une miche de pain
The English phrase "a loaf of bread" is translated into French as une miche de pain.
une miche de pain refers to a shaped mass of bread baked as a single unit. The term miche is typically used for larger, rounder or more traditional artisanal loaves rather than standard sliced sandwich bread.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of une miche, meaning a loaf or lump and de pain, meaning of bread.
Which one should you use?
While une miche de pain refers to a large, rustic or shaped loaf, une baguette refers specifically to the long, thin French bread stick.
Did you know?
- In some French regions, the word miche is used in slang to refer to a woman's backside, making its usage in certain casual contexts ambiguous.
- The French word pain for bread is a direct linguistic relative of the English word 'companion', which originally meant someone you share 'pain' with.
- While we use une miche de pain for a rustic loaf, the word miche once meant the exact opposite. It originally described a tiny crumb, a meaning that survives today in the word mie, which refers to the soft white center of the bread.
Examples in context
- J'ai fait une miche de pain.I baked a loaf of bread.This sentence is useful for expressing that you baked une miche de pain.Tatoeba #10714180 by lbdx, translation #8926029 by CK
- Elle a acheté une miche de pain.She bought a loaf of bread.This sentence is useful for expressing that she bought une miche de pain.Tatoeba #1112128 by Scott, translation #312016 by CK
- Bonjour! Je voudrais une miche de pain, s'il vous plaît.Hello! I would like a loaf of bread, please.
- Peux-tu me ramener un pain en rentrant?Can you bring me a loaf of bread on your way back?
- Je prendrais une baguette, s'il vous plaît.I'll have a baguette, please.
- Le boulanger prépare une miche de pain.The baker is preparing a loaf of bread.
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are in a bakery.
- ChloéHugo, regarde cette magnifique miche de pain !Hugo, look at this magnificent loaf of bread!
- HugoElle a l'air délicieuse, Chloé.It looks delicious, Chloé.
- ChloéEst-ce qu'on prend une miche de pain ?Should we take a loaf of bread?
- HugoOui, prenons-en une.Yes, let's take one.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, miche, pain, une, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
