sour
Les bonbons de citron ont un goût aigre.
The lemon candy has a sour taste.
Also, note that aigre-doux means sweet and sour.
TIP: An easy way to remember this word lies in remembering the part it plays in the word vinaigre, the French word for vinegar. If you break down vinaigre (vin + aigre), you’ll see that it is quite literally sour wine.
to boil
L’eau bout à 100° C.
Water boils at 100° C.
Il faut faire bouillir la sauce.
It’s necessary to bring the sauce to a boil.
to have a snack
Cassons la croûte avant de nous coucher.
Let’s have a snack before going to bed.
to dice
Coupez l’oignon en dés et ajoutez-le au saladier.
Dice the onion and add it to the bowl.
THIS WEEK
We go back to one of our favorite places — la cuisine, or the kitchen — to explore words you might encounter in recipes.
THE LATEST WEEKLY QUIZ FOR OUR MEMBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz covering the past week’s words by clicking here.
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to uncork
Il y a beaucoup à faire avant le jour lorsqu’on peut déboucher la bouteille.
There’s a lot to do before the day when we can uncork the bottle.
THIS WEEK
Wine and winemaking is an inextricable part of the French culture. With this year’s harvest season upon us, this week is a perfect time to discover the vocabulary of the vineyards.
THE LATEST QUIZ IS READY FOR OUR VOILÀ! SUBSCRIBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.
For a sneak peek of Voilà!, click here. You’ll find ways to practice verbs, review our daily vocabulary words, search our word archives by category and more.
READY TO JOIN? SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
to season
Épicez la viande à votre goût et faites cuire sur le barbecue.
Season the meat to your taste and cook it on the grill.
THIS WEEK
Our topic is the summer kitchen — la cuisine d’été.
VOILÀ SUBSCRIBERS, TAKE THIS WEEK’S QUIZ
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to peel
Épluchez les légumes, puis salez-les.
Peel the vegetables, then salt them.
TODAY
Our topic is the kitchen — la cuisine. After you’ve learned to say say to peel in French, follow the links below for more French words about kitchen activities:
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test yourself on today’s word and others like it with this quiz.
NEED HELP WITH VERBS LIKE ÉPLUCHER?
Check out our Quick Verb Guide Page on -er Verbs.
to cook
Leur mère fait la cuisine chaque soir pour la famille.
Their mother does cooks every evening for the family.
TODAY
Our topic is the kitchen and cooking. Discover the French words for these other essential kitchen vocabulary words:
to soak
Faites tremper les haricots pendant la nuit.
Soak the beans overnight.
AUJOURD’HUI Today
We go back to one of our favorite places — la cuisine, or the kitchen — to reveal a French phrase you might encounter in recipes.
to have a barbecue
On fait un barbecue pour la fête.
We’re having a barbecue for the holiday.
TODAY
Our word is inspired by the kitchen and cooking. Discover more words about Food and Drink here.
QUIZ LINK
Test yourself on today’s word and others about the kitchen here.
to make the mouth water
Au bar, ils prennent un verre de vin et les arômes de la cuisine font venir l’eau à la bouche de chacun.
At the bar, they have a glass of wine and the aromas of the food make everyone’s mouth water.
THIS WEEK
When you visit France as a native English speaker, everyday interactions that you take for granted at home can suddenly feel like a lot of work. But they also can be very rewarding. This week, we’re going to look at one such common interaction — walking into a café or restaurant and knowing what to say and learning to recognize some of the responses. We’ll actually build a conversation throughout the week to help you learn key words and phrases.
WITH MEMBERSHIP, LIFE’S A LITTLE MORE FRENCH!
fresh
Elle veut faire une ratatouille avec des tomates fraîches.
She wants to make a ratatouille with fresh tomatoes.
THIS WEEK
Our topic is the summer kitchen — la cuisine d’été.
VOILÀ SUBSCRIBERS, TAKE THIS WEEK’S QUIZ
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.
NOT A MEMBER OF VOILÀ YET? SIGN UP TODAY!
Don’t miss out on weekly Quizzes that help you review our daily words and other features we’ve reserved for just for members of Voilà.
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n.f., the check
Pourriez-vous apporter l’addition, s’il vous plaît?
Could you bring the check, please?
Today, we’re exploring one of our favorite topics — on the menu
n.f., the eggplant
L’aubergine frite est une entrée populaire en été.
Fried eggplant is a popular appetizer in summer.
TODAY
Our vocabulary word is inspired by the summer harvest, la récolte d’été.
Click here to discover more French summer vocabulary words.
PRACTICE THE WORDS OF THE SUMMER HARVEST
Take our Summer Harvest Vocabulary Quiz to practice saying eggplant in French and more.
the menu
Pourrions-nous voir la carte, s’il vous plaît?
