lait entier
/lɛ ɑ̃.tje/masculine
The English phrase "whole milk" is translated into French as lait entier.
lait entier refers to milk from which nothing has been removed, typically containing around 3.5% fat.
Meaning: milk from which nothing has been removed (noun)
Which one should you use?
While lait entier refers to whole milk, the term lait écrémé is used to refer to skimmed milk.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because lait is a masculine noun, the adjective entier must take the masculine form.
Did you know?
- While lait entier is the standard term, the phrase lait cru describes raw milk that has not been pasteurized, a product highly prized by French gourmet enthusiasts.
- While lait entier is the term for whole milk, the French also use lait demi-écrémé for semi-skimmed milk, which is the most popular choice in France.
- The word 'entier' in 'lait entier' shares a common ancestor with the English word 'entire', both tracing back to the Latin 'integrum', meaning 'whole' or 'untouched'.
Examples in context
- C'est du lait entier.This is whole milk.This sentence is useful for identifying that something is lait entier.Tatoeba #11960797 by zogwarg, translation #8965052 by CK
- Je voudrais du lait entier, s'il vous plaît.I would like some whole milk, please.
- Est-ce que vous avez du lait entier?Do you have any whole milk?
- Puis-je avoir du lait entier?May I have some whole milk?
- Je veux du lait entier.I want some whole milk.
- J'peux avoir du lait entier?Can I have some whole milk?
- Je voudrais du lait entier, pas du lait écrémé.I would like some whole milk, not skim milk.
- Est-ce que vous avez du vrai lait entier?Do you have real whole milk?
- Je préfère le lait entier pour mon café.I prefer whole milk for my coffee.
- Est-ce qu'il reste du lait entier ?Is there any whole milk left?
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are in the kitchen in the morning.
- EmmaHugo, as-tu acheté du lait entier ?Hugo, did you buy whole milk?
- HugoOui, j'ai pris du lait entier à l'épicerie.Yes, I bought some whole milk at the grocery store.
- EmmaParfait, je vais faire un chocolat chaud.Perfect, I am going to make a hot chocolate.
- HugoTiens, le voilà dans le frigo.Here, it is in the fridge.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “whole milk” translations and entries lait entier, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries entier, lait, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
