menu
/mə.ny/masculine
The French word for menu is menu. Wiktionary also lists carte.
Meaning: list of dishes offered in a restaurant (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| menu | /mə.ny/ | masculine |
| carte | /kaʁt/ | feminine |
The word is used to describe the food options provided in a dining context.
Which one should you use?
In a restaurant context, le menu often refers specifically to a fixed-price multi-course meal (a set menu). The formal term for the menu is la carte.
How does it change in a sentence?
Carte is a feminine noun, while menu is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/mə.ny/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use le menu to mean the entire list of food, but in France, asking for le menu might result in being offered a specific fixed-price meal instead of the full list of choices.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Tom consulta le menu.Tom perused the menu.This sentence shows how to use menu when someone is reading through it.Tatoeba #6638048 by GB3, translation #6637330 by Hybrid
- J'ai regardé le menu.I looked at the menu.This sentence demonstrates using menu when looking at the options.Tatoeba #10711070 by xhlulu, translation #5939643 by CK
- Puis-je voir le menu ?Can I see the menu?This sentence is useful for asking to see the menu.Tatoeba #2794162 by Rovo, translation #6614328 by Eccles17
- Excusez-moi, puis-je voir la carte, s'il vous plaît?Excuse me, may I see the menu, please?
- Pourrais-je avoir la carte des plats, s'il vous plaît?Could I have the menu, please?
- Voici les menus, que souhaitez-vous commander?Here are the menus, what would you like to order?
- Je vais prendre le poulet rôti avec des légumes, s'il vous plaît.I'll have the roasted chicken with vegetables, please.
- 53 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are sitting at a restaurant table.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu as le menu ?Do you have the menu?
- ManonOui, je l'ai ici, Gabriel.Yes, I have it here, Gabriel.
- GabrielLe menu propose beaucoup de plats.The menu offers a lot of dishes.
- ManonJe suis d'accord, Manon.I agree, Manon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “menu” translations and entries menu, carte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries carte, menu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
