How to Say "Cornstarch" in French

fécule de maïs

The English phrase "cornstarch" is translated into French as fécule de maïs.

fécule de maïs refers to very fine starch powder.

Meaning: very fine starch powder (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of fécule (starch) and de maïs (of corn).

In French cooking, it is very common for people to use the brand name Maïzena as a colloquial way to mean any cornstarch.

The term fécule shares a root with the Latin faex, which refers to the lees or sediment at the bottom of a wine barrel.
In French, fécule refers specifically to starch extracted from tubers or seeds, whereas amidon is the more general chemical term for starch.
If a French recipe asks for fécule, but doesn't specify de maïs, it might actually refer to potato starch (fécule de pomme de terre).

Fouetter le sucre et la fécule de maïs dans un bol. Réserver.
Whisk sugar and cornstarch in a bowl. Set aside.
This sentence is useful for practicing the use of fécule de maïs in a recipe instruction.
Tatoeba #9466604 by lbdx, translation #3574426 by Lebensfreude
Pour épaissir la sauce, ajoutez de l'amidon de maïs.
To thicken the sauce, add cornstarch.
J'ai besoin de maïzena pour préparer le gâteau.
I need cornstarch to prepare the cake.
As-tu de la fécule de maïs pour cette recette?
Do you have any cornstarch for this recipe?
Ajoutez de la fécule de maïs pour épaissir la sauce.
Add some cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
Il reste de la fécule de maïs dans le placard.
There is some cornstarch left in the cupboard.

Hugo and Chloé are preparing a dessert in the kitchen.

Hugo

Chloé, est-ce que tu as de la fécule de maïs ?
Chloé, do you have any cornstarch?
Chloé

Oui, je l'ai trouvée dans le tiroir.
Yes, I found it in the drawer.
Hugo

Parfait, elle est indispensable pour cette recette.
Perfect, it is essential for this recipe.
Chloé

Je vais la verser dans le bol, Hugo.
I am going to pour it into the bowl, Hugo.

Sources

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