le dîner est servi
The English phrase "dinner is served" is translated into French as le dîner est servi.
le dîner est servi is a phrase used to announce that the evening meal is ready to be eaten.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of "the dinner is served", where le dîner is the subject and est servi is a passive voice construction.
Which one should you use?
While le dîner est servi is a formal announcement, À table ! is a much more common and colloquial way to call people to eat.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word servi is the past participle of the verb servir (to serve) and must agree in gender with the masculine noun le dîner.
Did you know?
- The word dîner actually comes from a phrase meaning 'to break the fast'. It is a direct descendant of the Latin term for breaking a fast, making it a linguistic relative of the word 'breakfast'.
- In some French-speaking regions, le dîner does not necessarily refer to the evening meal but can be used for the main meal of the day regardless of the hour.
- In traditional French dining culture, the meal announced by le dîner est servi is often the main meal of the day, which may be eaten much later in the evening than a typical English dinner.
Examples in context
- Le dîner est servi, mesdames et messieurs.Dinner is served, ladies and gentlemen.
- À table, tout le monde!To the table, everyone!
- Le dîner est servi, tout le monde à table !Dinner is served, everyone to the table!
- Approchez, le dîner est servi.Come closer, dinner is served.
Example conversation
A father announces to his daughter that the meal is ready.
- LucasChloé, le dîner est servi.Chloé, dinner is served.
- ChloéC'est super, j'arrive tout de suite !That's great, I'm coming right now!
- LucasLave-toi les mains avant de t'asseoir.Wash your hands before sitting down.
- ChloéD'accord papa, j'arrive.Okay dad, I'm coming.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dîner, est, le, CC BY-SA 4.0.
