charcuterie
charcuterie is the French word for cured meat that is ready to be eaten.
The word refers to cured meat products. In French, using the definite article la charcuterie can also refer to the specialized butcher shop that sells these meat products.
Meaning: cured meat, ready to be eaten (noun)
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'charcuterie' to describe a trendy wooden board of many different foods, a French person using the word expects only meat products.
- The word charcuterie is built from the Old French word char meaning 'flesh' and cuit meaning 'cooked'.
- The suffix -erie in charcuterie is used across French to denote a place of business, appearing in words like boulangerie for bread and pâtisserie for pastries.
Examples in context
- Je voudrais une assiette de charcuterie, s'il vous plaîtI would like a charcuterie platter, please
- J'ai préparé une superbe charcuterie pour l'apéro ce soirI've prepared an amazing charcuterie board for the apéro tonight
- Je vais acheter de la charcuterie au marché.I am going to buy some cured meat at the market.
- Il y a une belle charcuterie sur la table.There is a nice platter of cured meat on the table.
- Nous avons préparé une planche de charcuterie.We prepared a charcuterie board.
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are preparing a snack at home.
- LucasLéa, est-ce qu'il reste de la charcuterie ?Léa, is there any cured meat left?
- LéaOui, il en reste un peu dans le frigo.Yes, there is a little bit left in the fridge.
- LucasParfait, je vais préparer un petit encas.Perfect, I am going to prepare a little snack.
- LéaD'accord, apporte-m'en aussi un peu !Okay, bring me a little bit too!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries charcuterie, CC BY-SA 4.0.
