comment est la nourriture ?
The phrase "how is the food?" is translated into French as comment est la nourriture ?
This phrase is a question used to ask someone for their opinion on the taste or quality of a meal.
Which one should you use?
Use C'est bon ? if you want to ask more informally if the food is tasty. If you want to ask about the specific meal being eaten rather than food as a substance, use Comment est le repas ? If you are interested in how the dining experience is progressing rather than just the flavor, use Comment se passe le repas ?
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, you may encounter the expression Comment que c'est, la bouffe icitte? to mean "How's the food over here?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The word nourriture refers to food as a substance, whereas repas refers to the specific meal being eaten. Additionally, les entrées means "starters".
Did you know?
- While nourriture is the standard term, the slang word bouffe used in Quebec and France comes from the verb bouffer, which literally means 'to devour' or 'to eat like an animal'.
- If you ask Comment est la nourriture ? in a restaurant, you might sound like a scientist or a doctor. The word nourriture focuses on the substance being consumed rather than the enjoyment of the dining experience.
- The word nourriture is derived from the Latin word nūtrītūra, which describes the act of nourishing rather than the food itself.
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are eating at a new restaurant.
- EmmaGabriel, comment est la nourriture ?Gabriel, how is the food?
- GabrielC'est vraiment délicieux, Emma !It is really delicious, Emma!
- EmmaJe suis contente que tu aimes.I am glad that you like it.
- GabrielLe poisson est parfait.The fish is perfect.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries comment, est, la, nourriture, CC BY-SA 4.0.
