raisin sec
masculine
The English word "raisin" is translated into French as raisin sec.
The phrase raisin sec is used to refer to a dried grape.
Meaning: dried grape (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word sec in the phrase raisin sec means "dry".
Which one should you use?
The word raisin on its own refers to a fresh grape, whereas raisin sec refers specifically to a dried grape.
Did you know?
- The word sec in raisin sec is a direct descendant of the Proto-Indo-European root *seyk-, which is also the distant ancestor of the English word 'sick' in certain contexts of wasting away.
- The French word raisin can be used as an adjective to describe a specific light purple color, known as couleur raisin.
- While English uses 'raisin' for almost all dried grapes, French uses raisin sec for common ones, but specialized terms like raisin de Corinthe for specific varieties.
Examples in context
- Je mange des raisins secs tous les jours.I eat raisins every day.
- J'adore les cookies aux raisins de Corinthe.I love Corinthian raisin cookies.
- Il y a un raisin sec dans le gâteau.There is a raisin in the cake.
- Est-ce que ce raisin sec est bon ?Is this raisin good?
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are sharing a snack in the kitchen.
- ManonTu veux un raisin sec, Gabriel ?Do you want a raisin, Gabriel?
- GabrielOui, merci Manon.Yes, thank you Manon.
- ManonC'est un très bon raisin sec.It is a very good raisin.
- GabrielTu as raison, il est sucré.You are right, it is sweet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “raisin” translations and entries raisin sec, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries raisin, raisin sec, sec, CC BY-SA 4.0.
