je prépare le dîner
In French, "I am cooking dinner" is expressed as je prépare le dîner.
This phrase is used to say that you are currently preparing a meal to be eaten in the evening. French speakers more commonly use the verb préparer than cuisiner for the act of making a meal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase je prépare le dîner literally translates to "I prepare the dinner."
Which one should you use?
The form je prépare le dîner is the more natural and standard way to express that you are in the process of making a meal.
Did you know?
- In some regions of France, Belgium and Switzerland, dîner refers to the midday meal rather than the evening meal.
- The word dîner is actually an antonym of its historical root, which meant 'to fast'. It comes from the Latin phrase for 'breaking the fast'.
- French does not have a dedicated present continuous tense like the English 'am cooking'. The simple present je prépare covers both 'I prepare' and 'I am preparing'.
Examples in context
- Je prépare le dîner en ce moment.I am preparing dinner right now.
- Ne me dérange pas, je prépare le dîner.Don't disturb me, I am cooking dinner.
- Attends un peu, je prépare le dîner.Wait a bit, I am preparing dinner.
Example conversation
Hugo enters the kitchen while Emma is busy at the stove.
- EmmaHugo, peux-tu m'aider ? Je prépare le dîner.Hugo, can you help me? I am cooking dinner.
- HugoBien sûr, que puis-je faire pour toi ?Of course, what can I do for you?
- EmmaTu peux couper les légumes pour moi.You can cut the vegetables for me.
- HugoD'accord, je m'en occupe tout de suite.Okay, I'll take care of it right away.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dîner, je, le, CC BY-SA 4.0.
