French Conversation · Level 29
89 words
French word
substance
Pronunciation
IPA/sypstɑ̃s/
Meaning
- feminine nounsubstance
Example
Cette substance est toxique.
This substance is toxic.
More examples
On a détecté la substance dans l'eau.
The substance was detected in the water.
Core concept
The physical material supporting an object's form, whether considered as a whole or as one of its components.
Common phrases
une substance chimique
a chemical substance
une substance toxique
a toxic substance
la substance active
the active ingredient
Similar words
matière: A material that makes up objects, such as fabric or metal.
produit: A manufactured item sold as merchandise or a chemical product.
Definition in French
Matière ou élément matériel dont une chose est composée, ayant des propriétés physiques ou chimiques.
Word origin
The Latin noun substantia passed into French as substance and developed from the idea of an underlying material or essential reality.
Usage tips
- For ordinary products or materials, French often uses matière or produit instead of substance, which has a more technical or formal tone.
Opposites
- apparenceappearancenoun
Related words
- substantielsubstantialadjective
- substantiellementsubstantiallyadverb