“Donner mon sang” , ou “donner le sang”?

Cornelia H.B2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

“Donner mon sang” , ou “donner le sang”?

In the writing exercise, the author gives blood every Saturday. I used “je donne le sang”, but the only correct answer was “je donne mon sang”. I am used to thinking about always using the definite article for parts of the body. Why would this not apply in this situation?


Thank you!

Asked 3 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Cornelia, 

The answers given for -

 I give my blood 

is indeed 

Je donne mon sang 

or 

Je fais don de mon sang

You could at a pinch say -

Je donne du sang = I give ( some) blood

You could argue that blood is not a part of the body like an arm, an ear, or a leg and is not a definite quantity so unless you are talking about a particular quantity of blood that you have collected (not necessarily yours) as a nurse maybe, and you give it to someone else then 'le sang' would be ok.

Bonne Continuation!

 

 

Cornelia H.B2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Thank you very much. When you put it that way it makes perfect sense.

Brian E.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Just a note, we always say “I give/am giving/gave blood”. The “my” in “I gave my blood” is never used in English in my experience. 

“Donner mon sang” , ou “donner le sang”?

In the writing exercise, the author gives blood every Saturday. I used “je donne le sang”, but the only correct answer was “je donne mon sang”. I am used to thinking about always using the definite article for parts of the body. Why would this not apply in this situation?


Thank you!

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Let me take a look at that...