French · Body & Health
"Pain" in French: douleur
la douleur
Pain in French is la douleur, feminine. You also hear j'ai mal à… for localized pain: j'ai mal au dos. Douleur sounds a bit more formal or medical than mal in everyday talk.
At the pharmacy
J'ai une douleur dans le genou depuis hier.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce douleur
Say it
lah doo-LUHR
/la du.lœʁ/
doo-LUHR. The ou is like oo in food; the final r is soft French. Liaison in une douleur can add a light d: une-doo-LUHR.
"Pain" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| la douleur | pain Noun for pain in general. | Noun for pain in general. |
| avoir mal à… | to have pain in… Most common everyday pattern. | Most common everyday pattern. |
| une douleur | a pain When you name or describe the pain. | When you name or describe the pain. |
| sans douleur | painless / without pain Medical or product talk. | Medical or product talk. |
How to use douleur in real life
- 1At the pharmacy
J'ai une douleur dans le genou depuis hier.
I've had a pain in my knee since yesterday.
Une douleur + body part.
- 2After sport
Cette douleur au côté me gêne pour courir.
This side pain bothers me when I run.
Douleur au for location.
- 3Doctor visit
La douleur est plus forte le matin.
The pain is stronger in the morning.
La douleur as subject.
Mistakes English speakers make with douleur
Incorrect: J'ai un douleur.
Correct: J'ai une douleur.
Douleur is feminine: une douleur.
Incorrect: Je suis douleur.
Correct: J'ai une douleur. / J'ai mal.
You have pain (avoir), you are not pain.
Good to know
Friends usually say j'ai mal à la tête or j'ai mal au ventre. Douleur appears more in pharmacies, clinics, and careful descriptions of symptoms.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Checking in after a fall
ChatPal
Tu as encore de la douleur au poignet ?
Do you still have pain in your wrist?
You
Un peu. La douleur est moins forte qu'hier.
A little. The pain is weaker than yesterday.
ChatPal
Tu as mis de la glace ?
Did you put ice on it?
You
Oui, deux fois déjà.
Yes, twice already.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Pain" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Pain" in French
What is pain in French?
La douleur.
Is j'ai mal the same?
Often yes in speech; douleur is the noun for pain.
How do you say I have a pain in my back?
J'ai mal au dos, or j'ai une douleur au dos.
How do you pronounce douleur?
doo-LUHR.
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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