petits pains
The English phrase 'bread rolls' is translated into French as petits pains.
Petits pains refers to small individual loaves of bread. In a bakery context, petit pain is a generic term for various types of small rolls, though specific shapes often have their own names like pain au chocolat or brioche.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'small breads', where petits means 'small' and pains means 'breads'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the phrase is petit pain.
Did you know?
- In some French regions, a petit pain might be called a pistolet, a name derived from the shape of the roll resembling an old-fashioned pistol.
- A very thin and long roll might be called a ficelle, which translates literally to 'string'.
- The navette roll found in Provence takes its name from the French word for a small boat.
Examples in context
- Je voudrais une douzaine de pains au lait , s'il vous plaît.I would like a dozen bread rolls, please.
- As-tu acheté des petits pains à la boulangerie?Did you buy any bread rolls at the bakery?
- Je vais préparer quelques sandwiches avec ces petits pains .I'll make some sandwiches with these bread rolls.
- Je vais acheter des petits pains.I am going to buy some bread rolls.
- Il reste encore des petits pains sur la table.There are still some bread rolls left on the table.
- Est-ce que tu veux des petits pains pour le dîner ?Do you want some bread rolls for dinner?
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are in the kitchen preparing lunch.
- ChloéHugo, est-ce qu'on a des petits pains ?Hugo, do we have any bread rolls?
- HugoNon, il n'y en a plus.No, there are no more left.
- ChloéJe vais aller chercher des petits pains à la boulangerie.I am going to go get some bread rolls at the bakery.
- HugoD'accord, merci beaucoup !Okay, thank you very much!
