crêpes
In French, the English phrase 'crepes' is translated as crêpes.
The term crêpes refers to thin, round pancakes made from wheat flour.
Which one should you use?
While English speakers may use the word 'pancake' to describe both thick and thin varieties, in French, crêpes specifically refers to the thin, delicate variety. To describe the thick, fluffy American-style pancakes, one would typically use the loanword 'pancakes' or the phrase 'pancakes épais'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the region of Brittany, the Breton term krampouezh is used to refer to crepes.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is a feminine noun. Therefore, you use the singular indefinite article une for 'a crepe' and the singular definite article la for 'the crepe'.
Did you know?
- During la Chandeleur, it is a common custom to flip a crêpe in the pan with one hand while holding a gold coin in the other for good luck.
- The word crêpe shares a root with the English word 'crepe' used for fabric. Both terms come from a word meaning 'curled' or 'crinkled', referring to the texture of the fabric or the surface of the pancake.
- The spelling of crêpe uses a circumflex accent on the 'e', which historically indicated that an 's' used to follow that vowel in Old French.
Examples in context
- Tu préfères qu'on fasse des gaufres ou des crêpes ?Do you want us to do waffles or crepes?This sentence is useful for asking a preference between waffles and crêpes.Tatoeba #6479980 by Aiji, translation #6532479 by sejb
- J'adore les crêpes.I love crepes.This sentence is useful for expressing a love for crêpes.Tatoeba #11111484 by Rovo, translation #11112000 by shekitten
- La pâte à crêpes est faite d'œufs, de farine, de beurre, de lait et de sucre.The batter for crepes is made of eggs, flour, butter, milk and sugar.This sentence is useful for describing the ingredients in the batter for crêpes.Tatoeba #6579110 by GB3, translation #6579163 by Eccles17
- Je voudrais des crêpes, s'il vous plaît.I would like some crepes, please.
- Pourriez-vous me recommander un bon endroit pour déguster des crêpes ?Could you recommend me a good place to enjoy some crepes?
- Les crêpes françaises sont délicieuses !French crepes are delicious!
- Tu veux des galettes pour le dîner ?Do you want crepes for dinner?
- On peut se retrouver chez moi et faire des galettes ?Shall we meet at my place and make some crepes?
- Les galettes bretonnes sont mes préférées !Breton crepes are my favorites!
- J'ai hâte de manger une krampouezh bretonne !I can't wait to eat a Breton crepe!
- Je voudrais une crêpe au chocolat et à la bananeI would like a crepe with chocolate and banana
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are deciding what to eat for dessert.
- HugoTu veux des crêpes pour le dessert ?Do you want some crepes for dessert?
- ChloéOui, avec de la confiture, s'il te plaît.Yes, with some jam, please.
- HugoJe vais préparer les crêpes tout de suite.I am going to prepare the crepes right away.
- ChloéMerci, c'est très gentil de ta part.Thank you, that is very kind of you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
