viande bien cuite
The English phrase "meat well done" is translated into French as viande bien cuite.
This phrase describes meat that has been cooked thoroughly throughout. In a restaurant setting, you can simplify your request by saying just bien cuit to specify the desired level of doneness for a steak or piece of meat.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of viande (meat), bien (well) and cuite (cooked).
Which one should you use?
While bien cuite is used for well-done meat, the term saignante is used to describe meat that is rare or bloody.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective cuite must agree in gender and number with the feminine noun viande.
Did you know?
- While bien cuite means 'well done', the word cuite is also used as a slang noun to describe being very drunk. Saying avoir une cuite means to have a massive hangover or a drunken spell.
- In France, ordering meat bien cuite can sometimes be perceived as a faux pas by chefs, who may view it as destroying the quality of a high-grade cut of beef.
- The root of viande comes from the Latin word for 'living', specifically from 'vīvere', which originally linked the word to things that sustain life.
Examples in context
- J'aime ma viande bien cuite.I like my meat well done.This sentence is useful for expressing a personal preference for meat that is well done using viande bien cuite.Tatoeba #127549 by autuno, translation #259785 by CK
- Je préfère une viande très cuite, bien doréeI prefer my meat very well cooked, well browned
- Je veux ma viande comme ça, bien cuiteI want my meat like this, well done
- Je préfère la viande bien cuite.I prefer my meat well done.
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are ordering dinner at a restaurant.
- NathanJe vais prendre le steak, s'il vous plaît.I'll have the steak, please.
- EmmaTu veux ta viande bien cuite, Nathan ?Do you want your meat well done, Nathan?
- NathanNon, je la préfère saignante.No, I prefer it rare.
- EmmaD'accord, je vais commander la mienne bien cuite.Okay, I'm going to order mine well done.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bien, cuite, viande, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
