Talking About Your Period in French

Talking About Your Period in French This happens to every woman. Yet, books are quite shy when it comes to this vocabulary, a skill that we thought could be useful for women traveling to France. First, let’s explore some French expressions to say to have your period. Avoir Ses Rà ¨gles The most common way to say to menstruate is â€Å"avoir ses rà ¨gles†. Les rà ¨gles is a feminine plural word.   Avoir des rà ¨gles douloureuses: to have painful periodAvoir des crampes menstruelles: to have menstrual crampsLes dernià ¨res rà ¨gles: last menstrual periodLe dà ©but / la fin des rà ¨gles: beginning/end of the periodUn cycle d’ovulation: menstrual cycle Note that the word les rà ¨gles is always feminine plural when used for menstruation. Une rà ¨gle is a rule or a ruler (a plastic piece used to draw lines). The context will make it clear which one you are talking about. Tu as tes rà ¨gles: Do you have your period?Tu as une rà ¨gle: Do you have a ruler? Être Indisposà ©e This means to be indisposed, unwell. But it the chosen expression to say in a subtle way to you have your period. Cette jeune fille ne peut pas aller la piscine, elle est indisposà ©e.This young girl cannot go to the swimming pool, she is indisposed. Avoir Ses Ragnagnas I have no idea where this one comes from, but â€Å"ragnagnas† sounds like someone complaining, protesting†¦ which women often do when they menstruate. So that would be my personal interpretation of the expression! Les Anglais ont Dà ©barquà © Definitely one of the strangest French idiom out there. It translates as â€Å"The English have landed† (from a boat). So, what is the relation between English and menstruating? Well, this expression dates back to Napoleon and the British army, then called the redcoats. Go figure! Although this expression is somewhat old-fashioned, it is still used, often kind of as a joke. Dà ©solà ©e, je nai vraiment pas envie daller faire cette randonnà ©e. Je ne me sens pas trà ¨s bien... enfin, pour tout te dire, les anglais ont dà ©barquà ©. Bref, jai mes ragnagnas, jai des crampes et je nai quune envie : rester au lit!Sorry, I really dont feel like going on this hike. I dont feel very well... Well, to tell you everything, Aunt Flo called. In other words, Code Red, I have cramps and I just want one thing: stay in bed! French Vocabulary for Period Products Les protections hygià ©niques: sanitary protectionsUn tampon: a tamponAvec/sans applicateur: with/without applicatorUne serviette hygià ©nique: a sanitary pad / a pantylinerAvec ailettes: with wingsUne coupe menstruelle: a menstrual cupSaigner: to bleedUn saignement: a bleedingUne tà ¢che: a spot Cultural Note About Menstrual Pain As in many countries, speaking about ones period is not considered a proper conversation. French women seldom disclose to girlfriends that they are on their period or discuss their menstrual pains. We would just say that we are tired. Of course, everybody is different.