French · Body & Health
"Prescription" in French: ordonnance
l'ordonnance
A medical prescription in French is l'ordonnance, feminine. Médicament sur ordonnance means prescription medicine. Ordonnance also means a written order.
Doctor visit
Le médecin me fait une ordonnance.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce ordonnance
Say it
lor-do-NAHNS
/ɔʁ.dɔ.nɑ̃s/
Ordonnance: or-do-NAHNS. With elision: lor-do-NAHNS.
"Prescription" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| l'ordonnance | the prescription Default medical sense. | Default medical sense. |
| une ordonnance | a prescription From the doctor. | From the doctor. |
| sur ordonnance | by prescription Pharmacy labels. | Pharmacy labels. |
| renouveler une ordonnance | to renew a prescription Follow-up. | Follow-up. |
How to use ordonnance in real life
- 1Doctor visit
Le médecin me fait une ordonnance.
The doctor is writing me a prescription.
Une ordonnance.
- 2Pharmacy
Voici mon ordonnance pour les antibiotiques.
Here's my prescription for the antibiotics.
Mon ordonnance.
- 3Label
Ce médicament est sur ordonnance seulement.
This medicine is prescription-only.
Sur ordonnance.
Mistakes English speakers make with ordonnance
Incorrect: Un ordonnance.
Correct: Une ordonnance.
Ordonnance is feminine.
Incorrect: Ma prescription médicale.
Correct: Mon ordonnance.
Everyday French uses ordonnance.
Good to know
French pharmacies are strict about ordonnances for many drugs. Keep the paper — renewals often need it. Prescription in French can also mean a recipe/formula in other contexts, so ordonnance is clearer medically.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
At the pharmacy
ChatPal
Tu as l'ordonnance avec toi ?
Do you have the prescription with you?
You
Oui, voici l'ordonnance du médecin.
Yes, here's the doctor's prescription.
ChatPal
Parfait, je prépare ça.
Perfect, I'll prepare that.
You
Merci.
Thanks.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Prescription" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Prescription" in French
How do you say prescription in French?
L'ordonnance.
How do you say prescription-only?
Sur ordonnance.
Is ordonnance feminine?
Yes: une ordonnance.
How do you pronounce ordonnance?
or-do-NAHNS.
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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