cake aux prunes
The English phrase "plum cake" is translated into French as cake aux prunes.
The phrase is used to describe a cake where plums are a primary ingredient.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of cake (cake), aux (with the/using) and prunes (plums).
Which one should you use?
While cake aux prunes is used, gâteau aux prunes is the more traditional French term for a plum cake. In modern French, cake specifically refers to a loaf-shaped sponge cake.
How does it change in a sentence?
The preposition aux is used because prunes is plural, indicating the cake contains multiple plums.
Did you know?
- The word cake is frequently used in French to describe savory loaf cakes, such as cake aux olives. This differs from English, where 'cake' almost exclusively implies something sweet.
- The French word cake is a direct loan from English. However, it evolved to describe a specific texture and shape that differs from the general English meaning.
- While gâteau aux prunes and cake aux prunes both mean plum cake, the latter implies a denser texture and a tea-time snack rather than a dessert.
Examples in context
- Hier soir, j'ai préparé un délicieux gâteau aux prunes pour le dîner.Last night, I prepared a delicious plum cake for dinner.
- On se retrouve cet après-midi pour prendre le thé avec un cake aux prunes fait maison.Let's meet this afternoon for tea and a homemade plum cake.
- J'adore ce cake aux prunes.I love this plum cake.
- Il reste un peu de cake aux prunes.There is a little plum cake left.
- Veux-tu une part de cake aux prunes ?Do you want a slice of plum cake?
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are in the kitchen.
- ManonGabriel, regarde mon cake aux prunes !Gabriel, look at my plum cake!
- GabrielIl a l'air très bon, Manon.It looks very good, Manon.
- ManonVeux-tu goûter un morceau ?Do you want to taste a piece?
- GabrielOui, je le veux bien, merci.Yes, I would love to, thanks.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aux, cake, CC BY-SA 4.0.
