Which one should you use?
While je veux un pain au chocolat and je veux un croissant au chocolat both express the desire for this pastry, the former is more standard. In terms of register, the phrase Je voudrais un croissant au chocolat, s'il vous plaît or Je souhaite avoir un croissant au chocolat are formal alternatives used to express "I would like…" or "I wish to have…", whereas Je veux un croissant au chocolat is an informal way to say "I want…"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In French, the choice of verb significantly affects politeness. Using je voudrais (I would like) instead of je veux (I want) is much more polite and standard when ordering in a bakery or cafe. For informal settings, you might use s'il te plaît to say "please".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In most of France, a chocolate croissant is called a pain au chocolat rather than a croissant au chocolat. However, in the southwest of France, specifically in Bordeaux, this same pastry is often called a chocolatine.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often try to translate "chocolate croissant" literally as croissant au chocolat. While this is understood, it is less common than using pain au chocolat in standard French bakeries.
When do people say it?
In most of France, the pastry is referred to as a pain au chocolat.
Did you know?
- The word chocolat originated from the Nahuatl word chocolātl used by the Aztecs in Mexico.
- Despite the name pain au chocolat, the pastry is not actually made of 'bread' in the traditional sense but of laminated puff pastry.
- The debate between using pain au chocolat and chocolatine is a lighthearted but fierce cultural rivalry in France.
Examples in context
- Je veux un pain au chocolat, s'il vous plaît.I want a chocolate croissant, please.
- Le matin, je veux un pain au chocolat.In the morning, I want a chocolate croissant.
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are at a bakery.
- ManonBonjour, je veux un pain au chocolat.Hello, I want a chocolate croissant.
- HugoBien sûr. Et pour toi, Hugo ?Of course. And for you, Hugo?
- HugoJe veux un pain au chocolat aussi.I want a chocolate croissant too.
- ManonParfait, on en prend deux alors.Perfect, we'll take two then.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chocolat, je, pain, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
