French · Body & Health
"Surgery" in French: opération
l'opération
Note: also: la chirurgie
Surgery as an operation in French is l'opération, feminine. J'ai une opération demain means I have surgery tomorrow. La chirurgie is the surgical specialty.
Hospital schedule
L'opération est prévue à huit heures.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce opération
Say it
o-pay-rah-SYOHN
/ɔ.pe.ʁa.sjɔ̃/
Opération: o-pay-rah-SYOHN. Soft t before ion. Chirurgie: shee-roor-ZHEE.
"Surgery" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| l'opération | the surgery / operation The procedure. | The procedure. |
| une opération | a surgery Scheduling talk. | Scheduling talk. |
| passer sur le billard | to go under the knife Informal idiom. | Informal idiom. |
| la chirurgie | surgery (field) Medical specialty. | Medical specialty. |
How to use opération in real life
- 1Hospital schedule
L'opération est prévue à huit heures.
The surgery is scheduled for eight o'clock.
L'opération.
- 2Calling family
Il sort de l'opération dans une heure.
He'll be out of surgery in an hour.
De l'opération.
- 3GP referral
Le médecin parle d'une opération du genou.
The doctor mentions knee surgery.
Une opération.
Mistakes English speakers make with opération
Incorrect: Le opération.
Correct: L'opération.
Feminine with elision: l'opération.
Incorrect: J'ai une surgery demain.
Correct: J'ai une opération demain.
Use opération.
Good to know
French patients say opération for the event and chirurgie for the specialty ward. Consent forms and waiting rooms use opération chronologically: avant / après l'opération.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Waiting-room update
ChatPal
L'opération a commencé à l'heure ?
Did the surgery start on time?
You
Oui. L'opération devrait finir vers onze heures.
Yes. The surgery should finish around eleven.
ChatPal
OK. On reste ici après l'opération.
OK. We'll stay here after the surgery.
You
D'accord. Je prends des nouvelles.
OK. I'll get updates.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Surgery" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Surgery" in French
How do you say surgery in French?
L'opération; the specialty is la chirurgie.
How do you say I have surgery tomorrow?
J'ai une opération demain.
Is opération feminine?
Yes: une opération.
How do you pronounce opération?
o-pay-rah-SYOHN.
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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