ordre
/ɔʁdʁ/
The English word 'order' translates to ordre in French.
In French, ordre is used to refer to a command or an instruction. It can also refer to the arrangement or disposition of things, or an awarded decoration. Note that it is not the word used when you want to request a product or service.
Meaning: to request some product or service (verb)
Which one should you use?
While ordre is a noun meaning 'a command', the verb used to request a product or service is commander. Additionally, when referring to a commercial order such as a purchase, the noun commande is used instead of ordre.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb used for requesting a product or service is commander, which is a regular -er verb.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɔʁdʁ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the noun ordre when they intend to use the verb 'to order' a meal or a product. You should use the verb commander instead.
Did you know?
- While commander means 'to order' a meal, it also means 'to command' an army or 'to control' a machine.
- The term ordre refers to the social classes of the Ancien Régime, such as the clergy and the nobility.
- The word ordre is used to describe a biological classification, such as a taxonomic 'order' in zoology.
Examples in context
- C'est un ordre !That's an order!This example shows how to use the noun ordre as a command.Tatoeba #1925496 by sacredceltic, translation #2260491 by Hybrid
- Est-ce un ordre ?Is that an order?This example demonstrates how to ask a question regarding an ordre.Tatoeba #6359877 by Aiji, translation #1886909 by CK
- Qui donna l'ordre ?Who gave the order?This example is useful for identifying who issued the ordre.Tatoeba #5386355 by Aiji, translation #3151164 by CK
- Je voudrais faire une commande, s'il vous plaît.I would like to place an order, please.
- Pouvez-vous me dire comment passer une commande ?Can you tell me how to place an order?
- Je vais commander une salade, et toi ?I'm going to order a salad, what about you?
- On prend quoi à manger ?What are we having?
- J'ai passé ma commande, maintenant il faut attendre.I've placed my order, now we have to wait.
- Bonjour, que voulez-vous commander aujourd'hui ?Hello, what would you like to order today?
- Je vais prendre un steak-frites, s'il vous plaît.I'll have a steak-frites, please.
- Puis-je prendre votre commande ?May I take your order?
- Je voudrais faire une commande à emporter.I would like to place a takeout order.
- 97 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- EmmaOn peut passer un ordre pour des pizzas ?Can we place an order for some pizzas?
- LucasOui, je m'en occupe tout de suite.Yes, I'll take care of it right away.
- EmmaMerci Lucas, je veux une pizza Margarita.Thanks Lucas, I want a Margarita pizza.
- LucasC'est noté, je passe l'ordre maintenant.Got it, I'm placing the order now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ordre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