Could we see the menu, please?
Today, we’re exploring one of our favorite topics — on the menu! To see other words we’ve posted about the menu, visit us at www.frenchfanatic.com.
the eggshell
Claquez doucement la coquille d’œuf pour la faire plus facile à écaler.
Tap the eggshell gently to make it easier to peel.
THIS WEEK
With Easter approaching, we thought it would be fun to explore the vocabulary of one of the staples of French cuisine — the egg, l’œuf. Stay with us throughout the week to learn how to ask for one the way you like it and what to do with it!
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turkey
Aujourd’hui, c’est le jour pour manger de la dinde aux États-Unis.
Today is the day for eating turkey in the United States.
In honor of Thanksgiving, we’re exploring essential words related to what’s on the dinner table this week. To see other vocabulary about this week’s subject, visit us at www.frenchfanatic.com.
flour
La farine est l’ingrédient essentiel dans tous les pains de France.
Flour is the essential ingredient in all the breads of France.
TODAY
Our word is inspired by the breads of France — les pains de France. Bread plays such an important role in French cuisine and indeed the life of the French that it’s essential to learn to ask for the loaf you want. Follow the links below to discover the words for many types of bread and other related French vocabulary words:
DON’T JUST LOAF AROUND!
Take our French Bread Vocabulary Quiz to find out if you’re ready to visit the boulangerie (bread bakery).
yeast
Pour faire lever le pain, il faut ajouter la levure.
In order to make bread rise, you have to add yeast.
TODAY
Our word is inspired by bread-making and the breads of France — les pains de France. It’s one of several words in this category that we hope will leave you well-armed to visit a boulangerie or supermarché and buy a loaf that reveals all the simple pleasures of French life.
QUIZ LINK
Test yourself on today’s word and others about bread and bread-making here.
junk food
Ne mangez pas la malbouffe, si vous vous inquiétez de votre santé.
Don’t eat junk food, if you’re worried about your health.
the harvest
Il y a plusieurs récoltes en automne.
There are several harvests in autumn.
the summer crop or harvest
Les fermiers attendent la récolte d’été pour qu’ils puissent vendre leurs légumes.
The farmers are waiting for the summer crop so they can sell their vegetables.
TODAY
Our word is inspired by the vegetables of the harvest. After you’ve learned to say summer harvest in French, follow the links below to discover more French words for foods from the garden.
GARDENING IN FRENCH
Take our French Summer Harvest Vocabulary Quiz to find out how well you know your way around the garden.
sap
La sève est utilisée pour produire le sirop d’érable.
Sap is used to produce maple syrup.
THIS WEEK
We’re covering words that come to mind when we think of fall.
FOR OUR VOILÀ! MEMBERS
Review last week’s words by taking our weekly quiz.
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wine harvest
Normalement, on fait les vendanges en septembre et octobre en France.
Normally, the wine harvest is done in September and October in France.
THIS WEEK
Wine and winemaking is an inextricable part of the French culture. With this year’s harvest season upon us, this week is a perfect time to discover the vocabulary of the vineyards.
THE LATEST QUIZ IS READY FOR OUR VOILÀ! SUBSCRIBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.
For a sneak peek of Voilà!, click here. You’ll find ways to practice verbs, review our daily vocabulary words, search our word archives by category and more.
READY TO JOIN? SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
the cork
On a besoin d’un tire-bouchon pour retirer le bouchon.
You need a corkscrew to remove the cork.
TODAY
Our word is inspired by the French love of wine and winemaking.
TAKE OUR QUIZ
Test your knowledge of French words about wine with this quiz.
hot chocolate
Réchauffez-vous avec du chocolat chaud.
Warm up with some hot chocolate.
THIS WEEK
We’re covering words that come to mind when we think of fall.
FOR OUR VOILÀ! MEMBERS
Review last week’s words by taking our weekly quiz.
SUBSCRIBE TO VOILÀ! Only 3.95 a month, secure via PayPal!
corn
Le maïs est le mieux quand vous l’épluchez juste après la récolte.
Corn is best when you shuck (peel) it just after picking it.
ALSO
les épis de maïs = corn on the cob
THIS WEEK
The arrival of summer is a time of delicious vegetables. This week, we’ll cover French vocabulary about the summer harvest, la récolte d’été.
FOR OUR VOILÀ! MEMBERS
Review last week’s words by taking our weekly quiz.
popcorn
Aimez-vous préparer lemaïs éclaté avec du beurre?
Do you like to make popcorn with butter?
the farmers’ market
Cherchez des produits frais du terroir au marché de producteurs.
