graine de cumin
The English phrase "cumin seed" is translated into French as graine de cumin.
The phrase refers to the dried seed of the cumin plant used as a spice in cooking. In many culinary contexts, the word cumin alone is used to refer to the spice itself, whether in seed or ground form.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of graine (seed), the preposition de (of) and cumin (cumin).
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to multiple seeds, the noun graine is pluralized to graines, while cumin remains singular as it acts as a modifier.
Did you know?
- While cumin is a French word, its roots are Semitic, traveling through Ancient Greek and Latin before entering the language.
- French distinguishes between cumin and cumin noir, the latter being black cumin or nigella seeds, which are entirely different plants.
- In traditional French pharmacy, cumin was historically used not just for cooking but as a digestive aid in herbal teas.
Examples in context
- Où est-ce que je peux trouver des graines de cumin?Where can I find cumin seeds?
- Cette graine de cumin a une odeur forte.This cumin seed has a strong smell.
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are cooking dinner together.
- LucasEmma, où est la graine de cumin ?Emma, where is the cumin seed?
- EmmaElle est dans le placard, Lucas.It is in the cupboard, Lucas.
- LucasJe ne la vois pas ici.I don't see it here.
- EmmaRegarde derrière le sel.Look behind the salt.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cumin, de, graine, CC BY-SA 4.0.
