gratin
The English phrase "gratin" is translated into French as gratin.
In French, gratin refers specifically to the dish itself. This differs from the English usage, where the word often refers to the technique used or the crusty topping.
Meaning: dish (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word comes from the verb gratter (to scrape), referring to the crusty layer formed on top of a dish.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is masculine, appearing as un gratin.
Did you know?
- In French, the word gratin is used metaphorically to describe an elite group of people, such as le gratin des intellectuels. This refers to the 'cream of the crop' or the very top layer of society.
- The term gratin is used for a wide variety of dishes beyond potatoes, including gratin de chou-fleur for cauliflower or gratin de pâtes for pasta.
- The act of browning the top of a gratin under a broiler is called gratiner. This verb is used specifically for this culinary process of creating a crust.
Examples in context
- Je vais à la banque. Tu peux tenir à l'œil le gratin ?I'm going to go to the bank. Can you watch the gratin?This sentence shows how to ask someone to watch the gratin.Tatoeba #9209023 by Micsmithel, translation #5939921 by bretsky
- Saupoudrez le gratin de parmesan.Sprinkle the gratin with parmesan.This sentence demonstrates how to sprinkle the gratin with parmesan.Tatoeba #353342 by MUIRIEL, translation #2364960 by niceguydave
- For our dinner tonight, we'll be serving a delightful cauliflower au gratin.Pour notre dîner ce soir, nous servirons un délicieux chou-fleur au gratin.
- Un gratin délicieuxA delicious gratin (masculine singular)
- Des gratins délicieuxDelicious gratins (plural)
- Ce gratin est vraiment délicieux.This gratin is truly delicious.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are eating dinner at home.
- EmmaTu aimes ce gratin, Nathan ?Do you like this gratin, Nathan?
- NathanOui, il est excellent, Emma.Yes, it is excellent, Emma.
- EmmaJe peux t'en servir encore un peu ?Can I serve you a little more?
- NathanNon merci, je n'ai plus faim.No thanks, I am no longer hungry.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
