steak bien cuit
The English phrase "well done steak" is translated into French as steak bien cuit.
The phrase describes a steak that has been cooked thoroughly throughout. When ordering, it is common to use the indefinite article un before the phrase, resulting in un steak bien cuit.
What does it mean word for word?
The part bien cuit literally means "well cooked".
Which one should you use?
To order a rare steak instead of a well-done one, use the word saignant.
Did you know?
- In France, ordering bien cuit is often seen as a culinary faux pas because it is believed to destroy the flavor and texture of the meat.
- The French word for rare, saignant, literally means 'bleeding'.
- The word steak is a linguistic guest in French, having been borrowed directly from English rather than being a native French word.
Examples in context
- Je voudrais un steak bien cuit, s'il vous plaît.I would like a well done steak, please.
- Est-ce que vous préférez votre steak bien cuit ?Do you prefer your steak well done?
- Le chef a préparé un steak bien cuit pour elle.The chef prepared a well done steak for her.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are ordering food at a restaurant.
- LucasManon, comment veux-tu ton steak ?Manon, how do you want your steak?
- ManonJe préfère un steak bien cuit, merci Lucas.I prefer a well done steak, thank you Lucas.
- LucasEt pour moi, ce sera saignant.And for me, it will be rare.
- ManonD'accord, je vais commander pour nous deux.Okay, I am going to order for both of us.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bien, cuit, steak, CC BY-SA 4.0.
