Languages › French French Food Vocabulary: 'La Nourriture' Share Flipboard Email Print Amanda Hall / robertharding / Getty Images French Vocabulary Pronunciation & Conversation Grammar Resources For Teachers By ThoughtCo Updated January 20, 2019 Whether you're traveling in Europe or just going out to a local French restaurant, food is one of the necessities of life. The French love la nourriture (literally, "the food"), and talking about it is one of the most common topics of French conversations. The Language of Food French food vocabulary terms are listed together with their English translations. Click on the links to bring up sound files that will allow you to hear the correct pronunciation of each word or phrase. Note that unlike in English, French food terms are generally preceded by an article such as le (the) or un (a). Where appropriate, the English translation of the term is preceded by an indication of the gender of the word, either female (f) or male (m). So, learn the terms and then Bon appétit! (Enjoy your meal!) General Terms la nourriture foodavoir faim to be hungrymanger to eatdéjeuner to have breakfast or lunchdîner to have dinner Meals le repas mealle petit-déjeuner breakfastle déjeuner lunchle dîner dinnerle goûter snack Dishes le hors d'œuvre, l'entrée appetizer *la soupe, le potage souple plat principal main coursela salade saladle dessert dessert * In American English, "entrée" refers to the main course, but in French, the term only indicates an appetizer. Places la cuisine kitchen, cookingla salle à manger dining roomle restaurant restaurant Miscellaneous Terms la confiture jamle croissant croissantla farine flourles frites friesl'huile d'olive (f) olive oilla mayonnaise mayonnaisela moutarde mustardun œuf, des œufs egg, eggsle pain breadle pain grillé toastles pâtes pastale poivre pepperle riz ricela sauce sauce, dressing, gravyle sel saltle sucre sugar Fruits le fruit fruitun abricot apricotun ananas pineappleune banane bananaune cerise cherryun citron lemonun citron vert limeune fraise strawberryune framboise raspberryune mûre blackberryune myrtille blueberryune orange orangeun pamplemousse grapefruitune pastèque watermelonune pêche peachune poire pearune pomme appleune prune plumun raisin grape Vegetables un légume vegetableun artichaut artichokeles asperges (f) asparagusune aubergine eggplantla carotte carrotle céleri celeryle champignon mushroomle chou-fleur cauliflowerle concombre cucumberles épinards (m) spinachun haricot beanla laitue lettuceun oignon onionle maïs cornles petits pois (m) peasla pomme de terre potatole radis radishla tomate tomato Meats la viande meatl'agneau (m) lambles anchois (m) anchoviesle bifteck steakla dinde turkeyles escargots (m) snailsle jambon hamle lapin rabbitle poisson fishle porc porkle poulet chickenle rosbif roast beefle saucisson sausagele veau veal Dairy le babeurre buttermilkle beurre butterla crème creamla crème fraîche very thick, slightly sour creamle fromage cheesele fromage blanc cream cheesela glace ice creamle lait milkle yaourt yogurt Desserts le dessert dessertle biscuit cookieles bonbons candyle chocolat chocolatela crème brûlée custard with burnt sugar toppingla crème caramel flanle fromage cheeseles fruits (m) fruitle gâteau cakela glace ice creamla mousse au chocolat chocolate moussela tarte piela vanille vanilla