the listener exactly what material and method you are using.

Elle ne mâche pas ses mots quand elle est en colère.

Lastly, consider the verb grignoter (to snack/nibble). This represents the opposite of mastiquer; while mastiquer is a thorough, often slow process, grignoter is light and quick. A mouse grignote cheese, but a human mastique a piece of crusty French bread. By understanding these alternatives, you can paint a much more vivid picture in your French conversations and writing, moving beyond basic verbs to more descriptive and accurate vocabulary that reflects the specific action being performed.

Fun Fact

The word is related to 'mastic,' a resin from the mastic tree that was used as an early form of chewing gum in the Mediterranean.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /mas.ti.ke/
US /mæs.ti.keɪ/
The stress is evenly distributed, with a slight emphasis on the final syllable 'ke'.
Rhymes With
appliquer expliquer indiquer compliquer fabriquer pratiquer impliquer répliquer
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the 'qu' like 'kw' (as in 'quick'). In French, it is always a hard 'k'.
  • Adding an 's' sound at the end in the 'tu' form (tu mastiques) - the 's' is silent.
  • Misplacing the stress on the first syllable.
  • Pronouncing the 'e' in 'mastique' as a full 'ay' when it is silent (in 'je mastique').
  • Confusing the pronunciation with the English word 'masticate'.
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Examples by Level

1

Je mastique bien mon pain.

I chew my bread well.

Present tense, first person singular.

2

Tu mastiques ta pomme.

You are chewing your apple.

Present tense, second person singular.

3

L'enfant mastique lentement.

The child chews slowly.

Subject-verb agreement with a singular noun.

4

Nous mastiquons la viande.

We are chewing the meat.

Present tense, first person plural.

5

Vous mastiquez beaucoup ?

Do you chew a lot?

Interrogative form using 'vous'.

6

Ils mastiquent leurs légumes.

They are chewing their vegetables.

Present tense, third person plural.

7

Il faut mastiquer pour manger.

One must chew to eat.

Infinitive after 'il faut'.

8

Elle mastique avec ses dents.

She chews with her teeth.

Present tense, third person singular.

1

J'ai mastiqué ce steak pendant longtemps.

I chewed this steak for a long time.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

2

Il est important de bien mastiquer sa nourriture.

It is important to chew one's food well.

Infinitive phrase as a subject complement.

3

Est-ce que tu mastiquais quand il est arrivé ?

Were you chewing when he arrived?

Imperfect tense for ongoing action.

4

Nous allons mastiquer chaque bouchée trente fois.

We are going to chew each bite thirty times.

Futur proche (aller + infinitive).

5

Le chien ne peut plus mastiquer ses os.

The dog can no longer chew his bones.

Negation 'ne... plus' with infinitive.

6

Elle mastiquait toujours du chewing-gum en classe.

She was always chewing gum in class.

Imperfect tense for a past habit.

7

Vous avez mastiqué trop vite et vous avez mal au ventre.

You chewed too fast and your stomach hurts.

Passé composé with 'trop vite'.

8

On doit mastiquer pour bien digérer.

One must chew to digest well.

Modal verb 'devoir' + infinitive.

1

Le dentiste m'a conseillé de mastiquer de l'autre côté.

The dentist advised me to chew on the other side.

Infinitive after 'conseiller de'.

2

Si tu mastiquais mieux, tu n'aurais pas de problèmes.

If you chewed better, you wouldn't have problems.

Hypothetical 'si' clause (imperfect + conditional).

3

L'ouvrier doit mastiquer les joints de la fenêtre ce matin.

The worker must putty the window joints this morning.

Technical usage of the verb.

4

En mastiquant, elle a senti une petite pierre dans son riz.

While chewing, she felt a small stone in her rice.

Gerund (en + present participle).

5

Je ne savais pas qu'il fallait mastiquer si longtemps.

I didn't know it was necessary to chew for so long.

Imperfect with 'falloir' and infinitive.

6

Les vaches passent leur journée à mastiquer dans le pré.

The cows spend their day chewing in the meadow.

Preposition 'à' followed by an infinitive.

7

Voulez-vous que je mastique ces joints pour vous ?

Do you want me to putty these joints for you?

Subjunctive mood after 'vouloir que'.

