commander à manger
To order food in French is commander à manger.
The phrase is used to request a meal from a restaurant or food service provider. In a restaurant setting, French speakers often simply use the verb commander (for example, Je voudrais commander…) rather than the full phrase, because the context of food is implied.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb commander (to order) and the prepositional phrase à manger (to eat/for eating).
Which one should you use?
While commander à manger specifically refers to ordering food, the verb commander alone can also mean to command or give orders in a military or authoritative sense.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to specify what you are ordering, you place the object between the verb commander and the phrase à manger, forming the structure commander quelque chose à manger.
Did you know?
- In a French restaurant, you do not usually order food by saying 'I want'. Instead, you use the conditional Je voudrais to soften the request and avoid sounding like you are giving a military command.
- While commander à manger is used for restaurants, the phrase passer commande is used when ordering products or food online or via a professional supplier.
- The verb commander actually traces back to the Latin 'commendare', which meant 'to entrust' something to someone.
Examples in context
- Je voudrais un steak-frites, s'il vous plaîtI would like a steak and fries, please
- Je prends une tarte aux pommesI'll have an apple pie
- Je vais commander à manger.I am going to order food.
- On peut commander à manger en ligne ?Can we order food online?
- Il est temps de commander à manger.It is time to order food.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are deciding what to do for dinner.
- GabrielJ'ai très faim, Emma.I am very hungry, Emma.
- EmmaMoi aussi, on va commander à manger ?Me too, shall we order food?
- GabrielOui, je préfère des pizzas.Yes, I prefer pizzas.
- EmmaD'accord, je m'en occupe.Okay, I will take care of it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries commander, manger, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
