sardines
The English phrase "sardines" is sardines in French.
sardines refers to small oily fish, which are often sold canned in oil or sauce. The idiomatic expression comme des sardines is used to describe people or things being packed very tightly together in a small space.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form is une sardine. The plural form uses the partitive or indefinite article des to mean "sardines", as in des sardines.
Did you know?
- In France, the 'premium' version of sardines is often sold in decorative, hand-painted tins that are collected as art pieces rather than discarded.
- In France, eating sardines is a deeply seasonal ritual, with many people grilling them fresh during the summer months rather than just eating them from a tin.
- While sardines are common, French culinary tradition distinguishes between the sardine and the sardineau, which refers to a smaller, younger fish.
Examples in context
- J'ai acheté une boîte de sardines.I bought a can of sardines.This sentence is useful for learning how to mention buying a can of sardines.Tatoeba #11447641 by lbdx, translation #9015842 by CK
- Les passagers sont serrés comme des sardines dans les autobus urbains.Passengers are packed in like sardines on city buses.This sentence shows how to use the idiom comme des sardines to describe people on a bus.Tatoeba #429712 by sacredceltic, translation #246119 by sacredceltic
- J'ai oublié l'ouvre-boîtes et je n'ai pas pu ouvrir la boîte de sardines.I forgot the can opener and could not open the can of sardines.This sentence demonstrates a situation involving a can of sardines and a can opener.Tatoeba #4096598 by sbamsbamsbam, translation #3290675 by JonLDS
- Au restaurant, je vais prendre les sardines grillées, s'il vous plaît.I will have the grilled sardines, please.
- Tu veux qu'on achète des p'tites sardines pour l'apéro ?Do you want us to buy some little sardines for the aperitif?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are planning a snack at home.
- EmmaEst-ce qu'il reste des sardines ?Are there any sardines left?
- LucasOui, il y a une boîte de sardines.Yes, there is a can of sardines.
- EmmaParfait, je vais les manger avec du pain.Perfect, I am going to eat them with bread.
- LucasD'accord, je prépare les assiettes pour toi.Okay, I'll get the plates ready for you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
