Did you know that some of the words used by French speakers in everyday life were originally brand names?
Many French speakers don’t even know it. Some brands have managed to make their way into the vocabulary of everyday French life by being popular, and brands have come to designate the object or service itself.
Here are 14 of theses brands used as French words in everyday life, along with a short description of their origin and a French alternative.
1. Frigidaire
Frigidaire is a brand of household appliances, best known for its refrigerators. The term is often used to designate a refrigerator, whatever the brand. You also hear “le frigo”, which is the word most often used in spoken language.
Alternative: réfrigérateur. Very little used and particularly difficult to pronounce for native non-French speakers.
2. Kleenex
Kleenex is a brand of tissues. The name is frequently used to designate any disposable tissue.
Alternative: mouchoir or mouchoir en papier.
3. Bic
The world’s most famous pen brand. In France, we often ask for a “Bic” rather than a pen.
Alternative: stylo ou stylo à bille.
4. Caddie
Brand name for supermarket carts. The term is commonly used to designate shopping carts.
Alternative: chariot
5. Scotch
Brand of adhesive tape on a roll. In France, “du scotch” refers to any adhesive tape. In Belgium, we also say “papier collant”.
Alternative: papier adhésif. Very little used
6. Post-it
3M’s brand of self-adhesive notes has become so generic that there’s no good alternative for the word. Everyone in France uses the word “post-it” in their daily lives.
In fact, if you want to memorize French expressions or vocabulary, here’s a little tip: write the words on post-its and stick them in visible places around your home. The more you see them, the more you’ll memorize them.
Alternative: aucune
7. Tipp-Ex
Tipp-Ex is a brand of liquid corrector. The word is often used to refer to a corrector, whether in strip or liquid form.
Alternative: correcteur
8. Sopalin
Sopalin is a brand of paper towel. The word is frequently used to designate paper towels, whatever the brand.
Alternative: essuie-tout
9. Vaseline
This ointment, sold in pharmacies, was originally branded as a petroleum jelly. Today, the term is generally used to describe any similar product.
Alternative: pommade pour le corps
10. Thermos
This brand of insulated bottle keeps liquids hot or cold. The word is commonly used to refer to an insulated bottle. The “s” in “Thermos” is pronounced.
Alternative: aucune
11. Baby-foot
Baby-football is a term derived from the “Baby” brand, which produced these game tables.
Alternative: jeu de simulation de football (rare)
12. Nutella
Nutella is a brand of chocolate and hazelnut spread that the French love.
Its name is so popular that many use it to refer to any spread. And did you know that France is the world’s biggest consumer of Nutella, accounting for 26% of global production? The brand has made a name for itself with crêpes.
Alternative: pâte à tartiner
13. Moulinex
This is a former major French household appliance brand. Some older people may still use this term to refer to a blender or food processor.
Alternative: mixeur, centrifugeuse ou robot ménager.
14. Kärcher
Kärcher is a brand of high-pressure cleaning equipment. Sometimes used in France to designate a high-pressure cleaner of any brand.
Alternative: nettoyage à eau à très haute pression
Which of these brands used as French words did you know?
Disclaimer: I’m offering you an alternative, and this doesn’t mean that the alternative is better than the brand name. Quite the contrary, in fact. Some purists insist on avoiding brand names or anglicisms. I beg to differ. In my opinion, the most important thing when learning French is to get close to the spoken language, i.e. the language spoken by French speakers in everyday life.