The most common way to say 'blood' in French is sang. But just like in English, there are many other words and expressions to talk about this vital fluid, from medical terms to slang and figurative language. Whether you're watching a French medical drama, reading a classic novel, or just want to sound more like a native speaker, knowing these different terms can be incredibly useful. Let's dive into nine different ways to say 'blood' in French and explore the nuances of each one!

1. The standard 'blood' – le sang

The most direct and common word for 'blood' in French is le sang. It is a masculine noun, so you will always use masculine articles and agreements with it, such as le sang (the blood) or mon sang (my blood). The final 'g' is silent.

Primarily, le sang refers to the red liquid that circulates in the body. This is the word used in any medical or biological context. Common phrases include une prise de sang (a blood test), un groupe sanguin (a blood type), and un don de sang (a blood donation).

Like in English, le sang is frequently used figuratively to talk about family, ancestry, and heritage. The expression les liens du sang means 'blood ties'. You might also hear of someone having le sang bleu ('blue blood') to indicate noble ancestry.

French is rich with idioms using le sang to describe emotions and personality. For instance, avoir le sang chaud means 'to be hot-blooded' or quick-tempered. The opposite, garder son sang-froid, means 'to keep one's cool' or 'to remain calm'.

You will encounter le sang in many other powerful expressions. Se faire un sang d'encre literally means 'to make oneself an ink blood' and is used to say you are 'worried sick'. Similarly, suer sang et eau ('to sweat blood and water') means to work extremely hard on something.

💡 * Le médecin a demandé une analyse de sang complète.

• Il a gardé son sang-froid pendant toute la crise.
• Pour elle, les liens du sang sont plus forts que tout.
• Je me suis fait un sang d'encre en t'attendant sous la pluie.
• Il a le sang chaud, il s'énerve très facilement.

The 'blood' as in lineage or family – le sang

The French word for “blood” is le sang. Just like in English, this word extends beyond its literal, biological meaning to describe family, lineage, and heritage. It evokes a deep, intrinsic connection rooted in ancestry.

Using le sang to talk about family carries a powerful and often poetic or dramatic connotation. It's not used for everyday references to relatives but rather to emphasize inherent traits, unbreakable bonds, or a shared heritage. Think of English phrases like “blood ties” or “it’s in his blood” to understand the context.

A very common and important phrase is les liens du sang, which directly translates to “the ties of blood.” This expression emphasizes the powerful, often unbreakable connection between family members.

Another essential idiom is avoir quelque chose dans le sang (to have something in one's blood). This is used to say that a talent, trait, or passion is natural and inherited, as if it were part of one's genetic makeup.

It's crucial to remember that le sang refers to the concept of lineage, not the people themselves. You would never say, “Je rends visite à mon sang” (I'm visiting my blood). For that, you would use ma famille (my family).

💡 * La passion pour l'art, c'est de famille, il a ça dans le sang.

• Pour elle, les liens du sang sont plus importants que tout.
• Il a défendu son frère car le sang parle toujours.
• Elle est fière de son sang italien.

The 'bloodshed' – l'effusion de sang

The French term for 'bloodshed' is l'effusion de sang. This is a formal and powerful expression used to describe widespread violence and killing, typically in the context of war, major conflicts, or historical tragedies.

Let's break it down literally. Effusion means an 'outpouring' or 'shedding,' and sang means 'blood.' Combined, l'effusion de sang directly translates to 'the shedding of blood,' creating a very strong and evocative image.

This is not a phrase you'll hear in casual, everyday conversation. Its use is reserved for serious and formal contexts like news reporting, historical analysis, political speeches, and literature. For example, a diplomat might speak of the need to éviter une effusion de sang (avoid an effusion of blood).

A key grammatical point is that the noun effusion is feminine. Therefore, it is always referred to as l'effusion or une effusion. Although it can be plural (des effusions), it is most often used in the singular to represent the general concept of bloodshed.

While l'effusion de sang is a somewhat abstract term for large-scale killing, other words like un massacre (a massacre) or un carnage (a carnage) often refer to a specific, brutal event. L'effusion de sang focuses more on the tragic outcome of violence itself.

