How to Say Food in French: A Comprehensive Culinary Vocabulary Guide

Food is a universal language, and in France, it’s elevated to an art form. Whether you’re planning a trip to France, learning the language, or simply want to impress your friends with your culinary knowledge, knowing How To Say Food In French is essential. This guide will equip you with the vocabulary you need to navigate French cuisine like a pro.

Essential French Food Vocabulary

French gastronomy is renowned worldwide, and knowing the right words can significantly enhance your experience, from ordering in restaurants to discussing recipes.

Les Légumes – Vegetables

Whether you prefer them “crus” (raw) or “cuits” (cooked), knowing your vegetables in French is crucial. In restaurants, you might encounter an “assiette de crudités” (a plate with salad and raw vegetables). Some items, like tomatoes and cucumbers, are technically fruits but are classified as vegetables in French culinary terms.

Here are some common vegetables:

1. Une tomate – a tomato
2. Un radis – a radish
3. Un concombre – a cucumber
4. Un poivron (vert, rouge, orange ou jaune) – a (green, red, orange or yellow) pepper
5. Des haricots verts – green beans
6. Des épinards – spinach
7. Un champignon – a mushroom
8. Un chou-fleur – a cauliflower
9. Un oignon – an onion
10. Une pomme de terre – a potato
11. Un poireau – a leek
12. Une carotte – a carrot
13. Une courgette – a zucchini
14. Une aubergine – an eggplant
15. Une salade – a salad

Les Fruits – Fruits

Fruits are an essential part of a balanced diet, and knowing how to name them in French is just as important. Remember that fruit can be ” mûrs” (ripe) or “pas mûrs” / “verts” (unripe/green). And don’t forget the verb “éplucher” (to peel).

Here are some common fruits:

1. Une pomme – an apple
2. Une poire – a pear
3. Un abricot – an apricot
4. Du raisin – grapes
5. Un pamplemousse – a grapefruit
6. Une banane – a banana
7. Un citron – a lemon
8. Un ananas – a pineapple
9. Une fraise – a strawberry
10. Une framboise – a raspberry
11. Une cerise – a cherry
12. Une pêche – a peach
13. Une orange – an orange

Le Poisson – Fish

You’ll find “le poisson” on restaurant menus and in “poissonneries” (fish shops). Remember to pronounce the double “ss” as [s] and not [z], to avoid any confusion with “poison” (poison ≠ poisson).

Here are some common types of fish and seafood:

1. Le saumon – salmon
2. Le cabillaud – cod
3. Le thon (ignore « h » for pronunciation) – tuna
4. Les fruits de mer – seafood
5. Un crabe – crab
6. Une huître – oyster
7. Une crevette – shrimp
8. Une moule – mussel
9. Une coquille St-Jacques – scallop

La Viande – Meat

For meat lovers, France has specialized shops called “la boucherie” (butcher shop). These shops often sell “charcuterie” (sausages, hams, pâté). You might also find an “assiette de charcuterie” (charcuterie plate) on restaurant menus.

Here’s a breakdown of different meats:

• Le porc – pork

  1. Une côte de porc – a pork chop
  2. Du jambon – ham

• Le bœuf – beef

  3. Une bavette – flank steak
  4. Une entrecôte – rib steak

• Le veau – veal

  5. Un rôti – a roast

• L’agneau – lamb

  6. Une côtelette – a chop
  7. Un gigot – leg

• La volaille – poultry

  8. Un poulet – a chicken
  9. Un canard – a duck
  10. Une dinde – a turkey
  11. Une aile – a wing
  12. Une cuisse – a thigh

Les Produits Laitiers – Dairy Products

France boasts an impressive array of dairy products, most notably cheese.

• Les fromages – cheese

  With over 1,200 varieties in France, here are some popular choices:

  1. Le camembert
  2. Le brie
  3. Le fromage de chèvre – goat cheese
  4. Le comté
  5. Le bleu d’Auvergne

• La crèmerie – creamery

  1. Le lait – milk
  2. Le beurre – butter
  3. Le yaourt – yogurt
  4. La crème fraîche
  5. Un œuf – egg

If you see a “produit fermier” (farmhouse product), it’s generally of higher quality and more flavorful, whether it’s cheese or poultry.

Les Produits de Base – Basic Products

These are the staples you’ll find in any French kitchen:

1. La farine – flour
2. Le sucre – sugar
3. Les pâtes – pasta
4. Le riz – rice
5. Les légumes secs (lentilles, pois chiches…) – Pulses (lentils, chickpeas, etc.)
6. Une boîte de conserve – A tin can

More and more, the French are embracing “bio” (organic) products, with dedicated sections in supermarkets and specialized shops.

Les Condiments – Condiments

No meal is complete without the right condiments:

1. Le sel – salt
2. Le poivre – pepper
3. L’huile – oil
4. Le vinaigre – vinegar
5. La moutarde – mustard
6. La mayonnaise
7. Un cornichon – gherkin

Les Boissons – Drinks

To celebrate mastering this vocabulary, here are some common drinks:

1. Le champagne
2. Le vin (rouge, blanc, rosé) – wine (red, white, rosé)
3. La bière – beer
4. Le cidre – cider

• Les boissons sans alcool – non-alcoholic drinks

  1. L’eau (gazeuse ≠ plate) – water (sparkling ≠ still)
  2. Un jus de fruits : le jus d’orange, de pomme, de raisin… – juice (orange, apple, grapes…)
  3. Un café – a coffee
  4. Un thé – a tea
  5. Un chocolat chaud – a hot chocolate

Making the Vocabulary Your Own

Now it’s your turn to practice. Write these words in a notebook, use them in your next French lesson, or the next time you’re at a restaurant. Pay attention to the gender (masculine/feminine) of the nouns, and highlight the words you already know. Write sentences in context or practice with your French teacher. The best way to remember them is to use them!

Learning how to say food in French opens up a world of culinary experiences. By mastering this vocabulary, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate French cuisine and impress native speakers with your knowledge. Bon appétit!