Look for fresh local products at the farmers’ market.
set menu
Le menu à prix fixe est souvent moins cher que la carte.
The set menu is often less expensive than the à la carte menu.
TODAY
Our word is about one of our favorite topics — the menu!
spice bread or gingerbread
Le pain d’épice classique contient du miel, de la cannelle et du gingembre.
Classic spice cake contains honey, cinnamon and ginger.
EN SAVOIR PLUS!
You might enjoy looking at this recipe for this classic French loaf. While pain d’épice is sometimes translated as gingerbread and is similar, it is actually a different, quintessentially French recipe with a taste all its own.
THIS WEEK
With summer most decidedly fading into the distance for most of us, we’re thinking about the tastes of fall — les goûts d’automne.
VOILÀ! LE NOUVEAU QUIZ
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.
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country bread
Le pain de campagne est un pain rustique avec une croûte dure.
Country bread is a rustic bread with a hard crust.
TODAY
Our word is one of the many the breads of France — les pains de France. Bread plays such an important role in French cuisine and indeed the life of the French that it’s essential to learn to ask for the loaf you want.
sandwich bread
Le pain de mie est le plus comme le pain américain et se trouve aux supermarchés. Ce pain est vendu prédécoupé en tranches.
Sandwich bread is the most like American bread and is found in supermarkets. This bread is sold pre-sliced.
EN SAVOIR PLUS! Learn More
The word mie refers to the soft interior of the bread. Read a bit more about pain de mie in French on Wikipedia.
THIS WEEK
Our topic is the breads of France — les pains de France. Bread plays such an important role in French cuisine and indeed the life of the French that it’s essential to learn to ask for the loaf you want. This week, we’re taking a look at some of the various loaves you’ll discover in the boulangeries of France, as well as a few words essential to understanding a French bread recipe.
French toast
Nous faisons le pain perdu pour le petit déjeuner.
We make French toast for breakfast.
parsley
Je prépare des crevettes sautées au persil pour la fête des Mères.
I’m preparing shrimp sauteed with parsley for Mother’s Day.
THIS WEEK
We’ve been covering a random selection of words that we think are interesting and help make anyone’s French vocabulary a little richer and more interesting.
DON’T FORGET TO TAKE THIS WEEK’S QUIZ!
How well did you learn last week’s words? Take our Weekly Quiz to find out!
TODAY’S WORD BROUGHT TO YOU BY YABLA.
Yabla French Video Immersion.
The fun way to learn French
the main course
Avez-vous choisi un plat principal?
Have you chosen a main course?
Vidéo. The below video is a good example of a dialog that might take place in a restaurant. Listen to the French while following along with the written dialog. If you’ve received this in an e-mail and have difficulty playing it, you can find the link on our site at www.frenchfanatic.com.
This week, we’re exploring one of our favorite topics — on the menu. Bon appetit! To see other words we’ve posted about the menu this week, visit us at www.frenchfanatic.com.
maple syrup
Le sirop d’érable est produit au Québec de la sève des érables canadiens.
Maple syrup is produced in Quebec from the sap of Canadian maple trees.
DID YOU KNOW?
If you visit Quebec, you will find sirop d’érable available in practically every store that caters to tourists. It is one of the signature products of the region.
TODAY
With summer fading into the distance for many of us, we’re thinking about the tastes of fall — les goûts d’automne.
rosé wine
Le vin rosé est très populaire en Provence.
Rosé wine is very popular in Provence.
THIS WEEK
Our topic is the summer kitchen — la cuisine d’été.
VOILÀ SUBSCRIBERS, TAKE THIS WEEK’S QUIZ
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.
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red wine
Le vin rouge est le plus populaire, mais il y a d’autres types aussi:
Red wine is the most popular, but there are also other types:
DID YOU KNOW?
Le vin rosé is a very popular table wine in the South of France. In every café and restaurant, it seems, a carafe or bottle accompanies meals, especially in the warmer months of the year. French rosés tend to be dryer — less sweet — than the white zinfandels of the same color. And here’s a shocking secret: You might even see a Français enjoy a glass over ice. Don’t tell anyone!
THIS WEEK
After only having scratched the surface with vocabulary about the wine vineyards, or les vignobles, last week, we couldn’t resist spending a little more time on this topic this week to uncork some vocabulary about the wine itself.
THE LATEST QUIZ IS READY FOR OUR VOILÀ! SUBSCRIBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.
PRACTICE WHAT YOU’RE LEARNING AT FRENCH FANATIC!
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n.m.pl., green beans
Faut-il toujours casser les haricots verts avant de les faire cuire?
Is it always necessary to snap green beans before cooking them?