💡 * Le traité visait à mettre fin à l'effusion de sang. (The treaty aimed to put an end to the bloodshed.)

• Les dirigeants mondiaux ont appelé à cesser immédiatement l'effusion de sang. (World leaders called for an immediate stop to the bloodshed.)
• Cette guerre civile a causé une terrible effusion de sang. (This civil war caused a terrible bloodshed.)
• L'histoire de cette révolution est marquée par l'effusion de sang. (The history of this revolution is marked by bloodshed.)

The 'blood type' – le groupe sanguin

The 'blood type' – le groupe sanguin

The term for 'blood type' in French is le groupe sanguin. This is a direct and formal translation, with groupe meaning 'group' and sanguin meaning 'of the blood' or 'blood-related'.

To ask someone their blood type, you would say, 'Quel est ton groupe sanguin ?' (What is your blood type?). To state your own, you can say, 'Mon groupe sanguin est...' followed by the type.

The blood types are referred to by letter, just like in English, followed by positif or négatif for the Rh factor. For example, A+ is A positif and O- is O négatif.

💡 * Quel est votre groupe sanguin ? (What is your blood type?)

• Mon groupe sanguin est B positif. (My blood type is B positive.)
• Je ne connais pas mon groupe sanguin. (I don't know my blood type.)
• Les personnes du groupe O négatif sont des donneurs universels. (People with O negative blood are universal donors.)

The 'blood relative' – le parent par le sang

The 'blood relative' – le parent par le sang.

This is not a single slang word but a descriptive phrase that literally translates to "the relative by blood." It is used to specify a biological family connection.

The primary use of le parent par le sang is to differentiate a biological relative from a relative by marriage (un parent par alliance) or an adoptive relative. It removes ambiguity when discussing family trees.

The term changes based on gender and number. The feminine form is la parente par le sang, and the plural is les parents par le sang. It's a precise, standard French expression, not informal slang.

You would use this phrase in more formal or specific conversations, such as legal discussions, medical history, or simply when clarity about a biological relationship is necessary.

💡 * Il n'est pas mon cousin par alliance, il est mon parent par le sang. (He is not my cousin by marriage, he is my blood relative.)

• La recherche de ses parents par le sang peut être un processus émotionnel. (Searching for one's biological relatives can be an emotional process.)
• La loi protège les droits des parents par le sang. (The law protects the rights of blood relatives.)

The 'in cold blood' – de sang-froid

The French expression for acting 'in cold blood' is de sang-froid.

Literally translating to 'of cold blood,' the phrase de sang-froid perfectly captures the English idiom. It describes an action performed with calm, deliberate cruelty and a complete lack of emotion.

This expression is most commonly found in discussions of crime and violence. When someone acts de sang-froid, it implies their actions were premeditated and carried out without passion, remorse, or hesitation. It highlights the chillingly calculated nature of the deed.

Interestingly, the noun sang-froid by itself can also mean 'composure' or 'level-headedness.' The expression garder son sang-froid means 'to keep one's cool' or 'to remain calm under pressure.' So, while acting de sang-froid is negative, having sang-froid in a crisis is a highly valued positive trait.

💡 * Le criminel a abattu le témoin de sang-froid. (The criminal shot the witness in cold blood.)

• Face à l'urgence, la chirurgienne a gardé son sang-froid et a sauvé le patient. (Facing the emergency, the surgeon kept her cool and saved the patient.)
• Il a menti au juge avec un sang-froid déconcertant. (He lied to the judge with disconcerting composure.)
• L'assassin a agi de sang-froid, ne laissant aucune trace. (The assassin acted in cold blood, leaving no trace.)

The 'bad blood' (as in worry) – le mauvais sang

The French idiom se faire du mauvais sang literally translates to 'to make bad blood for oneself.' However, its actual meaning has nothing to do with blood and everything to do with anxiety.

This expression is a common way to say 'to worry,' 'to fret,' or 'to get worked up.' It's a reflexive verb phrase, so the pronoun changes depending on who is worrying. For example, je me fais du mauvais sang means 'I am worrying.'

