grand café
The French phrase for "large coffee" is grand café.
This phrase is used to specify a coffee drink served in a large size.
Which one should you use?
If you wish to order a small coffee instead, you should replace the adjective grand with petit to say petit café.
How does it change in a sentence?
When saying "a large coffee," the phrase uses the masculine indefinite article un because café is a masculine noun.
Did you know?
- In a French bistro, if you simply ask for un café, you will likely receive a tiny, potent espresso rather than a large cup. To ensure you get a voluminous drink, you must specify your size with grand.
- If you order un café allongé, you are asking for an espresso 'lengthened' with hot water, which serves as a common way to get a 'large coffee' in France.
- The term grand café has a double life. While it describes a large coffee, it is also the name for the elegant, high-society coffee houses that became cultural icons in 19th-century France.
Examples in context
- Je voudrais un grand café avec trois crèmes et trois sachets de sucre.I'd like a large coffee with three creams and three sugars.This sentence is useful for ordering a grand café along with specific additions like cream and sugar.Tatoeba #12512470 by menaud, translation #12512472 by menaud
- Un grand café, s'il vous plaît.A large coffee, please.
- Pouvez-vous me donner un café en grande taille, s'il vous plaît ?Can you give me a coffee in a large size, please?
- Un café format géant, s'il vous plaît.A giant-sized coffee, please.
- Est-ce que je peux avoir un grand café ?Can I have a large coffee?
Example conversation
At a Parisian cafe, Nathan is ordering a drink.
- NathanBonjour, je voudrais un grand café.Hello, I would like a large coffee.
- ManonBien sûr, monsieur. Avec du lait ?Of course, sir. With milk?
- NathanNon, noir, merci.No, black, thank you.
- ManonC'est entendu, je vous l'apporte tout de suite.Understood, I will bring it to you right away.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