THIS WEEK
The arrival of summer is a time of delicious vegetables. This week, we’ll cover French vocabulary about the summer harvest, la récolte d’été.
FOR OUR VOILÀ! MEMBERS
Review last week’s words by taking our weekly quiz.
n.f.pl., herbs
Stéphane aime faire pousser ses propres herbes aromatiques en été.
Stéphane likes to grow his own herbs in summer.
THIS WEEK
Our topic is the summer kitchen — la cuisine d’été.
VOILÀ SUBSCRIBERS, TAKE THIS WEEK’S QUIZ
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.
NOT A MEMBER OF VOILÀ YET? SIGN UP TODAY!
Don’t miss out on weekly Quizzes that help you review our daily words and other features we’ve reserved for just for members of Voilà.
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scrambled eggs
On mange les oeufs brouillés pour le petit déjeuner.
We eat scrambled eggs for breakfast.
n.f., pasta
Leur père ont préparé les pâtes pour le dîner.
Their father made pasta for dinner.
to mix
Mélangez le sel et le poivre avec le vinaigre.
Mix the salt and pepper with vinegar.
to set the table
J’ai mis la table pour le dîner.
I set the table for dinner.
TIP: A similar phrase, se mettre à table, means to sit down at the table.
to simmer
Laissez-le mijoter pendant deux heures.
Let it simmer for two hours.
MORE
As a noun, un mijoté is a stew.
THIS WEEK
We go back to one of our favorite places — la cuisine, or the kitchen — to explore words you might encounter in recipes.
THE LATEST WEEKLY QUIZ FOR OUR MEMBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz covering the past week’s words by clicking here.
DON’T MISS OUT ON THE BENEFITS OF A VOILA! MEMBERSHIP
Join Voilà for only 3.95 per month to access online practice quizzes like our special 2010 Year in Review Quiz and our archives by subject.
Take our Visitors Preview to learn more.
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to knead
Pour faire le pain, il faut souvent pétrir la pâte.
In order to make break, you often have to knead the dough.
REGARDEZ UN VIDÉO!
Watch this bread recipe come together, tout en français! If you received this in our e-mail and are having difficulty viewing the video, click here.
THIS WEEK
Our topic is the breads of France — les pains de France. Bread plays such an important role in French cuisine and indeed the life of the French that it’s essential to learn to ask for the loaf you want. This week, we’re taking a look at some of the various loaves you’ll discover in the boulangeries of France, as well as a few words essential to understanding a French bread recipe.
THE LATEST QUIZ IS READY FOR OUR VOILÀ! SUBSCRIBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.
to bring to a boil
Portez à l’ébullition une marmite d’eau.
Bring a pot of water to a boil.
TODAY
We’re going back to one of our favorite places — la cuisine, or the kitchen — to explore words you might encounter in recipes.
satisfied, full (in the context of food)
Aimeriez-vous d’autre chose? Ah, non, je suis rassasié.
Would you like something else? Oh, no, I’m satisfied (I’ve had enough).
To stress the idea that you’re full — not just satisfied — you would say: J’ai trop mangé (I ate too much).
to sit
Je crois que nous aurons une table libre dans dix minutes.
–Merci. C’est possible de nous asseoir au bar pendant que nous attendons?
Bien sûr. Je vous amène. Suivez-moi.
I believe we’ll have a free table in ten minutes.
–Thank you. Is it possible to sit at the bar while we wait?
Of course. I’ll take you. Follow me.
THIS WEEK
When you visit France as a native English speaker, everyday interactions that you take for granted at home can suddenly feel like a lot of work. But they also can be very rewarding. This week, we’re going to look at one such common interaction — walking into a café or restaurant and knowing what to say and learning to recognize some of the responses. We’ll actually build a conversation throughout the week to help you learn key words and phrases.
WITH MEMBERSHIP, LIFE’S A LITTLE MORE FRENCH!
sugar-free
Elle cherche un boisson sans sucre.
She’s looking for a sugar-free drink.
to sprinkle
Saupoudrez la salade avec du sel et du poivre.
Sprinkle the salad with salt and pepper.
to seat someone
Mesdames, Messieurs, votre table est prête. On vous fait asseoir, si vous voulez.
Ladies, gentlemen, your table is ready. We’ll seat you now, if you like.
TODAY
When you visit France as a native English speaker, everyday interactions that you take for granted at home can suddenly feel like a lot of work. But they also can be very rewarding. Today’s example illustrates one such common interaction — walking into a café or restaurant and knowing what to say and learning to recognize some of the responses. The dialogue here was originally part of a weeklong exercise in which we built an entire conversation that you can see here.
