Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| mettre la table | /mɛ.tʁə la tabl/ /me.tʁə la tabl/ |
| mettre le couvert | /mɛ.tʁə l(ə) ku.vɛʁ/ /me.tʁə l(ə) ku.vɛʁ/ |
| dresser la table | |
| dresser le couvert | /dʁɛ.se l(ə) ku.vɛʁ/ /dʁe.se l(ə) ku.vɛʁ/ |
To say 'set the table' in the sense of arranging plates, dishes, etc. in preparation for a meal, you can use several different forms. mettre la table is the most common, everyday way to express this. The phrase mettre le couvert is also a very common idiomatic way to say 'set the table' in many French-speaking regions, specifically meaning 'set the place settings'.
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrases involving dresser, the verb dresser literally means to arrange or to line up items in an orderly fashion.
Which one should you use?
While mettre la table is the most common everyday expression, mettre le couvert focuses on setting the place settings. You may also see the forms dresser la table or dresser le couvert, which utilize the verb meaning to arrange or line up items.
When do people say it?
In some French households, it is customary to place bread directly on the table rather than on individual plates.
Did you know?
- In traditional French etiquette, the knife is placed with the cutting edge facing the plate and the fork is often placed tines-down.
- The word couvert in mettre le couvert comes from the Latin word for 'covered'. This refers to the historical practice of using a tablecloth to cover the table before placing the dishes.
- While mettre la table is used for daily meals, dresser la table is often reserved for formal occasions or professional catering where precise alignment is required.
Examples in context
- Je peux mettre la table ?May I set the table?This example shows how to ask for permission using mettre la table.Tatoeba #5171878 by sacredceltic, translation #268720 by CM
- Peux-tu mettre la table ?Can you set the table?This example shows how to ask someone to perform the action using mettre la table.Tatoeba #11967309 by lbdx, translation #9028421 by Hybrid
- Il a aidé sa mère à mettre la table.He helped his mother set the table.This example shows how someone can help a person to mettre la table.Tatoeba #11927726 by lbdx, translation #7388561 by CH
- Dans quelques minutes, nous allons passer à table. Pourriez-vous dresser la table, s'il vous plaît?In a few minutes, we'll be sitting down for a meal. Could you please set the table?
- Je prépare le repas, est-ce que tu peux mettre la table, s'il te plaît?I'm preparing the meal, can you please set the table?
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A kitchen before dinner is served.
- LéaHugo, tu peux mettre la table ?Hugo, can you set the table?
- HugoOui, je vais mettre la table tout de suite.Yes, I will set the table right away.
- LéaMerci, le dîner sera bientôt prêt.Thank you, dinner will be ready soon.
- HugoD'accord, je m'en occupe.Okay, I'll take care of it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “set the table” translations and entries mettre la table, mettre le couvert, dresser le couvert, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries couvert, dresser, la, le, mettre, table, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
