chocolat au lait
/ʃɔ.kɔ.la o lɛ/masculine
The English phrase 'milk chocolate' is translated into French as chocolat au lait.
chocolat au lait refers to chocolate that includes milk powder as one of its ingredients.
Meaning: chocolate that includes milk powder as one of its ingredients (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'chocolate with milk'.
Which one should you use?
While chocolat au lait refers to milk chocolate, you should use chocolat noir to specify dark chocolate and chocolat blanc to specify white chocolate.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Canadian French, chocolat au lait is widely understood and used.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because chocolat is a masculine noun, the definite article used is le, resulting in le chocolat au lait.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃɔ.kɔ.la o lɛ/
Did you know?
- The word chocolat entered French via Spanish, but it originally comes from the Classical Nahuatl word chocolātl spoken in Mexico.
- In France, chocolat au lait can refer to both the solid candy bar and a hot chocolate drink.
- While chocolat au lait is the standard term, some French gourmet labels use chocolat au lait de montagne to specify milk from alpine cows.
Examples in context
- Je ne supporte pas le chocolat au lait.I cannot eat milk chocolate.This sentence is useful for expressing an inability to eat chocolat au lait.Tatoeba #8384934 by Micsmithel, translation #6733376 by Eccles17
- Je voudrais un dessert au chocolat au lait, s'il vous plaît.I would like a milk chocolate dessert, please
- Le chocolat au lait est crémeux et doux.Milk chocolate is creamy and sweet.
- J'adore le chocolat au lait.I love milk chocolate.
- Voulez-vous un carré de chocolat au lait ?Do you want a square of milk chocolate?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are choosing snacks at a cafe.
- NathanEst-ce que tu préfères le chocolat noir ou le chocolat au lait ?Do you prefer dark chocolate or milk chocolate?
- LéaMoi, je préfère le chocolat au lait.Me, I prefer milk chocolate.
- NathanD'accord, je vais en acheter pour nous deux.Okay, I will buy some for both of us.
- LéaMerci beaucoup, Nathan !Thank you very much, Nathan!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “milk chocolate” translations and entries chocolat au lait, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chocolat, chocolat au lait, lait, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
