French Conversation · Level 138
30 words
French word
calmant
Pronunciation
IPA/kalmɑ̃/
Meaning
- masculine nounsedative
Example
Elle a acheté un calmant à la pharmacie.
She bought a sedative at the pharmacy.
More examples
Il a pris un calmant après la visite chez le médecin.
He took a tranquilizer after the doctor's visit.
Core concept
A product that brings an intense physical or emotional state down to a more settled level.
Common phrases
prendre un calmant
take a tranquilizer
acheter un calmant
buy a tranquilizer
Similar words
tranquillisant: A medicine that reduces agitation and tension to promote calm.
anxiolytique: A medicine that relieves anxiety and eases mental tension.
somnifère: A medicine that promotes sleep and makes it easier to fall asleep.
Definition in French
Produit ou substance, parfois non pharmaceutique, servant à apaiser la douleur, l'anxiété ou l'agitation.
Word origin
Calmant comes from calmer through the productive -ant ending, which forms a word for an agent or means that calms.
Usage tips
- The final t in calmant is silent, and the ending is pronounced with the nasal vowel found in words such as enfant.