boissons
The English phrase 'drinks' is translated into French as boissons.
The most general and versatile term for 'drink' in French is boisson.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, liqueur refers to carbonated beverages. In the French-speaking part of Belgium, pinte means a pint of beer.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form is boisson and the plural form is boissons.
When do people say it?
In France, ordering un café typically means a small cup of espresso unless you specify otherwise. When ordering a coffee casually, you can say un café. The shortened form un jus can be used informally to ask for a fruit juice.
Did you know?
- In French, the term boire un coup literally means 'to drink a blow' but is the standard idiomatic way to say 'have a drink' with friends.
- French has a specific word, apéro, short for apéritif. This refers to a specific pre-dinner drink and the social ritual of snacking and drinking before a meal.
- If a French speaker describes a drink as écoeurant, they are not saying it is disgusting in a general sense, but that it is so sugary or rich it makes them feel slightly sick.
Examples in context
- Il vend des boissons.He sells drinks.This sentence shows how to use boissons when describing what someone sells.Tatoeba #9979834 by Micsmithel, translation #9355883 by Nylez
- J'ai payé les boissons.I paid for the drinks.This sentence demonstrates using boissons in the context of paying for items.Tatoeba #2390089 by sacredceltic, translation #2389848 by CK
- Ils ont tous des boissons.They all have drinks.This sentence illustrates the use of boissons to indicate possession.Tatoeba #3645687 by sacredceltic, translation #2547634 by CK
- Je voudrais une boisson, s'il vous plaît.I would like a drink, please.
- Pourrais-je avoir un café, s'il vous plaît?May I have a coffee, please?
- Je prendrai un jus de fruits, s'il vous plaît.I'll have a fruit juice, please.
- Je vais prendre un verre de vin.I'll have a glass of wine.
- Je veux bien un café.I'd like a coffee, please.
- Tu peux me passer un jus?Can you pass me a juice?
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are planning a small party at home.
- EmmaOn doit acheter des boissons pour la fête.We need to buy some drinks for the party.
- NathanTu veux des boissons fraîches ou chaudes ?Do you want cold or hot drinks?
- EmmaNathan, prépare plutôt des boissons fraîches.Nathan, prepare cold drinks instead.
- NathanD'accord, je vais prendre des jus et du soda.Okay, I will get some juice and soda.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
