à point
/a pwɛ̃/
In French, the phrase for medium well done is à point.
The expression à point is used to indicate that meat, such as a steak, is cooked so that it is mostly cooked through but still remains slightly pink in the center.
Which one should you use?
À point describes meat that is slightly less cooked than bien cuit, which refers to meat that is well done.
How do you pronounce it?
/a pwɛ̃/
Did you know?
- In French culinary terms, the sequence of cooking goes from bleu to saignant to à point and finally to bien cuit.
- The word point in this phrase shares its roots with the English word 'punctual', as both stem from the idea of hitting a specific, precise moment or location.
- The expression à point is also used to describe something that is 'ripe' or 'ready', such as a piece of fruit that is perfectly ready to eat.
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are ordering dinner at a restaurant.
- NathanComment voulez-vous votre viande, Nathan ?How would you like your meat, Nathan?
- EmmaJe la voudrais à point, merci.I would like it medium well done, thank you.
- NathanD'accord, et pour toi, Emma ?Okay, and for you, Emma?
- EmmaMoi, je la veux bien cuite.Me, I want it well done.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry à point, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries point, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
