French · Body & Health

"Blood pressure" in French: tension

la tension

Say it: lah tahn-SYOHNfeminine · la tensionnoun/la tɑ̃.sjɔ̃/

Note: also: la tension artérielle

Blood pressure in French is la tension — everyday clinic word. Doctors may say la tension artérielle, but tension must appear. Prendre la tension means to take blood pressure.

GP checkup

On va prendre la tension d'abord.
We'll take the blood pressure first.
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How to pronounce tension

Say it

lah tahn-SYOHN

/la tɑ̃.sjɔ̃/

La tension: lah tahn-SYOHN. Soft nasal on sion.

"Blood pressure" in French: quick reference

FrenchEnglish
la tensionblood pressure

Default everyday.

la tension artériellearterial blood pressure

Fuller clinical.

prendre la tensionto take blood pressure

Procedure.

tension élevée / bassehigh / low blood pressure

Results.

How to use tension in real life

  1. 1GP checkup

    On va prendre la tension d'abord.

    We'll take the blood pressure first.

    Tension appears.

  2. 2Pharmacy machine

    Ma tension est un peu haute ce matin.

    My blood pressure is a bit high this morning.

    Result talk.

  3. 3Hospital ward

    L'infirmière note la tension toutes les heures.

    The nurse notes blood pressure every hour.

    Monitoring.

Mistakes English speakers make with tension

Incorrect: La pression sanguine (as the only habit).

Correct: La tension.

Everyday French clinics say la tension.

Incorrect: Le tension.

Correct: La tension.

Tension is feminine: la.

Good to know

French GPs and pharmacies talk la tension constantly; tension artérielle appears on forms. High blood pressure is hypertension, but patients still say j'ai la tension un peu haute.

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At the doctor's office

  1. ChatPal

    Ils vont mesurer la tension ?

    Are they going to measure blood pressure?

  2. You

    Oui on prend la tension à chaque visite.

    Yes—they take blood pressure every visit.

  3. ChatPal

    Ma tension était bonne la dernière fois.

    My blood pressure was good last time.

  4. You

    Croisons les doigts.

    Fingers crossed.

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"Blood pressure" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Blood pressure" in French

How do you say blood pressure in French?

La tension.

Fuller clinical term?

La tension artérielle.

How do you say take blood pressure?

Prendre la tension.

How do you pronounce tension?

tahn-SYOHN.

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