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A1 noun #8,000 mais comum 8 min de leitura

dentifrice

Top 8,000

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas dentifrice em 30 segundos

Explicação dentifrice in your Level:

At the A1 level, the focus is on recognizing and using 'dentifrice' in simple, everyday contexts. A learner should know that it means toothpaste and is a masculine noun. They should be able to ask for it in a shop ('Où est le dentifrice ?') and use it in basic sentences about their morning routine ('Je brosse mes dents avec du dentifrice'). The emphasis is on survival vocabulary and basic grammar like the partitive article 'du'. Understanding that 'dentifrice' is a single word for 'toothpaste' is the primary goal. Learners should also be able to identify the word on a shopping list or a sign in a bathroom. Pronunciation at this stage focuses on the nasal 'en' and the final 'ice' sound.

At the A2 level, learners expand their use of 'dentifrice' to include descriptions and more complex interactions. They can use adjectives to describe the toothpaste, such as 'un dentifrice à la menthe' or 'un tube de dentifrice vide'. They should be able to handle negative constructions correctly, changing 'du dentifrice' to 'de dentifrice' (e.g., 'Il n'y a plus de dentifrice'). A2 learners can also talk about their preferences, such as preferring a certain brand or flavor. They might also begin to use the word in the context of travel or staying with a host family, being able to ask 'Puis-je utiliser votre dentifrice ?' with proper politeness markers.

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By B1, the learner can discuss the function and ingredients of 'dentifrice' in a more detailed way. They can understand advice from a dentist or a pharmacist regarding oral hygiene. They can explain why they use a specific type of toothpaste, perhaps for 'dents sensibles' or 'gencives qui saignent'. At this level, the learner can read more complex texts, like the back of a toothpaste box, and understand terms like 'protection contre les caries' or 'renforcement de l'émail'. They can also participate in discussions about health habits and the importance of using 'dentifrice' twice a day. Their grammar should be solid, correctly using various pronouns and prepositions with the word.

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At the B2 level, speakers can engage with 'dentifrice' in technical, commercial, or environmental contexts. They might discuss the environmental impact of plastic 'tubes de dentifrice' and the rise of 'dentifrice solide' as a sustainable alternative. They can understand and critique advertisements, recognizing how marketing language is used to sell different types of toothpaste. B2 learners can also handle more abstract discussions, such as the chemistry of fluoride or the history of dental hygiene. They are comfortable using the word in professional settings, such as a business meeting about consumer goods or a health seminar. Their vocabulary includes related terms like 'abrasivité' and 'microplastiques'.

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C1 level proficiency involves a deep understanding of the nuances and cultural associations of 'dentifrice'. The speaker can use the word in sophisticated literary or academic contexts. They might analyze the sociological aspects of dental hygiene in France compared to other countries. They can understand subtle humor or wordplay involving the word in media. A C1 speaker is capable of reading scientific journals in French that discuss the efficacy of various 'dentifrices' in clinical trials. They can express complex opinions on regulations regarding ingredients like triclosan or titanium dioxide in toothpaste formulations. Their use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a native speaker, including perfect command of register.

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At the C2 level, the speaker has complete mastery over the word 'dentifrice' and its place in the French language. They can discuss the etymology of the word in depth, tracing its journey from Latin to modern French. They can use it in highly specialized professional fields, such as dental medicine, chemistry, or high-level marketing strategy. A C2 speaker can write persuasive essays or technical reports about the dental industry, using 'dentifrice' as a focal point for broader discussions on public health policy or industrial innovation. They are also aware of very rare or archaic synonyms and can use the word creatively in poetry or prose, playing with its phonetic qualities and its associations with the intimate daily ritual.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

dentifrice em 30 segundos

Dentifrice is the common French word for toothpaste, used in daily hygiene routines to clean teeth and prevent cavities.
It is a masculine noun (le dentifrice), and you typically use it with the partitive article 'du' in sentences.
You can find many varieties in French stores, including whitening, herbal, and sensitive teeth versions, often sold in tubes.
The word is essential for A1 learners as it covers basic daily activities and bathroom-related vocabulary in Francophone cultures.