Using se faire du mauvais sang implies a deep, stressful level of worry that feels almost physically draining. It's more intense than simply saying s'inquiéter (to worry) and captures the negative toll that anxiety can take on a person.

💡 * Arrête de te faire du mauvais sang pour ton examen, tu as bien révisé. (Stop worrying about your exam, you studied well.)

• Ma mère se fait toujours du mauvais sang quand je ne réponds pas au téléphone. (My mother always worries sick when I don't answer the phone.)
• Il ne sert à rien de se faire du mauvais sang pour des choses qu'on ne peut pas changer. (There's no point in getting worked up over things you can't change.)

The 'flesh and blood' – la chair et le sang

The French expression la chair et le sang literally translates to "the flesh and blood." This powerful phrase is used to describe a deep, almost biological connection with someone, emphasizing a profound bond.

While it can refer to actual family, it's often used metaphorically to describe a friend who is so close they are considered family. This term signifies an unbreakable, profound bond that transcends typical friendship.

Calling a friend la chair et le sang is a very strong and emotional statement. It implies a level of loyalty and connection that is absolute and unconditional, much like one would have for a direct relative.

This expression is not used casually. It is reserved for those truly exceptional, once-in-a-lifetime friendships that feel as strong and permanent as family ties. It's less common in everyday chat than other terms for friends.

💡 * Pour moi, il n'est pas juste un ami, il est la chair et le sang.

• Entre nous, c'est plus que de l'amitié, c'est la chair et le sang.
• Je ferais n'importe quoi pour elle ; elle est la chair et le sang.

1. The 'blood sausage' – le boudin noir

A staple of traditional French cuisine, especially charcuterie, is le boudin noir. The most direct translation is 'black pudding,' but it's widely known in the English-speaking world as blood sausage. It is a rich, savory sausage made primarily from pork blood, fat, and seasonings, which give it its characteristic dark, almost black, color.

In France, le boudin noir is considered a rustic and authentic dish, often enjoyed during colder months. It's a classic bistro and brasserie item, frequently found in local markets and boucheries (butcher shops). Its preparation is tied to the French tradition of tuer-cochon (the slaughter of the pig), a rural practice where no part of the animal goes to waste.

The most classic way to serve le boudin noir is pan-fried with caramelized or sautéed apples. This dish, known as boudin noir aux pommes, balances the sausage's earthy richness with the sweet and tart flavor of the fruit. It is also commonly served alongside creamy mashed potatoes (purée de pommes de terre).

There's a popular French idiom that features this food: "tourner en eau de boudin". It literally means 'to turn into sausage water' and is used to describe a situation or project that starts well but ends up failing or fizzling out completely.

💡 * Le plat préféré de mon grand-père est le boudin noir aux pommes.

• Avez-vous déjà goûté le boudin noir ? C'est délicieux quand c'est bien préparé.
• Au marché, j'ai acheté un excellent boudin noir artisanal.
• Malheureusement, leur projet ambitieux a tourné en eau de boudin.

Are there other ways to say 'blood' in French?

Are there other ways to say “blood” in French?

Our guide has covered the most essential ways to say “blood” in French, primarily focusing on the word le sang. However, French, like any language, has a rich vocabulary with more specific, idiomatic, or even slang terms that you might encounter in different contexts.

For more specific contexts, you can try an online search for terms like “termes médicaux pour le sang” (medical terms for blood) or “argot pour le sang en français” (slang for blood in French).

When you find a new synonym or related term for sang, it's crucial to check its definition and see it used in context. A word might be specific to a medical field, be considered old-fashioned, or have strong figurative connotations.

As you read French literature, watch French films (especially thrillers or medical dramas!), and listen to native speakers, pay close attention. You'll start to notice the different ways the concept of 'blood' is expressed, from family ties (liens du sang) to intense emotion.

If you want to explore related vocabulary, such as different types of blood cells or expressions involving blood, the WordReference entry for sang is an excellent starting point for your research.

I hope this guide has been useful in your French learning journey. To conclude, here’s a classic French proverb that captures the deep cultural connection to the word: Bon sang ne saurait mentir. (Literally, 'Good blood cannot lie,' meaning that one's true nature or noble character will always show through.)