riz au lait
/ʁi o lɛ/masculine
Rice pudding in French is riz au lait. Wiktionary also lists gâteau de riz.
Meaning: milk pudding made from rice, milk, sugar and nutmeg (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| riz au lait | /ʁi o lɛ/ | masculine |
| gâteau de riz | /ɡa.to d(ə) ʁi/ /ɡɑ.to d(ə) ʁi/ |
masculine |
The term refers to a dessert made from rice, milk, sugar and nutmeg.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase riz au lait literally translates to rice with milk.
Which one should you use?
Use riz au lait for the common, creamy, porridge-like dessert typically served in a bowl. If you are referring to a more solid, cake-like rice dessert, use gâteau de riz.
How does it change in a sentence?
riz au lait is a masculine noun phrase and does not change its form in the plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁi o lɛ/
Did you know?
- The term riz actually traces its roots back to the Byzantine Greek word óruza, rather than a Latin or Germanic source.
- In French culture, riz au lait is often served as a comforting treat for children or as a traditional rustic dessert in rural regions.
Examples in context
- Je peux avoir un riz au lait, s'il te plaît ?Can I have a rice pudding, please?
- Le riz au lait est très doux.The rice pudding is very mild.
- Je voudrais un riz au lait, s'il vous plaît.I would like a rice pudding, please.
- Est-ce qu'il reste du riz au lait ?Is there any rice pudding left?
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are finishing a meal at a cafe.
- ChloéEst-ce que tu veux un dessert ?Do you want a dessert?
- HugoOui, je vais prendre un riz au lait.Yes, I will have a rice pudding.
- ChloéC'est un excellent choix, Hugo.That is an excellent choice, Hugo.
- HugoIl est souvent très bon ici.It is often very good here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rice pudding” translations and entries riz au lait, gâteau de riz, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, gâteau, lait, riz, riz au lait, CC BY-SA 4.0.