The word dentifrice is the standard French term for toothpaste. While English speakers might occasionally use the technical term 'dentifrice' in a medical or historical context, in French, it is the everyday, common word used by everyone from toddlers to dental surgeons. Understanding this word is fundamental for daily life in a French-speaking environment, as it is part of the basic morning and evening routine. The word itself is a masculine noun, which is a crucial grammatical point for learners: we say le dentifrice or mon dentifrice.

Daily Routine: In France, the act of brushing one's teeth is usually referred to as se brosser les dents. The toothpaste is the essential tool for this task. You will find it in every bathroom cabinet across the Francophone world.
Purchasing: When shopping in a French supermarket (like Carrefour or Monoprix), you will look for the 'Hygiène' or 'Beauté' aisle. The shelves will be stocked with various types of dentifrice: whitening (blancheur), sensitive teeth (dents sensibles), or herbal (aux herbes).

N'oublie pas d'acheter un tube de dentifrice quand tu iras au supermarché.

Historically, the term comes from the Latin roots for 'tooth' and 'to rub'. This reflects the mechanical action of cleaning. In modern French, the word is indispensable. Whether you are staying at a hotel and realized you forgot yours, or you are visiting a dentist for a check-up, knowing how to use this word correctly with its masculine gender is a mark of a proficient A1 learner. It is also interesting to note that while English has 'toothpaste', French does not have a word that literally translates to 'pâte à dents' in common usage, although you might hear it in some specific regional dialects or very old texts.

In a broader cultural sense, the French take dental hygiene seriously, and the variety of dentifrices available reflects a preoccupation with both health and aesthetics. You will see advertisements for dentifrice on television frequently, often emphasizing the scientific benefits of fluoride or the natural benefits of essential oils. For a learner, mastering the pronunciation of the 'en' nasal sound and the final 'ice' is a great exercise in French phonetics.

Ce dentifrice a un goût de menthe très fort.

Using dentifrice correctly involves understanding its role as a masculine noun and how it interacts with verbs of hygiene. The most common verb associated with it is mettre (to put). You 'put' toothpaste on your brush. Another common context is the quantity: we speak of a tube de dentifrice (a tube of toothpaste).

With Partitive Articles: Because toothpaste is a mass noun (you don't count individual 'toothpastes'), you use du: 'Il me faut du dentifrice'.
In Negation: In negative sentences, du becomes de: 'Je n'ai plus de dentifrice' (I don't have any more toothpaste).

Peux-tu me passer le dentifrice, s'il te plaît ?

When describing the type of toothpaste, adjectives follow the noun and agree in gender. Since dentifrice is masculine, the adjectives stay in their masculine form. For example: un dentifrice efficace, un dentifrice bio, un dentifrice mentholé. If you are talking about the brand, you would say 'le dentifrice de la marque X'.

In more complex sentences, you might describe the properties of the substance. 'Ce dentifrice contient du fluor pour protéger l'émail des dents.' (This toothpaste contains fluoride to protect the tooth enamel). Or in a travel context: 'Est-ce que je peux emmener ce tube de dentifrice dans mon bagage à main ?' (Can I take this tube of toothpaste in my carry-on luggage?). The word is versatile and appears in various syntactic structures, from simple requests to detailed medical descriptions.

Il a renversé du dentifrice sur son pyjama ce matin.

You will encounter the word dentifrice in several distinct environments. The most common is within the domestic sphere. In a French household, you’ll hear parents telling children: 'N'oublie pas le dentifrice !' or 'Ne mets pas trop de dentifrice sur ta brosse.' It is a staple of family morning dialogue. Secondly, you will hear it in commercial contexts. Television and radio advertisements in France are filled with catchy slogans for dentifrice brands, often featuring actors in white lab coats discussing 'la plaque dentaire' and 'la fraîcheur durable'.

At the Dentist: A French dentist (le dentiste) will often recommend a specific type of dentifrice based on your oral health. They might say, 'Je vous recommande un dentifrice riche en calcium'.
In Pharmacies: French pharmacies are unique; they are high-end health hubs. If you ask a pharmacist for advice, they will point you to the 'parapharmacie' section where specialized dentifrices are sold for gum health or whitening.

