manger vite
To eat fast in French is manger vite.
The phrase is used to describe the act of consuming food at a high speed. While manger vite is standard, you may encounter the more formal verb dévorer, which means to devour.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb manger (to eat) and the adverb vite (fast/quickly).
Which one should you use?
Manger vite is more common in everyday spoken French. In contrast, manger rapidement sounds slightly more formal or precise.
How does it change in a sentence?
When giving a command, the form changes depending on who you are addressing. Use the imperative mange vite to command a single person in an informal context. Use the imperative mangez vite to command multiple people or to command one person in a formal context.
Did you know?
- In traditional French dining etiquette, eating too fast is often seen as a lack of appreciation for the culinary art and the social experience of the meal.
- Some linguists believe vite may not have a Latin root at all but instead began as an onomatopoeia intended to mimic the sound of rapid movement.
Examples in context
- Tom aime manger vite.Tom likes to eat fast.This sentence is useful for showing how to use manger vite with a subject.Tatoeba #7695466 by Maxence, translation #2546981 by CK
- Il est réputé pour manger rapidement pendant les déjeuners d'affaires.He is known for eating fast during business lunches.
- Elle dévore toujours son repas en un rien de temps.She always devours her meal in no time.
- On a seulement vingt minutes pour manger, alors il faut bouffer rapidement.We only have twenty minutes to eat, so we have to eat fast.
- Il est toujours en retard, il faut toujours qu'il mange en deux temps, trois mouvements.He's always running late and has to eat really quickly.
- L'enfant apprend à manger vite.The child is learning to eat fast.
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are having lunch together.
- NathanPourquoi tu manges si vite ?Why are you eating so fast?
- EmmaJe suis très pressée aujourd'hui.I am in a big hurry today.
- NathanIl ne faut pas manger vite.You shouldn't eat fast.
- EmmaJe sais, mais j'ai un rendez-vous.I know, but I have an appointment.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries manger, vite, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
