When traveling or living in a French-speaking country, it’s helpful to know how to order food to go, especially if you’re in a hurry or simply prefer to eat your meal elsewhere. In this guide, we’ll explore different ways to say “order to go” in French, including both formal and informal expressions. While there might be some regional variations, we’ll focus on widely-used terminology to ensure you’re well-equipped for any French-speaking setting. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions
When ordering food to go in a more formal setting, such as a restaurant or a formal event, you can use the following phrases:
- “Commander à emporter”: This is the most common and widely understood formal expression for “order to go” in French. It can be used in any French-speaking country without confusion.
- “Demander à emporter”: This expression is commonly used in formal situations to politely ask for your order to be packed to go.
TIP: When using these phrases, remember to maintain a polite and respectful tone. French culture places great importance on manners.
Example Conversations
Let’s take a look at a few examples to help you understand how to use formal expressions for “order to go” in French:
Example 1:
You: Bonjour, je voudrais un sandwich jambon-fromage à emporter, s’il vous plaît. (Hello, I would like a ham and cheese sandwich to go, please.)
Server: Très bien, monsieur/madame. Allons-nous dans un sac ou une boîte ? (Very well, sir/madam. Shall I put it in a bag or a box?)
You: Dans un sac, s’il vous plaît. (In a bag, please.)
Example 2:
You: Excusez-moi, pourrais-je commander ces pâtisseries à emporter ? (Excuse me, could I order these pastries to go?)
Chef: Bien sûr, mademoiselle/monsieur. J’emballerai vos pâtisseries pour vous. (Of course, miss/sir. I will pack your pastries for you.)
You: Merci beaucoup ! (Thank you very much!)
Informal Expressions
In more casual settings, such as fast food restaurants or informal cafés, you can use these expressions to request your order to go:
- “Prendre à emporter”: This informal phrase is widely used in everyday conversations to mean “to take out” or “to get it to go”.
- “Emporter”: This is a shorter and more colloquial way of saying “to go” in French when ordering food.
TIP: Casual expressions are great for quick, informal interactions, but be mindful of the context and adjust your language accordingly.
Example Conversations
Let’s take a look at a couple of examples to help you understand how to use informal expressions for “order to go” in French:
Example 1:
You: Salut, je voudrais un café à emporter, s’il te plaît. (Hi, I would like a coffee to go, please.)
Barista: Pas de souci ! Tu le veux avec du lait ? (No problem! Do you want it with milk?)
You: Oui, avec un peu de lait, s’il te plaît. (Yes, with a little bit of milk, please.)
Example 2:
You: Hé, je peux emporter cette pizza ? (Hey, can I get this pizza to go?)
Cashier: Bien sûr, mon pote. Je la prépare rapidement pour toi. (Sure, buddy. I’ll prepare it quickly for you.)
You: Génial, merci ! (Awesome, thanks!)
Final Thoughts
Being able to order food to go in French is a valuable skill when navigating French-speaking countries. Whether you find yourself in a formal restaurant or a fast-food joint, employing the appropriate expressions will make your interactions smoother and more enjoyable. Remember to always be polite, adjust your language to the situation, and feel confident in using the suggested phrases. Bon appétit!
