salle à manger
/sa.l‿a mɑ̃.ʒe/feminine
The English phrase "dining room" is salle à manger in French.
salle à manger is a feminine noun used to refer to a room, in a home or hotel, where meals are eaten.
Meaning: room, in a home or hotel, where meals are eaten (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "room for eating": salle means room, à means for and manger means to eat.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the plural form les salles à manger, only the noun salle takes an s, while the infinitive verb manger remains unchanged.
How do you pronounce it?
/sa.l‿a mɑ̃.ʒe/
Did you know?
- The term salle originates from a Frankish word meaning 'dwelling' or 'entrance hall' rather than a Latin root.
- In traditional French home layouts, the salle à manger is often strictly separated from the kitchen to keep cooking smells away from the guests.
- In French, salle is used for many types of rooms, such as salle de bain for 'bathroom', but it specifically refers to a room with a purpose rather than a 'chamber' like chambre.
Examples in context
- Où est la salle à manger ?Where's the dining room?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of the salle à manger.Tatoeba #3628028 by fleur74, translation #4704237 by CK
- Le salon jouxte la salle à manger.The living room adjoins the dining room.This sentence is useful for describing how the living room and the salle à manger are positioned.Tatoeba #981121 by sacredceltic, translation #19405 by CK
- Y a-t-il une salle à manger dans la maison ?Has the house got a dining room?This sentence is useful for asking if a house contains a salle à manger.Tatoeba #1590936 by Petrus, translation #726354 by sundown
- Nous prenons le dîner dans la salle à mangerWe have dinner in the dining room
- On se retrouve dans la salle à mangerLet's meet in the dining room
- Viens-tu souper à la salle à manger ce soir?Are you coming to have dinner in the dining room tonight?
- On passe tous nos repas dans le séjourWe have all our meals in the dining room/living room
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is setting up their new apartment.
- LucasLa salle à manger est très grande.The dining room is very large.
- EmmaElle est parfaite pour nos dîners.It is perfect for our dinners.
- LucasOn peut installer la table ici ?Can we set up the table here?
- EmmaOui, Lucas, c'est l'endroit idéal.Yes, Lucas, it is the ideal spot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dining room” translations and entries salle à manger, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries manger, salle, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