Le pharmacien m'a conseillé un dentifrice spécial pour les gencives sensibles.

Furthermore, you will see the word written on product packaging and in magazines. In beauty and health columns, journalists often compare the ingredients of different dentifrices. In travel settings, such as airports, you might see signs or hear announcements regarding the 100ml limit for liquids and gels, which explicitly includes le dentifrice. It is a word that bridges the gap between the mundane routine of the bathroom and the professional world of healthcare and retail.

Regarde cette publicité, ils disent que ce dentifrice blanchit les dents en trois jours.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when learning the word dentifrice is getting the gender wrong. Because many bathroom items like la brosse (the brush), la douche (the shower), and la serviette (the towel) are feminine, there is a natural tendency to assume dentifrice is also feminine. However, it is stubbornly masculine. Always remember: le dentifrice.

The 'Toothpaste' Literal Translation: Beginners sometimes try to translate 'toothpaste' literally as 'pâte de dent' or 'pâte à dents'. While 'pâte dentifrice' exists as a more formal/technical term, 'pâte à dents' sounds like a direct translation from English and is not the standard term used in France.
Pronunciation Pitfalls: The 'en' in 'dentifrice' is a nasal vowel. English speakers often pronounce the 'n' clearly as in 'dentist', but in French, the 'n' is not pronounced as a consonant; it nasalizes the 'e'. Also, the 'ce' at the end is a soft 's' sound, not a 'k' sound.

Incorrect: J'ai besoin de la dentifrice.
Correct: J'ai besoin du dentifrice.

Another mistake involves the use of articles. In English, we might say 'I need toothpaste'. In French, you cannot omit the article. You must say 'J'ai besoin de dentifrice' or 'J'ai besoin du dentifrice'. Omitting the article makes the sentence sound incomplete and grammatically broken to a native speaker. Furthermore, confusing dentifrice with dentiste is a common slip of the tongue due to the shared root 'dent-'.

Finally, watch out for spelling. English speakers might be tempted to add a 'y' or change the ending to 'paste'. Stick to the French spelling: d-e-n-t-i-f-r-i-c-e. It is identical to the English technical word, which can be a helpful mnemonic, provided you remember that in French, it is the common word, not a technical one.

While dentifrice is the primary word for toothpaste, there are several related terms and alternatives that a learner should be aware of to enrich their vocabulary. These terms range from specific types of cleaners to the tools used alongside the paste.

Pâte dentifrice vs. Gel dentaire: Pâte dentifrice is the full, slightly more formal name for toothpaste. Gel dentaire refers specifically to the transparent or translucent gel versions of the product, often used for sensitive teeth or medicinal applications.
Bain de bouche: This translates to 'mouthwash'. It is often used after the dentifrice to provide extra freshness or antibacterial protection. It is also a masculine noun (le bain de bouche).
Fil dentaire: This is 'dental floss'. Like toothpaste, it is a key part of oral hygiene, but it serves a different mechanical purpose.

Je préfère le gel dentaire au dentifrice classique car il est plus doux.

In recent years, natural alternatives have become popular in France. You might hear people talking about le dentifrice solide (solid toothpaste, which looks like a small tablet or a block of soap) or le bicarbonate de soude (baking soda), which some people use as a natural whitener. Another related term is le brossage, which refers to the act of brushing itself.

Understanding these distinctions helps a learner navigate a pharmacy or have a more detailed conversation about health. For instance, if you have a toothache, a dentist might tell you to stop using a whitening dentifrice and switch to a gel apaisant (soothing gel). Being able to distinguish between these products is a sign of advancing from basic A1 vocabulary to a more nuanced A2/B1 level of practical French.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

In ancient Rome, 'dentifricium' often contained ingredients like crushed bones, oyster shells, and even ammonia from urine to help whiten the teeth. Thankfully, the modern French 'dentifrice' is much more pleasant!

Guia de pronúncia

UK /dɑ̃.ti.fʁis/

US /dɑ̃.ti.fʁis/

Stress is evenly distributed, with a slight emphasis on the final syllable 'frice'.

