vermicelle
/vɛʁ.mi.sɛl/feminine
The English phrase 'vermicelli' is translated into French as vermicelle.
The word refers to long, slender pasta.
Meaning: long, slender pasta (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is derived from the diminutive of ver (worm), literally meaning 'little worm'.
How does it change in a sentence?
While the singular form is vermicelle, the plural vermicelles is much more common when referring to the pasta in a culinary context.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables: /vɛʁ.mi.sɛl/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use the Italian plural 'vermicelli', but in French, the word ends in -e and follows French pluralization rules.
Did you know?
- A French dessert called vermicelles can consist of thin, fried pastry strands, showing that the word describes a shape rather than a specific ingredient.
- France uses vermicelle to describe both the wheat-based pasta and the translucent rice noodles used in Asian cuisine, whereas English often distinguishes between 'vermicelli' and 'rice noodles'.
- The word vermicelle is a doublet of vermisseau. While vermicelle was borrowed from Italian, vermisseau is the native French diminutive for 'little worm'.
Examples in context
- La recette traditionnelle demande d'ajouter un peu de pâtes vermicelles au bouillon.The traditional recipe calls for adding a small amount of vermicelli pasta to the broth.
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- LucasQu'est-ce qu'on mange aujourd'hui ?What are we eating today?
- LéaJ'ai envie de manger du vermicelle.I feel like eating vermicelli.
- LucasC'est une bonne idée, Léa.That is a good idea, Léa.
- LéaJe vais préparer le vermicelle tout de suite.I am going to prepare the vermicelli right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vermicelli” translations and entries vermicelle, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vermicelle, CC BY-SA 4.0.
