viens manger
The English phrase 'come and eat' can be translated into French as viens manger.
This phrase is an invitation used to tell someone that a meal is ready and they should join in.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase consists of the imperative viens (come) and the infinitive manger (to eat), which functions as 'come to eat' in English.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form viens manger uses the imperative of the verb 'venir' (to come) and is used for a single person you know well. Use the form venez manger instead of viens manger when addressing more than one person or when using the polite 'vous' form.
When do people say it?
While viens manger is a direct invitation, a more common way to call people to a meal in a household is to shout À table ! (To the table!).
Did you know?
- If you are invited to manger at a French home, it is customary to wait for the host to say Bon appétit before you start eating, regardless of how quickly you sat down.
- The verb manger can be used colloquially to describe something that consumes a lot of resources, such as a car that mange a lot of petrol.
- The verb manger shares an unexpected ancestor with the English word 'masticate', both originating from the Latin 'manducare' meaning 'to chew'.
Examples in context
- Viens manger, c'est chaud !Come and eat, it's hot!
- Viens manger maintenant, s'il te plaît.Come and eat now, please.
- Viens manger, le dîner est servi.Come and eat, dinner is served.
Example conversation
Chloé calls Gabriel to the dining table.
- ChloéGabriel, viens manger !Gabriel, come and eat!
- GabrielJ'arrive tout de suite.I'm coming right now.
- ChloéDépêche-toi, c'est prêt.Hurry up, it's ready.
- GabrielÇa sent très bon.It smells very good.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries manger, CC BY-SA 4.0.
