TERMIUM Plus®

The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.

TERMIUM Plus®, one of the largest terminology and linguistic data banks in the world, gives you access to millions of terms in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. You can find terms, abbreviations, definitions and usage examples in a wide range of specialized fields. The data bank is an essential tool for understanding an acronym, checking an official title, finding an equivalent in another language, and much more.

COVID-19

Does the term "COVID-19" refer to a virus or disease? And in French, is it masculine or feminine?

The World Health Organization announced "COVID-19" (short for "coronavirus disease 2019") as the official name of the disease caused by the virus called "SARS-CoV-2." In French, the term "COVID-19" is feminine because it takes its gender from the word "maladie," the French equivalent of "disease."

The Translation Bureau has prepared the Glossary on the COVID-19 pandemic to answer questions about terminology related to the new coronavirus and the disease. It is a living document that will be updated and improved on a regular basis.

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