Beginners’ French: food and drink (2024)

FAQs

How do you talk about food and drink in French? ›

Using je voudrais + un/une + noun to order food

To order food, you can simply use the indefinite article un (masculine) or une (feminine) + the item. You would normally add s'il vous plaît ('please'), at the end of the sentence: Une soupe de poisson, s'il vous plaît. One fish soup, please.

French cuisine is characterized by its use of a wide range of ingredients, including meats, seafood, vegetables, and fruits. It's also known for its use of sauces, which are often made with butter, cream, and wine.

Bon appétit means enjoy your meal, literally 'good appetite'. Is it rude to say “Bon Appetit” in French? No, it is not. Actually, you will hear it very often, before lunch or dinner or as the meal is starting.

The only people you'll hear using “voudrais” these days are foreigners eager to put their high school/college/Duolingo French to good use. While you can say “Je m'appelle [your name]” when meeting someone, the more colloquial way to do it is simply to say “Moi, c'est [name]”.

A baguette (/bæˈɡɛt/; French: [baɡɛt]) is a long, thin type of bread of French origin that is commonly made from basic lean dough (the dough, not the shape, is defined by French law). It is distinguishable by its length and crisp crust. Baguette. Alternative names.

While Asian noodles are believed to have originated in China, pasta is believed to have independently originated in Italy and is a staple food of Italian cuisine, with evidence of Etruscans making pasta as early as 400 BCE in Italy.

What is France's signature dish? ›

Pot-au-Feu, France's National Dish | History Today.

An usual French lunch will include: an appetizer (une entrée), such as a mixed salad, soup, terrine or pâté; main course, (le plat principal), choice of beef, pork, chicken, or fish, with potatoes, rice, pasta and/or vegetables; cheese course (from a local selection) and/or a sweet.

A typical French breakfast consists of a croissant or bread with butter and jam and sometimes a sweet pastry. Fresh fruit juice and hot beverages, like coffee or tea, are also included.

"Victuals" is the correct word for food and drink; or you can use the old English form of the word "vittles". Drink or beverages alone are sometimes referred to as "libations". According to US Legal, aliments are food or drinks that can provide nourishment and support life.

La graille (**) Another old slang word for food. Just like its equivalent la bouffe, it can become a verb, grailler.