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French Phrase

Tu peux décrire la douleur ?

/ty pø de.kʁiʁ la du.lœʁ/
Meaning"Can you describe the pain?"
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Meaning

Literally, “Can you describe the pain?” It is a polite request for a detailed description of how a person feels pain, often used in medical or caregiving contexts.

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When to use

Use this sentence when a doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, or any caregiver needs more information about a patient’s symptoms. It’s appropriate in informal settings with people you know well; in formal or professional contexts you would switch to ‘vous’.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Tupeuxdécrireladouleur?

1

Pouvoir (peux)

‘Peux’ is the 2nd person singular present of the modal verb ‘pouvoir’, used to ask ability or permission.

2

Infinitive after modal

When ‘pouvoir’ is conjugated, it is followed by an infinitive verb (here ‘décrire’).

3

Definite article ‘la’

‘La’ specifies a particular pain; French nouns generally need an article unless used in a generic sense.

4

Accent on ‘décrire’

The acute accent on the first ‘e’ signals the pronunciation /e/ and distinguishes it from ‘decrire’ (incorrect).

🗨In Conversation

A

Tu peux décrire la douleur ?

Can you describe the pain?

Oui, c’est une sensation de brûlure dans le bas du dos, surtout quand je me penche.

Yes, it’s a burning sensation in my lower back, especially when I bend over.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Tu peut décrire la douleur ?

    ‘Peut’ is third‑person singular; with ‘tu’ you must use ‘peux’.

  • Tu peux decrire la douleur ?

    Missing the acute accent changes the spelling and pronunciation.

  • Tu peux décrire douleur ?

    Omitting the article ‘la’ sounds unnatural in this context.

↔Alternatives

  • Pouvez-vous décrire la douleur ?

    Can you describe the pain? (formal)

  • Comment décrirais‑tu la douleur ?

    How would you describe the pain?

  • Peux‑tu me dire où ça fait mal ?

    Can you tell me where it hurts?

fr

Cultural Tip

In French medical settings, using the formal ‘vous’ is the norm unless the practitioner explicitly invites the patient to use ‘tu’. Patients are also often asked to rate their pain on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable), so you might hear ‘Sur une échelle de 0 à 10, où situes‑tu la douleur ?’.