Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| crêpe | /kʁɛp/ | feminine |
| pancake | /pan.kɛk/ | masculine |
In French, there are two different words used depending on the type of pancake you are describing. crêpe is the most widely recognized word and refers to the traditional, thin French variety. The word pancake is used as a loanword specifically to describe the thicker, fluffy American-style breakfast pancake.
Which one should you use?
Use crêpe to refer to the traditional, thin French pancake, whereas pancake refers to the thicker, American-style breakfast pancake.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Canadian province of New Brunswick, a type of pancake is called a ploye.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word crêpe is a feminine noun and requires feminine articles such as une or la. Conversely, the loanword pancake is a masculine noun and requires masculine articles like un or le.
How do you pronounce it?
/kʁɛp/
Did you know?
- A common French superstition during La Chandeleur involves flipping a crêpe in the pan while holding a gold coin to ensure wealth.
- The word crêpe shares a linguistic ancestor with the English word 'crisp', both tracing back to a root meaning 'to curl'.
- French speakers distinguish between crêpes and galettes, the latter being savory buckwheat pancakes typically found in Brittany.
Examples in context
- C'est plat comme une crêpe.It's flat as a pancake.This example shows the use of crêpe in a simile.Tatoeba #12040107 by zogwarg, translation #5747395 by CM
- Essayez ce pancake et dites-moi s'il vous plaît.Try this pancake and tell me if you like it.This example demonstrates how to use pancake when offering food.Tatoeba #3258825 by Aiji, translation #3258826 by sundown
- Aussi plate qu'on fasse une crêpe, elle a toujours deux côtés.No matter how flat you make a pancake, it always has two sides.This example illustrates the use of crêpe in a metaphorical context.Tatoeba #1813195 by sacredceltic, translation #1372232 by Spamster
- Je vais préparer des crêpes ce soir.I am going to make pancakes tonight.
- Les crêpes sont une spécialité française.Pancakes are a French delicacy.
- J'adore les crêpes épaisses avec du sirop d'érable.I love thick pancakes with maple syrup.
- Tu sais faire des crêpes épaisses moelleuses ?Can you make fluffy thick pancakes?
- Je vais déguster une galette bretonne demain.I am going to enjoy a Breton pancake tomorrow.
- Les galettes de sarrasin sont délicieuses avec du fromage de chèvre.Buckwheat pancakes are delicious with goat cheese.
- J'ai savouré des ployes délicieuses lors de mon séjour au Nouveau-Brunswick.I savored delicious ployes during my stay in New Brunswick.
- Les ployes sont souvent servies avec du sirop d'érable.Ployes are often served with maple syrup.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are eating breakfast in the kitchen.
- HugoTu veux une crêpe pour le petit déjeuner ?Do you want a pancake for breakfast?
- LéaOui, je veux une crêpe avec du sucre.Yes, I want a pancake with sugar.
- HugoJe vais préparer ta crêpe tout de suite.I will prepare your pancake right away.
- LéaMerci Hugo, c'est très gentil !Thank you Hugo, that is very kind!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pancake” translations and entries crêpe, pancake, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries crêpe, pancake, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
