extrait de vanille
masculine
The English phrase vanilla extract is translated into French as extrait de vanille.
extrait de vanille refers to the liquid used in cooking.
Meaning: liquid used in cooking (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of extrait (extract) and de vanille (of vanilla).
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun extrait is masculine. This means you use the masculine indefinite article un to say un extrait de vanille (a vanilla extract). Because extrait begins with a vowel, the definite article le elides to l’ in the phrase l'extrait de vanille (the vanilla extract).
Did you know?
- In French, the word extrait is used not just for cooking but also to describe a short musical piece or a written excerpt from a book.
- The word vanille comes from the Spanish diminutive vainilla, which literally means 'little pod'.
- While extrait de vanille is the liquid, professional French bakers often insist on using a gousse de vanille, which is a whole vanilla pod, for a more authentic taste.
Examples in context
- Ajoutez l'extrait de vanille.Add the vanilla extract.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use extrait de vanille in a command.Tatoeba #5776427 by Thomz, translation #5776204 by Hybrid
- J'utilise souvent de l'extrait de vanille.I often use vanilla extract.
- L'extrait de vanille est dans le placard.The vanilla extract is in the cupboard.
- Je préfère utiliser de l'extrait de vanille pur.I prefer using pure vanilla extract.
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are in the kitchen preparing a cake.
- ChloéEst-ce qu'il reste de l'extrait de vanille ?Is there any vanilla extract left?
- LucasOui, il en reste un peu dans le flacon.Yes, there is a little bit left in the bottle.
- ChloéParfait, je vais l'ajouter au mélange.Perfect, I am going to add it to the mixture.
- LucasN'oublie pas de bien mélanger, Chloé.Don't forget to mix it well, Chloé.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vanilla extract” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, extrait, vanille, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
