Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| plat principal | /pla pʁɛ̃.si.pal/ | masculine |
| plat de résistance | /pla d(ə) ʁe.zis.tɑ̃s/ | masculine |
The phrase refers to the main dish of a meal. While plat principal is a literal way to describe the dish, you will also frequently encounter the idiomatic expression plat de résistance. This latter form can be used both in a culinary sense and metaphorically to describe the most important part of something.
What does it mean word for word?
The term plat principal is composed of plat (dish) and principal (main/principal).
Which one should you use?
Plat principal is a literal description of the main dish. In contrast, plat de résistance is a common idiomatic way to refer to the main course and often implies a more substantial or hearty dish than plat principal.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of plat principal is plats principaux, where both the noun and the adjective take a plural ending.
How do you pronounce it?
/pla pʁɛ̃.si.pal/ (3 syllables)
Did you know?
- In a traditional French meal, the plat principal is not the first thing served. It is preceded by an entrée, which in France is a starter rather than the main dish as it is used in North America.
- The word résistance in this culinary phrase does not mean 'resistance' in the sense of fighting back, but rather the 'strength' or 'substance' of the dish that sustains the diner.
- The word plat comes from an ancient Greek word meaning 'broad' or 'flat', which describes the physical shape of the vessel used to serve the food.
Examples in context
- Les enfants mangèrent un plat principal immonde.The children ate a disgusting main course.This sentence uses plat principal to describe a meal eaten by children.Tatoeba #2851507 by RoiOfTheSuisse, translation #12425956 by Miktsoanit
- Je voudrais commander le plat principal, s'il vous plaît.I would like to order the main course, please.
- Quel est le plat principal aujourd'hui ?What is the main course today?
- Le plat principal est très savoureux.The main course is very tasty.
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are looking at a restaurant menu.
- EmmaQu'est-ce que tu choisis comme plat principal ?What are you choosing as a main course?
- HugoJe vais prendre le saumon grillé.I will have the grilled salmon.
- EmmaC'est un très bon choix, Hugo.That is a very good choice, Hugo.
- HugoEt toi, Emma, tu prends quoi ?And you, Emma, what are you having?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “main course” translations and entries plat principal, plat de résistance, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, plat, principal, résistance, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
