toque
/tɔk/feminine
The French word for "toque" is toque.
A toque refers specifically to the tall white hat worn by chefs. While the word refers to the hat itself, it is often used in the full phrase toque de cuisinier to specify this professional piece of headwear.
Meaning: tall white hat worn by chefs (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
As a feminine noun, toque is preceded by the feminine articles la or une.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɔk/
Did you know?
- In professional French kitchens, the pleats in a toque were traditionally said to represent the number of ways a chef knew how to prepare an egg.
- The French toque is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'cloth', as both derive from the Proto-West Germanic word *dōk.
- In Canada, the word toque has evolved to mean a knitted winter cap rather than a chef's hat. An English speaker in Quebec might be confused if they ask for a toque in a kitchen.
Examples in context
- Le chef porte la toque avec élégance et autorité.The chef wears the toque with elegance and authority.
- J'adore ton nouveau bonnet ! Il te va à merveille.I love your new toque! It suits you perfectly.
- La toque est très haute.The chef's hat is very tall.
- Il a une toque blanche.He is wearing a white hat.
- Elle a posé sa toque sur la table.She placed her toque on the table.
Example conversation
In a professional kitchen during a shift change.
- ChloéOù est ma toque, Nathan ?Where is my chef's hat, Nathan?
- NathanElle est sur l'étagère.It is on the shelf.
- ChloéMerci, je la mets tout de suite.Thanks, I'll put it on right away.
- NathanD'accord, on commence le service.Okay, let's start service.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “toque” translations and entries toque, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries toque, CC BY-SA 4.0.
