When you find yourself in France or a French-speaking country and want to order your food to go, it’s essential to know how to express this request clearly. Whether you prefer a formal or informal approach, this guide will provide you with the necessary vocabulary, tips, and examples to help you navigate the French language with ease.
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Formal Ways to Say “To Go Order” in French
If you prefer to use formal language when ordering your food to go in French, the following phrases will be useful:
1. “Commander à emporter” (Kom-mahn-day ah ahm-por-tay)
This phrase is the most common and widely understood way to request a to-go order in a formal context. It directly translates to “to order to go.” For example:
Customer: Bonjour, je voudrais commander un café à emporter, s’il vous plaît. (Hello, I would like to order a coffee to go, please.)
Server: Bien sûr, tout de suite. (Certainly, right away.)
2. “Prendre à emporter” (Pron-druh ah ahm-por-tay)
Another common phrase to use formally is “prendre à emporter,” which means “to take away.” This expression is especially useful if you want to specify that you’ll take the items with you. Here’s an example:
Customer: Excusez-moi, puis-je prendre cette tarte à emporter, s’il vous plaît? (Excuse me, can I take this pie to go, please?)
Server: Certainement, je l’emballerai pour vous. (Certainly, I will wrap it up for you.)
Informal Ways to Say “To Go Order” in French
If you prefer a more casual and informal approach, the following phrases will be more suitable:
1. “Un truc à emporter” (Un trook ah ahm-por-tay)
“Un truc à emporter” is a colloquial way to express a to-go order in French. The word “truc” here acts as a placeholder for whatever item you wish to order. Let’s see an example:
Customer: Salut, je vais prendre un truc à emporter. (Hey, I’ll take something to go.)
Server: Pas de souci, que désires-tu? (No problem, what would you like?)
2. “Pour emporter” (Poor ahm-por-tay)
In a casual context, you can simply say “pour emporter,” meaning “for takeaway.” It’s a short and straightforward way to communicate your request. Let’s look at an example:
Customer: Coucou, je veux un burger pour emporter, s’il te plaît. (Hi, I want a burger to go, please.)
Server: Bien sûr, ça marche! (Of course, no problem!)
Tips for Ordering an “To Go Order” in French
1. Be polite and use greetings
When placing your order, it’s essential to be courteous and polite. Begin with a greeting like “Bonjour” (Hello) or “Salut” (Hi) followed by “s’il vous plaît” (please) or “s’il te plaît” (informal form of please). This will help create a positive interaction.
2. Specify your order
Clearly state the item(s) you wish to order, and if necessary, specify additional details, such as the size or any specific ingredients. Being precise will help avoid any confusion.
3. Ask for packaging
If you want your order properly wrapped or packaged, consider mentioning it, especially for delicate items like cakes or pastries. You can say “Pourriez-vous l’emballer, s’il vous plaît?” (Could you wrap it up, please?) or “Est-ce que vous avez un sac?” (Do you have a bag?). This will ensure your order is prepared correctly for takeaway.
Regional Variations
French is spoken across various regions, each with its own slight linguistic differences. However, when it comes to “to go orders,” the phrases mentioned earlier can be used universally throughout French-speaking countries.
That concludes our guide on how to say “to go order” in French. Whether you choose the formal expressions “commander à emporter” or “prendre à emporter,” or the more casual “un truc à emporter” or “pour emporter,” make sure to be polite and specific in your request. Bon appétit!
