gril
/ɡʁil/masculine
The English phrase "grill" can be translated into French as gril. If unsure, use gril. Wiktionary also lists barbecue.
Meaning: barbecue (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| gril | /ɡʁil/ | masculine |
| barbecue | /baʁ.bə.kju/ /baʁ.bə.ky/ |
masculine |
The term refers to a barbecue. You can also use the related verb griller, which means to grill food.
Which one should you use?
The two main forms used for this concept differ based on whether you are talking about equipment or a social event. gril refers specifically to the technical apparatus or the metal grate itself. In contrast, barbecue is used more broadly to describe the social gathering or the meal, such as in the phrase faire un barbecue.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, the term BBQ is commonly used.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡʁil/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful with your spelling: English speakers often mistakenly write the French noun with a double 'l' as 'grill', but in French, it is spelled with a single 'l' as gril.
Did you know?
- The word gril shares an unexpected distant ancestor with the legendary 'Grail' of Arthurian legend, as both stem from the Old French 'graïl' meaning a gridiron or vessel.
- In French culinary terms, griller can refer to both cooking over an open flame and browning food under a broiler in an oven.
Examples in context
- retourner sur le gril d'écoleSuffer the torment of school (literally "turn over on the grill")This sentence uses gril in a figurative sense to express suffering a torment.
- Je vais allumer le barbecue ce soirI'm going to light the grill tonight
- On prépare des grillades ce soirWe're preparing grilled meat tonight
- Marie aime griller des légumes à la perfection.Marie enjoys grilling vegetables to perfection.
- Le gril est déjà chaud.The grill is already hot.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are preparing lunch in the garden.
- GabrielEst-ce que le gril est prêt, Emma ?Is the grill ready, Emma?
- EmmaOui, je viens de l'allumer.Yes, I just turned it on.
- GabrielParfait, je sors les légumes.Perfect, I'm getting the vegetables out.
- EmmaOn peut commencer à cuire !We can start cooking!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grill” translations and entries gril, barbecue, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries barbecue, gril, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
