French · Body & Health
"Cold (illness)" in French: rhume
le rhume
A cold (illness) in French is le rhume, masculine. J'ai un rhume means I have a cold. It is different from avoir froid (to feel cold).
Calling work
Je reste chez moi, j'ai un rhume.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce rhume
Say it
luh room
/lə ʁym/
room. The r is soft French; u like French u in tu; final e light. Silent h.
"Cold (illness)" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| le rhume | the cold (illness) Default. | Default. |
| avoir un rhume | to have a cold Symptom line. | Symptom line. |
| un gros rhume | a bad cold Intensity. | Intensity. |
| rhume des foins | hay fever Allergy (related word). | Allergy (related word). |
How to use rhume in real life
- 1Calling work
Je reste chez moi, j'ai un rhume.
I'm staying home; I have a cold.
J'ai un rhume.
- 2Pharmacy
Vous avez quelque chose pour le rhume ?
Do you have something for a cold?
Pour le rhume.
- 3Friend check-in
Ce rhume me bloque le nez depuis trois jours.
This cold has blocked my nose for three days.
Ce rhume.
Mistakes English speakers make with rhume
Incorrect: J'ai froid (when you mean illness).
Correct: J'ai un rhume.
Avoir froid is temperature; rhume is the illness.
Incorrect: J'ai une rhume.
Correct: J'ai un rhume.
Rhume is masculine.
Good to know
French pharmacies overflow with rhume remedies every winter. People say un rhume qui traîne for a cold that won't leave.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Canceling a meetup
ChatPal
Tu es enroué, c'est un rhume ?
You're hoarse — is it a cold?
You
Oui, j'ai un rhume depuis lundi.
Yes, I've had a cold since Monday.
ChatPal
Repose-toi, on reporte.
Rest; we'll postpone.
You
Merci, bonne idée.
Thanks, good idea.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Cold (illness)" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Cold (illness)" in French
How do you say a cold in French?
Le rhume / un rhume.
Rhume vs avoir froid?
Rhume is illness; avoir froid is feeling cold.
How do you say I have a cold?
J'ai un rhume.
How do you pronounce rhume?
room.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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