cornichons
The English phrase 'pickles' is translated into French as cornichons.
The term refers to small cucumbers that have been preserved in vinegar and brine.
Which one should you use?
While the English word 'pickles' can be used for various types of pickled vegetables, cornichons specifically refers to small, crunchy pickled cucumbers often served as an accompaniment to charcuterie.
How does it change in a sentence?
cornichons is a masculine noun, so the singular form is un cornichon.
Did you know?
- The word cornichon is also used as a playful, mild insult to describe a person who is silly or foolish.
- The word cornichon shares a linguistic root with the word corne, meaning 'horn', referring to the curved shape of the small cucumber.
- Unlike the English 'pickle' which can be any pickled vegetable, a cornichon must be a cucumber, or it is simply called légumes au vinaigre.
Examples in context
- Regarde, Tom. Il y a des cornichons salés !Look, Tom. There are salted pickles!This sentence illustrates how to point out the presence of salted cornichons.Tatoeba #6208246 by felix63, translation #6917051 by kaiperkins271
- Sami a une drôle d'obsession pour les cornichons.Sami has a weird obsession with pickles.This sentence describes a person's obsession with cornichons.Tatoeba #6488747 by Micsmithel, translation #6484804 by OsoHombre
- J'aime les cornichons.I love pickles.This sentence expresses a personal preference for cornichons.Tatoeba #6590491 by Eccles17, translation #6590490 by Eccles17
- Je vais prendre une salade avec des cornichons, s'il vous plaît.I'll have a salad with pickles, please.
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are making sandwiches in the kitchen.
- NathanEst-ce qu'il reste des cornichons dans le frigo ?Are there any pickles left in the fridge?
- EmmaOui, j'en ai mis dans le bocal.Yes, I put some in the jar.
- NathanSuper, j'en veux dans mon sandwich.Great, I want some in my sandwich.
- EmmaTiens, prends-en quelques-uns, Nathan.Here, take a few, Nathan.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