8

Elle a mastiqué son repas en silence, perdue dans ses pensées.

She chewed her meal in silence, lost in thought.

Passé composé with adverbial phrase.

1

La texture de ce plat oblige le convive à mastiquer lentement.

The texture of this dish forces the guest to chew slowly.

Verb 'obliger' + object + 'à' + infinitive.

2

Bien que l'on mastique par réflexe, c'est un acte complexe.

Although we chew by reflex, it is a complex act.

Subjunctive after 'bien que'.

3

L'art de mastiquer est au cœur de la philosophie 'Slow Food'.

The art of chewing is at the heart of the 'Slow Food' philosophy.

Noun-like use of the infinitive.

4

Il a fini par mastiquer le mastic pour boucher le trou.

He ended up kneading the putty to fill the hole.

Phrasal verb 'finir par' + infinitive.

5

Les aliments, une fois mastiqués, passent dans l'œsophage.

The food, once chewed, passes into the esophagus.

Past participle used as an adjective/passive voice.

6

Elle mastiquait nerveusement son stylo en attendant les résultats.

She was nervously chewing her pen while waiting for the results.

Imperfect tense for descriptive background action.

7

Il est rare de voir quelqu'un mastiquer avec autant de soin.

It is rare to see someone chew with so much care.

Impersonal expression 'il est rare de'.

8

Nous aurions dû mastiquer davantage avant d'avaler.

We should have chewed more before swallowing.

Conditionnel passé (should have).

1

L'insuffisance de mastication provient souvent du fait de ne pas assez mastiquer.

Insufficient mastication often stems from not chewing enough.

Infinitive used in a complex causal sentence.

2

Le romancier décrit le paysan mastiquant son tabac avec rusticité.

The novelist describes the peasant chewing his tobacco with rusticity.

Present participle as an adjective.

3

Il convient de mastiquer les joints d'étanchéité avant l'hiver.

It is advisable to putty the seals before winter.

Formal expression 'il convient de'.

4

Sans mastiquer, le plaisir gustatif est considérablement réduit.

Without chewing, gustatory pleasure is considerably reduced.

Preposition 'sans' + infinitive.

5

On imagine mal un prédateur ne pas mastiquer sa proie avec ferveur.

It's hard to imagine a predator not chewing its prey with fervor.

Negative infinitive in a complex clause.

6

Elle s'est mise à mastiquer mécaniquement, l'esprit ailleurs.

She began to chew mechanically, her mind elsewhere.

Pronominal verb 'se mettre à' + infinitive.

7

La capacité à mastiquer décline parfois avec l'âge avancé.

The ability to chew sometimes declines with advanced age.

Noun 'capacité' followed by 'à' + infinitive.

8

Quoi qu'il mastique, il semble toujours en apprécier la texture.

Whatever he chews, he always seems to appreciate the texture.

Subjunctive after 'quoi que'.

1

L'acte de mastiquer transcende la simple nécessité biologique pour devenir un rite.

The act of chewing transcends simple biological necessity to become a rite.

Infinitive as a philosophical subject.

2

Il mastiquait ses idées comme d'autres mastiquent leur pain noir.

He chewed over his ideas like others chew their dark bread.

Metaphorical use in a literary comparison.

3

L'artisan s'employait à mastiquer les moindres interstices de la verrière.

The craftsman was busy puttying the smallest gaps in the stained glass window.

Pronominal verb 's'employer à' + infinitive.

4

La mastication n'est que le prélude à l'assimilation, car mastiquer c'est déjà digérer.

Mastication is but the prelude to assimilation, for to chew is already to digest.

Infinitive used as a predicate nominative.

5

Puissiez-vous mastiquer chaque instant de cette vie avec la même intensité.

May you chew every moment of this life with the same intensity.

Subjunctive expressing a wish (optative).

6

Il est impératif que les ouvriers mastiquent les cadres selon les normes en vigueur.

It is imperative that the workers putty the frames according to current standards.

Subjunctive after 'il est impératif que'.

7

Rien ne sert de courir, il faut mastiquer à point.

Running is useless; one must chew properly (play on La Fontaine).

Literary allusion and wordplay.

8

Le silence n'était rompu que par le bruit sourd de la bête mastiquant son fourrage.