Rima com

caprice cicatrice indice sacrifice exercice service complice office

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 'n' as a consonant (it should be a nasal vowel).
Pronouncing the final 'e' (it is silent).
Making the 'c' sound like a 'k'.
Using an English 'r' instead of the French uvular 'r'.
Confusing the 'ti' with 'shi'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 1/5

Very easy to recognize as it looks like the English technical word.

Escrita 2/5

Moderate due to the spelling of 'en' and 'ice'.

Expressão oral 2/5

Requires practice with the nasal 'en' and uvular 'r'.

Audição 1/5

Easy to hear in the context of bathroom or hygiene discussions.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

dent brosse bouche eau propre

Aprenda a seguir

gencive émail carie dentiste haleine

Avançado

hydroxyapatite gingivite parodontite orthodontie détartrage

Gramática essencial

Partitive articles with mass nouns.

Je prends du dentifrice.

Gender of nouns ending in -ice.

Le dentifrice, le service (usually masculine).

Adjective agreement with masculine nouns.

Un dentifrice blanc.

Negation of partitive articles.

Je n'ai plus de dentifrice.

Using 'à' for flavors.

Dentifrice à la menthe.

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Exemplos por nível

Où est le dentifrice ?

Where is the toothpaste?

Uses the definite article 'le' for a specific object.

J'achète du dentifrice.

I am buying some toothpaste.

Uses the partitive article 'du' for an unspecified amount.

Le dentifrice est sur la table.

The toothpaste is on the table.

Basic subject-verb-complement structure.

Tu as du dentifrice ?

Do you have any toothpaste?

Interrogative sentence with partitive article.

Je n'ai pas de dentifrice.

I don't have any toothpaste.

In negation, 'du' becomes 'de'.

Le dentifrice sent bon.

The toothpaste smells good.

Simple descriptive sentence.

C'est mon dentifrice.

It is my toothpaste.

Uses the possessive adjective 'mon'.

Un petit tube de dentifrice.

A small tube of toothpaste.

Noun phrase with adjective and preposition.

Je préfère le dentifrice à la menthe.

I prefer mint toothpaste.

Uses 'à la' to indicate flavor.

Il reste un peu de dentifrice dans le tube.

There is a little toothpaste left in the tube.

Uses 'un peu de' to express quantity.

N'oublie pas de fermer le dentifrice.

Don't forget to close the toothpaste.

Imperative with an infinitive complement.

Ce dentifrice est très efficace pour les dents blanches.

This toothpaste is very effective for white teeth.

Adjective 'efficace' modifying 'dentifrice'.

Il a mis trop de dentifrice sur sa brosse.

He put too much toothpaste on his brush.

Adverb of quantity 'trop de'.

Nous avons besoin d'un nouveau dentifrice.

We need a new toothpaste.

Uses 'besoin de' with an indefinite article.

Elle utilise un dentifrice pour dents sensibles.

She uses a toothpaste for sensitive teeth.

Prepositional phrase describing purpose.

Le dentifrice est tombé dans le lavabo.

The toothpaste fell into the sink.

Passé composé with 'être'.

Le dentiste m'a conseillé de changer de dentifrice.

The dentist advised me to change toothpaste.

Indirect object pronoun and infinitive construction.

Il est important d'utiliser un dentifrice au fluor.

It is important to use a fluoride toothpaste.

Impersonal construction 'Il est important de'.

Ce dentifrice protège contre les caries pendant douze heures.

This toothpaste protects against cavities for twelve hours.

Verb 'protéger' with preposition 'contre'.

J'ai oublié mon dentifrice dans la chambre d'hôtel.

I forgot my toothpaste in the hotel room.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

On peut trouver du dentifrice bio dans ce magasin.

You can find organic toothpaste in this store.

Indefinite subject 'on' and partitive article.

Le goût de ce dentifrice est un peu trop sucré.

The taste of this toothpaste is a bit too sweet.

Noun phrase with 'de' to show possession/origin.

Voulez-vous essayer cet échantillon de dentifrice ?

Would you like to try this toothpaste sample?

Formal 'vous' and demonstrative adjective 'cet'.

Le dentifrice ne doit pas être avalé par les enfants.

