accompagnement
/a.kɔ̃.paɲ.mɑ̃/masculine
The English phrase "side dish" is translated into French as accompagnement.
An accompagnement is a serving of food meant to accompany a main dish. You might see this expressed as the full phrase plat d'accompagnement (literally "dish of accompaniment") on a menu to specify a side dish. Examples of such items include Gratin dauphinois, which is a creamy baked potato dish or Purée de céleri-rave, which is celeriac puree.
Meaning: serving of food meant as an accompanying dish (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word accompagnement is derived from the verb accompagner, which means "to accompany".
Which one should you use?
While an accompagnement is a side dish served alongside a main course, an entrée refers to a starter or appetizer.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is masculine, so it is preceded by the masculine articles un or le.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables and is pronounced /a.kɔ̃.paɲ.mɑ̃/.
Did you know?
- The word accompagner shares the same Latin root, 'companio', which means 'one who shares bread' (com- 'with' and panis 'bread').
- If you are at a formal French banquet, the accompagnements are often served 'à la française', meaning all components are placed on the table at once rather than being plated individually.
- While accompagnement is the standard term, you will often see garniture on French menus, which specifically refers to the vegetables or starch that decorate and complement the meat.
Examples in context
- Voulez-vous de la soupe ou de la salade comme plat d'accompagnement?Would you like soup or salad as a side dish?This sentence is useful for asking if someone wants a specific food as an accompagnement.Tatoeba #5385285 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #5385163 by 7evenbananas
- Les tomates peuvent être servies chaudes ou froides, comme entrée ou comme accompagnement.Tomatoes may be served hot or cold, as a starter or as a side dish.This sentence shows how a food item can be categorized as an entrée or an accompagnement.Tatoeba #895378 by sacredceltic, translation #1250814 by niceguydave
- Pourrais-je avoir un plat d'accompagnement avec mon steak, s'il vous plaît?Could I have a side dish with my steak, please?
- Le gigot d'agneau était délicieux avec sa garniture de légumes.The leg of lamb was delicious with its vegetable side dish.
- Je vais prendre une salade en accompagnement de mon plat principal.I'll have a salad as a side dish with my main course.
- Quel accompagnement préférez-vous avec ce poisson ?Which side dish do you prefer with this fish?
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are ordering dinner at a restaurant.
- LucasJe vais prendre le poisson grillé.I'll have the grilled fish.
- ManonEt pour l'accompagnement, tu veux quoi ?And for the side dish, what do you want?
- LucasDes légumes vapeur, s'il vous plaît.Steamed vegetables, please.
- ManonC'est un excellent choix, Lucas.That's an excellent choice, Lucas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “side dish” translations and entries accompagnement, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
