How to Say “What’s for Dinner?” in French

Are you trying to impress your French-speaking friends or perhaps planning a trip to a Francophone region? Knowing how to ask “What’s for dinner?” in French will undoubtedly come in handy. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways of asking this question. We will also provide some regional variations but focus primarily on Standard French. So, let’s dive in and discover the delightful world of French cuisine!

Formal Ways to Ask “What’s for Dinner?”

If you’re in a formal setting or talking to someone you don’t know very well, it’s important to use appropriate language. Here are a few phrases you can use to politely inquire about the evening meal:

• Que servons-nous ce soir ? – Literally meaning “What are we serving tonight?”, this question is a polite way to ask about dinner in a formal setting.
• Qu’est-ce qui est prévu pour le dîner ? – This phrase translates to “What is planned for dinner?” It’s a sophisticated way to inquire about the evening meal.
• Pouvez-vous me dire ce qui est prévu pour le repas du soir ? – If you want to be extra polite, you can say, “Could you tell me what is planned for the evening meal?”

Informal Ways to Ask “What’s for Dinner?”

When you’re amongst friends or in a casual setting, you can use less formal language to ask about dinner. Here are some informal phrases to get the conversation started:

• Qu’est-ce qu’on mange ce soir ? – This is a common way to ask what’s for dinner among friends. It translates to “What are we eating tonight?”
• On mange quoi ce soir ? – A more colloquial version of the previous phrase, which simply means “What are we eating tonight?”

Note: It is important to adjust the pronoun “on” (meaning “we”) according to your specific situation. For example, if you’re speaking to one person, you would use “on mange quoi ce soir?” but when addressing a group, “qu’est-ce qu’on mange ce soir?” would be appropriate.

Regional Variations

While Standard French is widely understood and used across all Francophone regions, it’s worth mentioning some slight regional variations in asking about dinner:

In Quebec:

Quebecois French often uses the verb “souper” to mean “to have dinner.” So, instead of using “dîner,” you would ask:

• Qu’est-ce qu’on soupe ce soir ? – This is the Quebecois way of asking “What’s for dinner?” among friends.
• Qu’est-ce qu’on sert au souper ? – In a more formal setting, you can ask, “What is served for dinner?” using this phrase.

Remember that these regional variations are not essential to know, but they may come in handy if you find yourself in Quebec or conversing with Quebecois French speakers.

Tips and Examples

Here are some additional tips and examples to help you confidently ask “What’s for dinner?” in French:

• When asking about dinner, make sure to pronounce words with a soft and flowing tone. French is known for its elegant phonetics.
• If you’re unsure about the pronunciation of a particular phrase, you can use an online French pronunciation tool or listen to native French speakers to get a better idea.
• Remember to use appropriate French verbs like “manger” (to eat) or “souper” (to have dinner) to express the idea of dining.

Let’s now see some examples demonstrating how to ask about dinner in different situations:

Example 1 – Formal:

Person A: Pouvez-vous me dire ce qui est prévu pour le repas du soir ? (Can you tell me what is planned for the evening meal?)

Person B: Nous servirons du poulet rôti avec des légumes. (We will serve roasted chicken with vegetables.)

Person A: Ça semble délicieux ! (That sounds delicious!)

Example 2 – Informal:

Person A: On mange quoi ce soir ? (What are we eating tonight?)

Person B: J’ai préparé des pâtes à la carbonara. (I made carbonara pasta.)

Person A: Super, j’adore les pâtes à la carbonara ! (Great, I love carbonara pasta!)