Toothpaste must not be swallowed by children.

Passive voice with 'être' and 'par'.

La publicité pour ce dentifrice promet des résultats miraculeux.

The advertisement for this toothpaste promises miraculous results.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

L'industrie du dentifrice cherche des alternatives au plastique.

The toothpaste industry is looking for alternatives to plastic.

Abstract noun 'industrie' followed by 'du'.

Certains dentifrices contiennent des agents blanchissants puissants.

Some toothpastes contain powerful whitening agents.

Indefinite adjective 'certains' in the plural.

Il est recommandé de ne pas rincer le dentifrice immédiatement après le brossage.

It is recommended not to rinse the toothpaste immediately after brushing.

Negative infinitive 'ne pas rincer'.

L'efficacité de ce dentifrice a été prouvée par des études cliniques.

The effectiveness of this toothpaste has been proven by clinical studies.

Passive voice in passé composé.

Le dentifrice solide gagne en popularité parmi les consommateurs écoresponsables.

Solid toothpaste is gaining popularity among eco-responsible consumers.

Present tense describing a trend.

Il faut vérifier la concentration en fluor du dentifrice pour enfants.

One must check the fluoride concentration of children's toothpaste.

Impersonal 'Il faut' followed by infinitive.

Le dentifrice peut parfois causer des irritations buccales.

Toothpaste can sometimes cause oral irritations.

Modal verb 'peut' with frequency adverb.

L'évolution de la formulation du dentifrice reflète les progrès de la chimie moderne.

The evolution of toothpaste formulation reflects the progress of modern chemistry.

Sophisticated abstract vocabulary.

Le dentifrice ne se contente plus de nettoyer, il soigne désormais les pathologies gingivales.

Toothpaste no longer just cleans; it now treats gum pathologies.

Pronominal verb 'se contenter de' in the negative.

L'impact environnemental des microplastiques présents dans certains dentifrices est préoccupant.

The environmental impact of microplastics present in some toothpastes is worrying.

Complex sentence with relative adjective phrase.

Le marketing sensoriel joue un rôle clé dans le choix d'un dentifrice par le consommateur.

Sensory marketing plays a key role in the consumer's choice of a toothpaste.

Technical marketing terminology.

On observe une méfiance croissante envers les composants synthétiques du dentifrice conventionnel.

An increasing mistrust towards the synthetic components of conventional toothpaste is observed.

Passive construction with 'On' and 'envers'.

La texture du dentifrice doit être parfaitement équilibrée pour assurer une abrasivité contrôlée.

The texture of the toothpaste must be perfectly balanced to ensure controlled abrasiveness.

Adverbial modification of adjectives.

Le dentifrice est devenu un produit de consommation de masse incontournable au XXe siècle.

Toothpaste became an essential mass consumption product in the 20th century.

Historical narrative using passé composé.

La réglementation européenne encadre strictement la teneur en substances actives du dentifrice.

European regulation strictly governs the active substance content of toothpaste.

Formal administrative language.

L'omniprésence du dentifrice dans nos rituels quotidiens occulte son origine apothicaire complexe.

The omnipresence of toothpaste in our daily rituals hides its complex apothecary origin.

High-level literary vocabulary ('occulte').

L'adhésion du public aux promesses de blancheur du dentifrice témoigne d'un idéal esthétique normatif.

The public's adherence to the whitening promises of toothpaste testifies to a normative aesthetic ideal.

Sociological analysis phrasing.

Il serait réducteur de considérer le dentifrice comme un simple adjuvant mécanique au brossage.

It would be reductive to consider toothpaste as a simple mechanical adjuvant to brushing.

Conditional mood and formal negation.

La rhétorique publicitaire du dentifrice s'appuie souvent sur une pseudo-scientificité rassurante.

The advertising rhetoric of toothpaste often relies on a reassuring pseudo-scientificity.

Advanced critical analysis.

La transition vers des dentifrices anhydres marque une rupture majeure dans le paradigme de l'hygiène buccale.

The transition to anhydrous toothpastes marks a major break in the oral hygiene paradigm.

Highly technical terminology ('anhydres', 'paradigme').