MORE FRENCH RESTAURANT VOCABULARY
After you’ve learned to say to seat someone in French, follow the links below to discover more French words and phrases useful for a visit to a restaurant or café:
to suggest
Ils sont assis maintenant. (They’re seated now.)
Alors, Monsieur. Qu’est-ce que vous nous suggérez ce soir?
So, what do you suggest this evening.
ATTENTION!
While you may have learned that garçon is the French word for waiter, keep in mind that in this day and age it is not polite to address your server as garçon. Monsieur is more appropriate. You might also note that Monsieur is not translated in the above example. That’s because, in French, this form of address is used more freely than in English. Although it may sound formal, it’s less formal that its nearest equivalent, Sir, would be an English.
THIS WEEK
When you visit France as a native English speaker, everyday interactions that you take for granted at home can suddenly feel like a lot of work. But they also can be very rewarding. This week, we’re going to look at one such common interaction — walking into a café or restaurant and knowing what to say and learning to recognize some of the responses. We’ll actually build a conversation throughout the week to help you learn key words and phrases.
WITH MEMBERSHIP, LIFE’S A LITTLE MORE FRENCH!
to spread
Elle a tartiné de beurre une tranche de pain grillé.
She buttered (spread butter on) on a slice of toast.
THIS WEEK
We go back to one of our favorite places — la cuisine, or the kitchen — to explore words you might encounter in recipes.
THE LATEST WEEKLY QUIZ FOR OUR MEMBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz covering the past week’s words by clicking here.
DON’T MISS OUT ON THE BENEFITS OF A VOILA! MEMBERSHIP
Join Voilà for only 3.95 per month to access online practice quizzes like our special 2010 Year in Review Quiz and our archives by subject.
Take our Visitors Preview to learn more.
SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
a place setting
Il y aura dix couverts pour ton dîner d’anniversaire.
There will be ten place settings for your birthday dinner.
TODAY
Our word is among the essential French vocabulary words for the dinner table.
DISCOVER THESE OTHER DINNER TABLE WORDS
After you’ve learned to say place setting in French, build your dinner table vocabulary with these additional words.
a place setting, used to refer to the number of people in a party
Bonsoir, Messieurs, Dames.
— Bonsoir. On n’a pas réservé. Il fallait?
Non, pas du tout. Quatre couverts?
— Oui, exactement.
Good evening, gentlemen, ladies.
— Good evening. We didn’t make reservations. Were they necessary.
No, not at all. For four people (place settings)?
— Yes, exactly.
TODAY
We’re covering the vocabulary necessary to confidently walk into a restaurant or café. Here is a complete conversation featuring today’s word and others:
Bonsoir, Messieurs, Dames.
— Bonsoir. On n’a pas réservé. Il fallait?
Non, pas du tout. Quatre couverts?
— Oui, exactement. Avez-vous peut-être une table libre à la terrasse ?
Eh, non, malheureusement, la terrasse est complète. Il fait beau ce soir.
–Pas de problème. La salle, ça va.
Je crois que nous aurons une table libre dans dix minutes.
–Merci. C’est possible de nous asseoir au bar pendant que nous attendons?
Bien sûr. Je vous amène. Suivez-moi.
Au bar, ils prennent un verre de vin et les arômes de la cuisine font venir l’eau à la bouche de chacun.
Mesdames, Messieurs, votre table est prête. On vous fait asseoir, si vous voulez.
Ils sont assis maintenant.
–Alors, Monsieur. Qu’est-ce que vous nous suggérez ce soir?
Tous nos plats sont excellents. Mais si vous me permettez, je vous suggère notre entrée de moules pour commencer.Good evening, gentlemen, ladies.
— Good evening. We didn’t make reservations. Were they necessary.
No, not at all. For four people (place settings)?
— Yes, exactly. Do you have a free table on the terrace?
Uh, no, unfortunately the terrace is full. The weather’s beautiful tonight.
–No problem. The dining room is fine.
I believe we’ll have a free table in ten minutes.
–Thank you. Is it possible to sit at the bar while we wait?
Of course. I’ll take you. Follow me.
At the bar, they have a glass of wine and the aromas of the food make everyone’s mouth water.
Ladies, gentlemen, your table is ready. We’ll seat you now, if you like.
They’re seated now.
–So, what do you suggest this evening.
All of our plates are excellent. But if you’ll permit me, I suggest our mussels appetizer to you to start.
a half-liter of wine
Pourriez-vous apporter un demi de vin blanc?
Could you bring a half liter of white wine?
TRAVEL TIP
Today’s word illustrates a common and less expensive way to order wine when traveling in France. Your demi will most often arrive in une carafe or un pichet (a pitcher) and will likely be the house wine.
