French · Body & Health
"Flu" in French: grippe
la grippe
Flu in French is la grippe, feminine. J'ai la grippe means I have the flu. It is stronger than un rhume (a cold).
Calling in sick
Je reste au lit, j'ai la grippe.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce grippe
Say it
lah GREEP
/la ɡʁip/
GREEP. Soft French g; short i; final e light. With the article: lah GREEP.
"Flu" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| la grippe | the flu Default illness name. | Default illness name. |
| avoir la grippe | to have the flu Symptom line. | Symptom line. |
| une grosse grippe | a bad flu Intensity. | Intensity. |
| grippe intestinale | stomach flu Everyday (not always medical flu). | Everyday (not always medical flu). |
How to use grippe in real life
- 1Calling in sick
Je reste au lit, j'ai la grippe.
I'm staying in bed; I have the flu.
J'ai la grippe.
- 2Pharmacy
Vous avez quelque chose contre la grippe ?
Do you have something for the flu?
Contre la grippe.
- 3Friend check-in
Cette grippe me laisse sans énergie.
This flu leaves me with no energy.
Cette grippe.
Mistakes English speakers make with grippe
Incorrect: J'ai un grippe.
Correct: J'ai la grippe.
Grippe is feminine; usually la grippe, not un.
Incorrect: J'ai la flu.
Correct: J'ai la grippe.
Flu is grippe in French, not the English word.
Good to know
Winter news often talks about l'épidémie de grippe. Pharmacies push vaccines as le vaccin contre la grippe. Friends still say un rhume for a milder cold.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Canceling dinner
ChatPal
Tu tousses beaucoup, c'est la grippe ?
You're coughing a lot — is it the flu?
You
Oui, j'ai la grippe depuis mardi.
Yes, I've had the flu since Tuesday.
ChatPal
Repose-toi, on reporte le dîner.
Rest; we'll postpone dinner.
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"Flu" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Flu" in French
How do you say flu in French?
La grippe.
How do you say I have the flu?
J'ai la grippe.
Grippe vs rhume?
Grippe is flu; rhume is a cold.
How do you pronounce grippe?
GREEP.
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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