Nonobstant son utilité prophylactique, le dentifrice peut receler des allergènes insoupçonnés.

Notwithstanding its prophylactic utility, toothpaste can contain unsuspected allergens.

Use of formal conjunction 'Nonobstant'.

L'ergonomie du conditionnement du dentifrice fait l'objet de recherches poussées en ingénierie.

The ergonomics of toothpaste packaging is the subject of extensive engineering research.

Passive-like construction with 'faire l'objet de'.

La diffusion mondiale du dentifrice fluoré a drastiquement infléchi la courbe de prévalence des caries.

The global spread of fluoridated toothpaste has drastically shifted the cavity prevalence curve.

Precise scientific and statistical language.

Colocações comuns

un tube de dentifrice

mettre du dentifrice

dentifrice au fluor

dentifrice blancheur

goût de dentifrice

marque de dentifrice

dentifrice pour enfants

dentifrice sans fluor

étaler le dentifrice

dentifrice solide

Frases Comuns

Il n'y a plus de dentifrice.

— We have run out of toothpaste. Used to signal the need to buy more.

Chéri, il n'y a plus de dentifrice dans la salle de bain !

Passe-moi le dentifrice.

— Hand me the toothpaste. A common request in the bathroom.

Passe-moi le dentifrice s'il te plaît, j'ai fini avec la brosse.

Un point de dentifrice.

— A pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Often used in instructions.

Un simple point de dentifrice suffit pour les petits.

Dentifrice à croquer.

— Toothpaste tablets that you chew. A modern eco-friendly option.

J'ai acheté du dentifrice à croquer pour mon voyage.

Le bouchon du dentifrice.

— The toothpaste cap. Often a source of domestic minor conflict if left off.

Qui a encore perdu le bouchon du dentifrice ?

Dentifrice multi-protection.

— All-in-one toothpaste. A common marketing term.

Je prends toujours le dentifrice multi-protection.

Une noisette de dentifrice.

— A hazelnut-sized amount (dab) of toothpaste.

Déposez une noisette de dentifrice sur les poils de la brosse.

Dentifrice haleine fraîche.

— Fresh breath toothpaste.

Ce dentifrice haleine fraîche est très puissant.

Rayon dentifrice.

— The toothpaste section in a store.

Je te rejoins au rayon dentifrice.

Tache de dentifrice.

— A toothpaste stain.

Tu as une tache de dentifrice sur ton t-shirt.

Frequentemente confundido com

dentifrice vs dentiste

Both start with 'dent-', but one is the doctor and the other is the paste.

dentifrice vs denture

Refers to the set of teeth or false teeth, not the cleaning product.

dentifrice vs détartrage

The professional cleaning process at the dentist, not the product used at home.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Remettre le dentifrice dans le tube"

— To try to undo something that cannot be undone. Similar to 'you can't unring a bell'.

Une fois que le secret est sorti, c'est comme essayer de remettre le dentifrice dans le tube.

informal

"Avoir un sourire de dentifrice"

— To have a perfect, bright, but perhaps artificial or overly staged smile.

Il a toujours ce sourire de dentifrice sur les photos.

neutral

"Vendre du dentifrice"

— To engage in superficial or overly commercial promotion.

Ce politicien ne fait que vendre du dentifrice, il n'a pas de programme.

informal

"Être comme un tube de dentifrice vide"

— To be completely exhausted or drained of energy.

Après cette semaine de travail, je suis comme un tube de dentifrice vide.

slang

"Presser le tube jusqu'au bout"

— To get every last bit of value or utility out of something.

Il a pressé le tube de son contrat jusqu'au bout.

neutral

"Un goût de dentifrice"

— Used to describe something that feels unpleasantly medicinal or chemically minty.

Ce cocktail a un goût de dentifrice, c'est horrible.

neutral

"Faire mousser le dentifrice"

— To exaggerate the importance of something (similar to 'faire mousser' in general).

Il fait mousser son petit projet comme si c'était du dentifrice miracle.

informal

"Laisser le dentifrice ouvert"

— Metaphor for being messy or neglectful in small details.