TODAY
Our word is inspired by the wine vineyards, or les vignobles, of France.
a waiter, a waitress
La serveuse a expliqué la carte.
The waitress explained the menu.
a root vegetable
On mange souvent les légumes-racines comme les carottes et panais en automne.
We often eat root vegetables like carrots and parsnips in the fall.
THIS WEEK
We’re thinking about the tastes of fall — les goûts d’automne.
OOPS!
Yesterday’s example incorrectly used a masculine definite article for la peau. La peau is feminine. View the complete corrected example here.
VOILÀ! LE NOUVEAU QUIZ
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.
PRACTICE WHAT YOU’RE LEARNING AT FRENCH FANATIC!
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a soft-boiled egg
Commandez un œuf à la coque quand vous voulez un jaune coulant.
Order a soft-boiled egg when you want a runny yolk.
THIS WEEK
With Easter approaching, we thought it would be fun to explore the vocabulary of one of the staples of French cuisine — the egg, l’œuf. Stay with us throughout the week to learn how to ask for one the way you like it and what to do with it!
TRACK YOUR LEARNING WITH OUR QUIZ!
How well did you learn last week’s words? Take our Weekly Quiz to find out!
TODAY’S WORD BROUGHT TO YOU BY YABLA.
Yabla French Video Immersion.
The fun way to learn French
a hard-boiled egg
Si vous voulez un œuf dur, vous voulez un œuf complètement cuit.
If you want a hard-boiled egg, you want a fully cooked egg.
TODAY
Our word is among the many ways to cook an egg.
QUIZ LINK
Test yourself on today’s word and others like it here.
a medium-soft-boiled egg
Faites cuire un œuf mollet pendant 6 minutes.
Cook a medium-soft boiled egg for 6 minutes.
NOTE
Un œuf mollet refers to an egg that is soft, but not as soft as un œuf à la coque, which has a very runny center.
THIS WEEK
With Easter approaching, we thought it would be fun to explore the vocabulary of one of the staples of French cuisine — the egg, l’œuf. Stay with us throughout the week to learn how to ask for one the way you like it and what to do with it!
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a fried egg
Si vous ne voulez pas faire bouillir les œufs, essayez un œuf sur le plat.
If you don’t want to boil the eggs, try a fried egg.
THIS WEEK
With Easter approaching, we thought it would be fun to explore the vocabulary of one of the staples of French cuisine — the egg, l’œuf. Stay with us throughout the week to learn how to ask for one the way you like it and what to do with it!
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Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter for more thoughts on all things French.
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a parsnip
Enlevez la peau des panais avant de les cuire.
Remove the skin from the parsnips before cooking them.
THIS WEEK
We’re thinking about the tastes of fall — les goûts d’automne.
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a tip (in a restaurant)
a roast
Un rôti de bœuf au romarin a le vrai goût d’hiver.
Roast beef with rosemary has the true taste of winter.
a corkscrew
a wine glass
Sophie voulait un verre de vin, mais elle n’avait pas de verre à vin.
Sophie wanted a glass of wine, but she didn’t have a wine glass.
REMARQUEZ LA DIFFÉRENCE!
At first glance, you might have thought today’s word was the same as yesterday’s. But on closer inspection, you’ll see how easy it is to change a phrase’s meaning. Un verre de vin is a glass of wine, while un verre à vin is a wine glass.
THIS WEEK
After only having scratched the surface with vocabulary about the wine vineyards, or les vignobles, last week, we couldn’t resist spending a little more time on this topic this week to uncork some vocabulary about the wine itself.
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a glass of wine
Richard a commandé un verre de vin.
Richard ordered a glass of wine.
THIS WEEK
After only having scratched the surface with vocabulary about the wine vineyards, or les vignobles, last week, we couldn’t resist spending a little more time on this topic this week to uncork some vocabulary about the wine itself.
THE LATEST QUIZ IS READY FOR OUR VOILÀ! SUBSCRIBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.
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winemaker
KNOW THE LANGUAGE OF THE VINEYARDS?
Test your French wine vocabulary with this quiz. Ready for even more? Take another one.
a plate
Les assiettes étaient complètement vides à la fin du repas.
The plates were completely empty at the end of the meal.
Today’s word helps us describe what’s on the dinner table. To see other vocabulary about today’s subject, visit us at www.frenchfanatic.com.
a candle
Quelquefois, j’aime allumer une bougie à la table.
Sometimes, I like to light a candle on the table.
This concludes this week’s exploration of vocabulary related to what’s on the dinner table. If you missed any of the week’s words, you can find them at our site at www.frenchfanatic.com.
a bakery
une pâtisserie: a bakery for cakes, pastries and other sweets
a round bread loaf
Une boule est un pain en forme ronde qu’on voit souvent dans les boulangeries.
