In French, there are various ways to express the concept of “to go” when it comes to food. The choice of word or phrase often depends on the context, formality, and region. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways of expressing “to go” in French, providing many examples and useful tips along the way.
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Formal Ways to Say “To Go”
When it comes to formal situations, such as in restaurants or polite conversations, you can use the following expressions to say “to go” in French:
1. Emporter: This verb directly translates to “to take away” in English. It is commonly used in restaurant situations when ordering food to go. For example: “Je voudrais un sandwich à emporter, s’il vous plaît” (I would like a sandwich to go, please).
2. Prendre à emporter: Similar to the previous expression, this phrase means “to take away.” It is commonly used when stating how you want your food. For example: “Je vais prendre une pizza à emporter” (I will take a pizza to go).
3. Rapporter: This verb is used when you want to say “to bring back” in the context of taking food away. For instance: “Je vais rapporter ces pâtisseries à la maison” (I will bring these pastries home).
Informal Ways to Say “To Go”
In informal situations, such as among friends or in casual conversations, French speakers often use different expressions to convey the idea of “to go.” Here are some commonly used informal phrases:
1. Partir avec: This expression literally means “to leave with.” It is commonly used when talking about grabbing food to take away. For example: “Je vais partir avec une glace” (I will leave with an ice cream to go).
2. Prendre pour emporter: Used to say “to take for take-out.” It is frequently heard when ordering food for takeaway. For instance: “On va prendre des sushis pour emporter” (We’ll take some sushi to go).
3. Emporter avec soi: This phrase translates to “to take with oneself.” It is used when you want to indicate taking food away. For example: “N’oublie pas d’emporter tes restes avec toi” (Don’t forget to take your leftovers with you).
Regional Variations
While French speakers around the world generally use the expressions mentioned above, there can be slight regional variations depending on the location. Here are a few examples:
1. In Quebec, Canada, the phrase apporter pour emporter is commonly used to mean “to bring for take-out.”
2. In various regions of France, especially in the south, you might come across the phrase prendre à la route which means “to take for the road.” It implies taking away food for a journey or road trip.
Tips and Usage Examples
To help you use these expressions more effectively, here are some additional tips and examples:
- Use appropriate articles: When ordering food to go, make sure to include the appropriate articles. For example, “Je voudrais un café à emporter, s’il vous plaît” (I would like a coffee to go, please).
- Include polite phrases: When interacting with restaurant staff, it’s always polite to use phrases like “s’il vous plaît” (please) and “merci beaucoup” (thank you very much) along with your request.
Example: “Bonjour, je vais prendre un croissant à emporter, s’il vous plaît. Merci beaucoup!” (Hello, I’ll take a croissant to go, please. Thank you very much!)
- Specify the destination: If you mention where you are taking the food, it can help in understanding your request better. For instance: “Je vais prendre ces pâtes à emporter chez moi” (I will take these pastas home).
- Avoid literal translations: While translating directly from English to French can sometimes work, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the specific expressions used in French to sound more natural and native-like.
Example: Instead of saying “Je vais aller,” use “Je vais partir” when indicating that you’re leaving with food.
By using these expressions, you’ll be able to confidently order food to go or articulate your desire to take leftovers home in French, whether in formal or informal settings. Bon appétit!
