Level A2 (Upper Beginner)
Lesson written by French teacher David Issokson for students who want to learn French online, with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier, a voice artist from France.
The French Word of the Day is eau de toilette, meaning a lightly scented liquid used for daily grooming. Eau de toilette is a loanword in English, and it has caused confusion among my students for years. Does it really mean “toilet water”? Why the word “toilette”? And what’s the difference between eau de toilette and parfum (perfume)? I answer all of these questions in this lesson. Listen to Marie’s audio examples and everything will make sense!
✅ Meaning
✅ Pronunciation
✅ Example sentences
✅ Related Words & Expressions
✅ Related lessons
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📘 Eau de toilette meaning
In French, eau de toilette (f.) is a lightly scented liquid used for freshening up — essentially a light perfume for daily use. Eau means “water,” and toilette refers to grooming — faire sa toilette (to wash up/get ready). Eau de toilette is a loanword in English, and many English speakers mistakenly think it means “toilet water.” In French, however, it simply refers to a fresh, wearable scent used in everyday life.
🌸 Strength levels in fragrances
In French, fragrances are classified by concentration. Eau de toilette sits right in the middle — noticeable, pleasant, and ideal for daily use.
- parfum
- eau de parfum
- eau de toilette
- eau de cologne
- eau fraîche
🎧 Eau de toilette pronunciation
The pronunciation of eau de toilette is /o də twa.lɛt/, which sounds roughly like “oh duh twah-LET.”
📝 Eau de toilette examples & usages
Émilie aime porter une eau de toilette légère.
Émilie likes to wear a light eau de toilette.
Une eau de toilette est plus légère qu’un parfum.
An eau de toilette is lighter than a perfume.
Sophie adore les eaux de toilette florales.
Sophie loves floral eau de toilettes.
Cette eau de toilette est un peu trop forte pour moi.
This eau de toilette is a bit too strong for me.
Many students get confused because the word eau (water) is feminine in French.
That’s why we say eau froide (cold water) and eau chaude (hot water). This lesson explains eau in detail:
👉 Eau — meaning, pronunciation, examples »
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🔗 Related words and expressions
- le parfum — perfume
- l’eau de parfum — stronger, longer-lasting perfume
- l’eau de cologne — cologne, light fragrance
- la brume corporelle — body mist / body spray
- la senteur — scent, fragrance
- l’odeur — smell, scent
- faire sa toilette — to wash up / to get ready
- la toilette — washing up / personal grooming
📚 Related lessons on FrenchLearner!
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