A boule (ball) is a round-shaped bread that you often see in (bread) bakeries.
TODAY
Our vocabulary word is among the breads of France — les pains de France. Bread plays such an important role in French cuisine and indeed the life of the French that it’s essential to learn to ask for the loaf you want.
a bottle
Nous prenons une bouteille de vin rosé, s’il vous plaît.
We’ll have a bottle of rosé, please.
THIS WEEK
After only having scratched the surface with vocabulary about the wine vineyards, or les vignobles, last week, we couldn’t resist spending a little more time on this topic this week to uncork some vocabulary about the wine itself.
THE LATEST QUIZ IS READY FOR OUR VOILÀ! SUBSCRIBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.
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a Yule log (cake)
En France, les familles mangent souvent une bûche de Noël pendant la fête.
In France, families often eat a Yule log during the holiday.
En savoir plus. To learn more about this traditional cake, visit Wikipedia.
This week, we’re exploring words related to the holiday season.
TODAY’S WORD BROUGHT TO YOU BY YABLA.
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The fun way to learn French
a cherry
Les enfants ont mangé toutes les cerises que leur mère leur a données.
The children ate all the cherries that their mother gave them.
a pumpkin
En Amérique du Nord, on mange souvent de la tourte à la citrouille en automne.
In North America, people often eat pumpkin pie in fall.
This is the last in our series of this week’s words and phrases about autumn. To see the other words and phrases we’ve published this week, visit www.frenchfanatic.com.
a casserole (cooking vessel)
En cocotte often denotes a dish prepared in an individually sized ramekin.
Cocotte can also be a term of endearment similar to dear or sweetie in English.
a butternut squash
Jean et Marie font un potage à la courge musquée.
Jean and Marie are making a butternut squash soup.
TODAY
We’re thinking about the tastes of fall — les goûts d’automne.
MORE FALL FRENCH FOOD VOCABULARY
Discover the French words for these favorite fall foods:
TAKE THE QUIZ
Members, take our French Fall Foods Vocabulary Quiz to find out if you can say butternut squash in French and more.
a stew
Gardez-vous au chaud avec une daube provençale!
Keep warm with a Provencale beef stew!
DID YOU KNOW?
While une daube means a stew in general terms, it quite often refers specifically to a classic Provençale recipe of beef, red wine and vegetables.
QUIZ LINK
Test yourself on today’s word and others like it here.
a wine tasting
Partout dans la campagne, nous avons vu des panneaux pour des dégustations.
All over the countryside, we saw signs for wine tastings.
TRAVEL TIP
When you travel in the wine regions of France, you will see signs for dégustations quite frequently. When you spot these, you will know you’re at a place where wine wine can be sampled.
THIS WEEK
After only having scratched the surface with vocabulary about the wine vineyards, or les vignobles, last week, we couldn’t resist spending a little more time on this topic this week to uncork some vocabulary about the wine itself.
THE LATEST QUIZ IS READY FOR OUR VOILÀ! SUBSCRIBERS
Members of our Voilà service can go straight to this week’s quiz by clicking here.
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an appetizer or starter
Un repas au restaurant commence souvent avec une entrée.
A meal at a restaurant often begins with an appetizer.
TIP: This is a great word to learn, because it doesn’t mean the same thing in French as it does in English. In French, an entrée is the first course — the entry, if you will — into a meal. It is not the main course. Tomorrow, you’ll learn how to say “main course”.
This week, we’re exploring one of our favorite topics — on the menu! Food and drink is such an important part of French life that one week of words will note be enough time to do it justice. But we’ll start here for now! Bon appetit!
an appetizer, starter
Tous nos plats sont excellents. Mais si vous me permettez, je vous suggère notre entrée de moules pour commencer.
All of our plates are excellent. But if you’ll permit me, I suggest our mussels appetizer to you to start.
ATTENTION!
Take note that an entrée in French is an appetizer or starter — not a main course as it is in English! It is the entry to the meal, if you will.
TODAY
We’re covering the vocabulary necessary to confidently walk into a restaurant or café. Here is a complete conversation featuring today’s word and others:
Bonsoir, Messieurs, Dames.
— Bonsoir. On n’a pas réservé. Il fallait?
Non, pas du tout. Quatre couverts?
— Oui, exactement. Avez-vous peut-être une table libre à la terrasse ?
Eh, non, malheureusement, la terrasse est complète. Il fait beau ce soir.
–Pas de problème. La salle, ça va.
Je crois que nous aurons une table libre dans dix minutes.
