filet
/fi.lɛ/masculine
The English phrase 'tenderloin' is filet in French.
The word refers to the tenderest part of a loin of meat.
Meaning: tenderest part of a loin of meat (noun)
Which one should you use?
In a culinary context, filet refers to the lean, tender strip of meat, whereas faux-filet refers to the sirloin.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /fi.lɛ/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The term filet is also used in sports to describe the net in tennis or volleyball. This refers to the mesh structure of the net.
- The word filet is the diminutive form of fil, meaning 'thread'.
- While 'filet' describes the meat, the expression un filet de is frequently used to describe a 'drizzle' or 'thin stream' of a liquid, like olive oil.
Examples in context
- Le filet provient d'un muscle qui est peu sollicité, il n'est donc pas coriace.The tenderloin is cut from a muscle that does not do much work, so it is not tough.This sentence is useful for explaining that the filet comes from a muscle that is not heavily used and is therefore not tough.Tatoeba #9032339 by Micsmithel, translation #8860432 by AlanF_US
- Nous avons un excellent châteaubriand au menu ce soir.We have an excellent châteaubriand on the menu tonight.
- Le filet de veau est tendre et savoureux.The veal tenderloin is tender and flavorful.
- Je voudrais un filet pour mon dîner.I would like a tenderloin for my dinner.
- Ce filet est vraiment très tendre.This tenderloin is really very tender.
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are ordering dinner at a restaurant.
- HugoQu'est-ce que tu vas choisir, Chloé ?What are you going to choose, Chloé?
- ChloéJe vais prendre le filet mignon.I'll have the beef tenderloin.
- HugoC'est un excellent choix pour ce soir.That is an excellent choice for tonight.
- ChloéOui, j'adore le filet bien cuit.Yes, I love the tenderloin well done.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tenderloin” translations and entries filet, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries filet, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