Leur relation a échoué parce qu'il laissait toujours le dentifrice ouvert.

informal

"Sourire Colgate"

— While using a brand name, it's a common idiom for a perfect white smile.

Elle est entrée avec son sourire Colgate.

informal

"Cracher le dentifrice"

— To finally say what's on your mind (rare/regional).

Allez, crache le dentifrice, on sait que tu es en colère.

slang

Fácil de confundir

dentifrice vs dentelle

Similar sounding start.

Dentelle means 'lace' (the fabric). It has nothing to do with teeth hygiene.

Sa robe est en dentelle blanche.

dentifrice vs dentier

Related to teeth.

A dentier is a set of false teeth (dentures).

Le grand-père a enlevé son dentier.

dentifrice vs déodorant

Another bathroom hygiene product.

Déodorant is for underarms; dentifrice is for teeth.

Il a mis du déodorant après sa douche.

dentifrice vs savon

Both are cleaning agents used in the bathroom.

Savon is soap for the body; dentifrice is specifically for teeth.

Lave tes mains avec du savon.

dentifrice vs pâte

Dentifrice is a 'pâte'.

Pâte usually refers to pasta or dough in a culinary context.

Je prépare une pâte à pizza.

Padrões de frases

Je [verb] du dentifrice.

Je mets du dentifrice.

Où est le [noun] ?

Où est le dentifrice ?

Il n'y a plus de [noun].

Il n'y a plus de dentifrice.

Un [noun] à la [flavor].

Un dentifrice à la menthe.

Il est [adj] de [verb] du [noun].

Il est conseillé d'utiliser du dentifrice.

Le [noun] que j'utilise est [adj].

Le dentifrice que j'utilise est bio.

Malgré le [noun], j'ai des [problem].

Malgré le dentifrice, j'ai des caries.

L'usage du [noun] s'est généralisé suite à...

L'usage du dentifrice s'est généralisé suite aux campagnes de santé.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

dent (tooth)

dentition (dentition)

denture (set of teeth)

dentiste (dentist)

Verbos

denter (to indent - rare)

denteler (to notch)

Adjetivos

dentaire (dental)

denté (toothed)

dentelé (jagged)

Relacionado

brosse à dents

gencive

émail

plaque

carie

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Como usar

frequency

Extremely high in daily life and retail contexts.

Erros comuns

La dentifrice → Le dentifrice
Dentifrice is a masculine noun. This is the most common error for beginners.
Pâte à dents → Dentifrice
While 'pâte à dents' might be understood, it's an anglicism and not the standard word in France.
J'ai besoin dentifrice → J'ai besoin de dentifrice
You must use the preposition 'de' with the expression 'avoir besoin de'.
Pronouncing the 'n' → Nasal 'en'
The 'n' should not be heard as a hard consonant; it should change the sound of the 'e'.
Le dentifrice menthe → Le dentifrice à la menthe
When specifying a flavor, use 'à la' or 'au'.

Dicas

Remember the Gender

Think of 'LE' dentifrice. Associate it with 'LE' savon. All your main cleaning pastes/bars are masculine!

Quantity Matters

Always use 'un tube de' when buying. It's the most natural way to quantify toothpaste.

Nasal Vowels

Don't let the 'd-e-n-t' fool you into saying it like English 'dentist'. Keep that 'en' nasal and soft.

Look for the Red Box

In France, 'Email Diamant' is a very famous traditional dentifrice. Its box is distinctive!

Pharmacy vs Supermarket

For sensitive teeth, go to the pharmacy. For basic needs, the supermarket (supermarché) is fine.

Partitive Article

Remember: 'Je mets DU dentifrice'. Using 'le' here sounds like you are putting the whole tube on the brush!

Dent-I-Frice

Dent (tooth) + I + Frice (sounds like freeze/ice). It keeps your teeth fresh and cold!

Liquid Rules

In airports, dentifrice counts as a liquid/gel. Keep your tube under 100ml for carry-ons.

Asking to Borrow

If you borrow some, say: 'Est-ce que je peux t'emprunter un peu de dentifrice ?'

No 'y' allowed

Unlike some English medical terms, French 'dentifrice' uses only 'i's. No 'y' in the middle!