–Merci. C’est possible de nous asseoir au bar pendant que nous attendons?
Bien sûr. Je vous amène. Suivez-moi.
Au bar, ils prennent un verre de vin et les arômes de la cuisine font venir l’eau à la bouche de chacun.
Mesdames, Messieurs, votre table est prête. On vous fait asseoir, si vous voulez.
Ils sont assis maintenant.
–Alors, Monsieur. Qu’est-ce que vous nous suggérez ce soir?
Tous nos plats sont excellents. Mais si vous me permettez, je vous suggère notre entrée de moules pour commencer.Good evening, gentlemen, ladies.
— Good evening. We didn’t make reservations. Were they necessary.
No, not at all. For four people (place settings)?
— Yes, exactly. Do you have a free table on the terrace?
Uh, no, unfortunately the terrace is full. The weather’s beautiful tonight.
–No problem. The dining room is fine.
I believe we’ll have a free table in ten minutes.
–Thank you. Is it possible to sit at the bar while we wait?
Of course. I’ll take you. Follow me.
At the bar, they have a glass of wine and the aromas of the food make everyone’s mouth water.
Ladies, gentlemen, your table is ready. We’ll seat you now, if you like.
They’re seated now.
–So, what do you suggest this evening.
All of our plates are excellent. But if you’ll permit me, I suggest our mussels appetizer to you to start.
a bay leaf
Mettez deux feuilles de laurier dans la sauce.
Put two bay leaves in the sauce.
TODAY
We’re back in one of our favorite places — la cuisine, or the kitchen — with a word you might encounter in a recipe.
a stick (of bread)
Une ficelle est comme une baguette, mais plus maigre.
A ficelle is like a baguette (traditional French loaf), but thinner.
VOICI UNE FICELLE
See what a ficelle looks like on Wikipedia. Literally, ficelle means string.
TODAY
Our word is one of the many breads of France — les pains de France. Bread plays such an important role in French cuisine and indeed the life of the French that it’s essential to learn to ask for the loaf you want.
QUIZ LINK
Test yourself on today’s word and others like it here.
a fork, a spoon and a knife
Assurez-vous qu’il y a une fourchette, une cuillère et un couteau.
Make sure there’s a fork, a spoon and a knife.
Today’s words are among those essential to the dinner table.
a clove of garlic
Ajoutez trois gousses d’ail hachées.
Add three cloves of chopped garlic.
THIS WEEK
We go back to one of our favorite places — la cuisine, or the kitchen — to explore words you might encounter in recipes.
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a recipe
Faire une tarte de citron est simple! Il suffit de suivre la recette.
Making a lemon tart is easy! Just follow the recipe.
THIS WEEK
Our topic is the summer kitchen — la cuisine d’été.
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a reservation
Faut-il faire une réservation pour ce restaurant?
Is it necessary to make a reservation for this restaurant?
a drought
Les fermiers doivent toujours s’inquiéter d’une sécheresse.
Farmers always have to worry about a drought.
THIS WEEK
The arrival of summer is a time of delicious vegetables. This week, we’ll cover French vocabulary about the summer harvest, la récolte d’été.
FOR OUR VOILÀ! MEMBERS
Review last week’s words by taking our weekly quiz.
a napkin
Nous nous sommes servis de nos meilleures serviettes pour nos invités.
We used our best napkins for our guests.
TIP: Une serviette also can mean a towel.
We’re exploring essential words related to what’s on the dinner table this week. To see other vocabulary about this week’s subject, visit us at www.frenchfanatic.com.
a free table
–Avez-vous peut-être une table libre à la terrasse ?
Eh, non, malheureusement, la terrasse est complète. Il fait beau ce soir.
–Pas de problème. La salle, ça va.
–Do you have a free table on the terrace?
Uh, no, unfortunately the terrace is full. The weather’s beautiful tonight.
–No problem. The dining room is fine.
TODAY
When you visit France as a native English speaker, everyday interactions that you take for granted at home can suddenly feel like a lot of work. But they also can be very rewarding. Today’s example illustrates one such common interaction — walking into a café or restaurant and knowing what to say and learning to recognize some of the responses. The dialogue here was originally part of a weeklong exercise in which we built an entire conversation that you can see here.
QUIZ LINK
Test yourself on today’s phrase and others like it here.
a tomato
En France, on se sert de tomates fraîches pour faire la ratatouille.
In France, they use fresh tomatoes to make ratatouille.
THIS WEEK
The arrival of summer is a time of delicious vegetables. This week, we’ll cover French vocabulary about the summer harvest, la récolte d’été.
FOR OUR VOILÀ! MEMBERS
Review last week’s words by taking our weekly quiz.