The silence was only broken by the dull sound of the beast chewing its fodder.

Present participle in a descriptive relative clause.

Synonyms

mâcher broyer ruminer grignoter manduquer sceller calfutrer triturer

Antonyms

avaler dégobiller décoller jeûner

Common Collocations

mastiquer lentement
bien mastiquer
mastiquer du chewing-gum
mastiquer les joints
mastiquer bruyamment
mastiquer soigneusement
difficulté à mastiquer
mastiquer longuement
mastiquer à nouveau
mastiquer mécaniquement

Common Phrases

Prendre le temps de mastiquer

— To eat slowly and deliberately for health reasons.

Prenez le temps de mastiquer pour éviter les ballonnements.

Mastiquer avec soin

— To chew with great attention to detail or etiquette.

Elle mastique avec soin pour apprécier les arômes.

Apprendre à mastiquer

— Teaching a child or pet how to process solid food.

Le chiot apprend à mastiquer ses nouvelles croquettes.

Mastiquer les vitres

— To apply putty to window panes.

Mon père passait ses samedis à mastiquer les vitres de la serre.

Savoir mastiquer

— To know the proper way to process food (often used in health contexts).

Savoir mastiquer est la base d'une bonne nutrition.

Mastiquer pour digérer

— The fundamental link between chewing and digestion.

On nous apprend dès l'école à mastiquer pour digérer.

Mastiquer en silence

— To eat without making noise or talking.

Dans ce monastère, on doit mastiquer en silence.

Mastiquer de travers

— To chew awkwardly or on the wrong side of the mouth.

J'ai mastiqué de travers et je me suis mordu la joue.

Mastiquer chaque morceau

— Emphasizing the thoroughness of the eating process.

Il mastique chaque morceau avec une précision chirurgicale.

Mastiquer la gomme

— A slightly more formal way to say chewing gum.

Il est interdit de mastiquer la gomme pendant le concert.

Idioms & Expressions

"Mâcher ses mots"

— To speak unclearly or, more commonly, to be blunt (used with 'ne pas'). Note: 'Mastiquer' is NOT used here.

Elle ne mâche pas ses mots.

informal
"Mâcher le travail"

— To do the hard part of the work for someone else. Note: 'Mastiquer' is NOT used here.

Je lui ai mâché tout le travail.

informal
"Mastication lente"

— Used as a noun phrase to describe a lifestyle choice (Fletcherism).

Il est adepte de la mastication lente.

neutral
"Avoir de la mâche"

— To have a good, substantial texture (in culinary reviews).

Ce pain a vraiment de la mâche.

culinary
"Mastiquer du noir"

— A rare variant of 'broyer du noir' (to be depressed).

Il mastique du noir depuis son départ.

literary
"Mastiquer à vide"

— To move the jaws as if chewing when there is no food.

Le vieillard mastiquait à vide dans son sommeil.

descriptive
"Mastiquer le vent"

— To talk a lot without saying anything substantial.

Ce politicien ne fait que mastiquer le vent.

informal
"Mastiquer sa rancœur"

— To dwell on bitterness or resentment.

Il mastique sa rancœur depuis des années.

literary
"Mastiquer un problème"

— To think deeply about a difficult situation.

Laisse-moi mastiquer ce problème quelques minutes.

neutral
"Mastiquer le bitume"

— To fall face-first onto the road (cycling/skating slang).

Il a fini par mastiquer le bitume après ce virage.

slang

Word Family

Nouns

mastication (f) - the act of chewing
mastic (m) - putty/sealant
mâche (f) - texture/chewiness of food

Verbs

remastiquer - to chew again

Adjectives

masticable - chewable
masticatoire - relating to chewing

Related

dent
mâchoire
salive
digestion
palais
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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'Mastiff' dog 'mastiquant' (chewing) on a large bone. The 'Mas' in Mastiff and 'Mas' in mastiquer match!

Visual Association

Visualize a giant set of mechanical teeth grinding down a gear. The word 'mastiquer' sounds technical and mechanical.

Word Origin

From the Late Latin 'masticare,' which comes from the Greek 'mastikhan' (to gnash the teeth).

Original meaning: The physical act of grinding with the teeth.

Indo-European (Romance branch).
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