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of a **DENT**ist giving you a **FREE** (**FRICE**) sample of toothpaste. **DENT-I-FRICE**.

Associação visual

Imagine a giant tube of toothpaste squeezing out a perfect blue swirl onto a toothbrush. The swirl forms the letters 'LE' to remind you it is masculine.

Word Web

Brosse à dents Dents Bouche Menthe Fluor Gencives Sourire Blancheur

Desafio

Go into your bathroom and say out loud: 'Voici mon dentifrice. Il est bleu et blanc.' Repeat this for three days.

Origem da palavra

Borrowed from the Latin word 'dentifricium'. This Latin term is a compound formed from 'dens, dentis' meaning 'tooth' and 'fricare' meaning 'to rub'. Thus, the literal meaning is 'something to rub the teeth with'.

Significado original: A powder or paste used for cleaning teeth in Roman times.

Italic -> Romance -> French.

Contexto cultural

No particular sensitivities, though discussing personal hygiene can be intimate.

Unlike in English where 'dentifrice' is a rare, technical term, in French it is the only word for toothpaste. Don't be afraid to use it!

The brand 'Email Diamant', famous in France for its red paste and iconic logo. Advertisements for 'Signal' or 'Colgate' which are staples of French TV. The movie 'Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez' has scenes involving daily morning routines.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Morning Routine

Où est le dentifrice ?
Je me brosse les dents.
Il reste du dentifrice ?
Ferme le tube.

Shopping

Un tube de dentifrice, s'il vous plaît.
Quel est le prix de ce dentifrice ?
C'est au rayon hygiène.
Je cherche un dentifrice bio.

At the Dentist

Quel dentifrice utilisez-vous ?
Je vous conseille ce dentifrice.
Évitez les dentifrices trop abrasifs.
Utilisez un dentifrice au fluor.

Travel

J'ai oublié mon dentifrice.
Puis-je emprunter ton dentifrice ?
Un petit format pour l'avion.
Le dentifrice a coulé dans ma trousse.

Advertising

Pour un sourire éclatant.
Protection 24 heures.
Recommandé par les experts.
Fraîcheur intense.

Iniciadores de conversa

"Quelle marque de dentifrice utilisez-vous habituellement ?"

"Est-ce que tu préfères le dentifrice à la menthe ou aux herbes ?"

"Tu penses que le dentifrice blanchissant fonctionne vraiment ?"

"As-tu déjà essayé le dentifrice solide ou en tablettes ?"

"Est-ce que tu mets le dentifrice avant ou après avoir mouillé la brosse ?"

Temas para diário

Décris ta routine du matin en utilisant le mot dentifrice.

Imagine une publicité pour un nouveau dentifrice révolutionnaire.

Raconte une fois où tu as oublié ton dentifrice en voyage.

Que penses-tu des ingrédients naturels dans le dentifrice ?

Pourquoi l'hygiène dentaire est-elle importante pour toi ?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

It is masculine. You should always say 'le dentifrice' or 'un dentifrice'. This is a common point of confusion for English speakers because many other hygiene words are feminine.

The word is 'dentifrice'. While 'pâte à dents' exists in some regions like Quebec, 'dentifrice' is the standard and most correct term in France.

The plural is 'dentifrices'. You add an 's' at the end, but the pronunciation remains the same as the singular.

Use 'le' when talking about a specific tube or the concept in general. Use 'du' (partitive) when you mean 'some toothpaste' (e.g., 'Je mets du dentifrice').

It will be understood, but it sounds like a literal translation from English and is not the natural word used by locals. Stick to 'dentifrice'.

It means 'fluoride toothpaste'. Most toothpastes in France contain fluoride, and it's a common label to look for.

You can say: 'Je voudrais un tube de dentifrice, s'il vous plaît.' or 'Quel dentifrice me conseillez-vous ?'

Yes, 'dentifrice' is the general term for both. If you want to be specific, you can say 'gel dentaire'.

No, the 'n' is not pronounced as a consonant. It nasalizes the 'e' before it. Think of the sound in the French word 'en'.

No, it is the standard, everyday word. It is used by everyone regardless of the level of formality.

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