aliments courants
The English phrase "common foods" is translated into French as aliments courants.
The phrase refers to foods that are standard or everyday.
What does it mean word for word?
A literal breakdown of the phrase shows that aliments means "foods" or "nutriments", and courants means "current" or "common".
Which one should you use?
While courant can mean "current" (as in a current of water), when used in the context of food, it specifically refers to things that are common, standard or everyday.
Did you know?
- French has a specific word grignotage for the act of snacking on 'common foods' between meals, a habit that is culturally viewed differently than the structured three-meal system.
- The English word 'alimentary', used in medical terms like 'alimentary canal', is a direct cognate of the French alimentaire, which stems from the same root as aliments.
- In French, courant can describe things that are 'common' because they flow or circulate frequently, much like a water current. This is why the same word describes both a river stream and a standard practice.
Examples in context
- Je voudrais du poulet, s'il vous plaît.I would like some chicken, please.
- J'adore les gâteaux au chocolat !I love chocolate cakes!
- Tu veux un peu de pain avec ton fromage?Do you want some bread with your cheese?
- Les carottes râpées, c'est mon plat préféré !Grated carrots are my favorite dish!
- Le riz et les pâtes sont des aliments courants.Rice and pasta are common foods.
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are talking about grocery shopping.
- ManonQu'est-ce qu'on doit acheter aujourd'hui, Lucas ?What do we need to buy today, Lucas?
- LucasJuste quelques aliments courants comme du pain et du lait.Just some common foods like bread and milk.
- ManonEst-ce qu'on a encore des pommes ?Do we still have apples?
- LucasNon, ajoutons-les à la liste.No, let's add them to the list.
