French word

soufre

Pronunciation

IPA/sufʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounsulfur

Example

Il y a du soufre dans cette eau thermale.

There is sulfur in this thermal water.

Illustration for soufre (sulfur)

More examples

Le jus contient du dioxyde de soufre.

The juice contains sulfur dioxide.

Core concept

A yellow elemental substance whose presence links volcanic landscapes, hot springs, and a distinctive smell.

Common phrases

  • dioxyde de soufre

    sulfur dioxide

  • allergie au soufre

    sulfur allergy

Similar words

odeur: A smell detected through the nose.
puanteur: A strong and unpleasant smell.
gaz: A shapeless substance that spreads to fill its container.
fumée: Fine particles and odor released into the air by burning material.

Definition in French

Corps élémentaire de couleur jaune, de symbole S, connu pour son odeur marquée et sa présence dans les zones volcaniques et certaines eaux thermales.

Word origin

Soufre is an inherited French form from Latin sulfur through Old French rather than a modern scientific coinage.

Usage tips

  • For the smell itself, French commonly uses ça sent le soufre, with le soufre as the noun after sentir.

Related words

  • sulfitesulfitenoun
  • sulfuriquesulfuricadjective

Word lists with this word