bain

bath

noun BAN Less Common

Also means

bathtub

Usage Note

Bain refers to the act of bathing (prendre un bain = to take a bath) and to the bathtub itself (la baignoire is the more specific term for the tub). The plural bains appears in salle de bains (bathroom) and in place names such as Aix-les-Bains. Se mettre dans le bain idiomatically means to get into the swing of things.

Examples

"Je prends un bain chaud chaque soir."

Natural Translation

I take a hot bath every evening.

Literal Translation

I take a bath hot each evening

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

French Numbers 1 to 100: Count With Confidence

French numbers 1 to 100 in one complete chart, with pronunciation, the et-un rule, hyphens, and the four-twenties system explained so you can count anywhere.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

Faire in French: To Make, To Do, and More

Faire in French means more than make and do: master faire vs rendre, weather and sports idioms, the causative, and the mistakes English speakers make.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

Avoir or Être? Picking the Right Past-Tense Helper

Use avoir for the passé composé unless the verb is reflexive or one of ~16 DR MRS VANDERTRAMP motion verbs, which take être and force agreement.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

The Bonjour Rule: French Etiquette for Visitors

Always say bonjour before you ask, order, or pay in France — the unspoken rule that opens every door. A respectful visitor's guide to French etiquette.

June 4, 2026 6 min read