à point bien cuit
The French phrase for "medium well" is à point bien cuit.
This phrase is used to describe the level of doneness for cooked meat, specifically when ordering a steak.
Meaning: medium well (adj)
Did you know?
- In French gastronomy, à point is considered the gold standard for steak. Ordering it bien cuit is often seen as a waste of a high-quality piece of meat by traditional chefs.
- The phrase à point is also used in French to describe a person who is fully prepared or a situation that is perfectly timed.
- The word point stems from the Latin 'pūnctum', which is the same root for the English word 'punctuation'.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are ordering dinner at a restaurant.
- GabrielLe serveur arrive. Comment veux-tu ton steak, Léa ?The waiter is coming. How do you want your steak, Léa?
- LéaJe le voudrais à point bien cuit, s'il vous plaît.I would like it medium well, please.
- GabrielD'accord. Et pour moi, ce sera saignant.Okay. And for me, it will be rare.
- LéaC'est noté, Gabriel.Noted, Gabriel.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bien, cuit, point, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
