germe de soja
The English phrase "bean sprout" can be translated into French as germe de soja.
germe de soja specifically refers to a soybean sprout. In culinary contexts, you may also see the plural form pousses de soja used to refer to bean sprouts.
Meaning: a sprout of the mung bean (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase germe de soja literally translates to "soybean sprout".
Which one should you use?
germe de soja and pousses de soja specifically refer to soybean sprouts. For a more precise and formal way to say "mung bean sprouts", use pousses de haricot mungo.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use germe de soja to refer to all bean sprouts, but in French, this specifically refers to soybean sprouts rather than mung bean sprouts.
Did you know?
- The word germe is used in the French expression le germe d'une idée, meaning the 'seed' or 'beginning' of an idea.
- The term pousse comes from the verb pousser, which means both 'to grow' and 'to push'.
- The word germe is derived from the Latin word germen, which means 'bud' or 'offshoot'.
Examples in context
- Tu as ajouté des pousses de haricots dans cette soupe asiatique ?Did you add bean sprouts to this Asian soup?
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are preparing a meal together.
- EmmaHugo, est-ce qu'on a du germe de soja ?Hugo, do we have any bean sprouts?
- HugoOui, il y en a dans le frigo.Yes, there are some in the fridge.
- EmmaSuper, je vais en mettre dans mon bol.Great, I'm going to put some in my bowl.
- HugoC'est une bonne idée, Emma.That's a good idea, Emma.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, germe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
