au lait
The English phrase "with milk" is translated into French as au lait.
The phrase au lait is used to describe a drink that contains milk, such as coffee or tea. It is most commonly paired with café to form the standard term café au lait for coffee with milk.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this context, the preposition à is used to indicate the flavoring or the addition of an ingredient to a drink.
Did you know?
- If you ask for a 'café au lait' in a traditional French bistro, you may receive a wide, shallow bowl instead of a standard coffee cup. This is because milk-based coffee is historically a breakfast dish intended for dipping pastries.
- The French language distinguishes between au lait for a mixture and avec du lait for the act of adding milk, though both translate as 'with milk'.
- The word lait shares a common ancestor with the English word 'lactation', as both stem from the Proto-Indo-European root *ǵlákts.
Examples in context
- Où est le thé au lait ?Where is the tea with milk?This sentence is useful for locating a tea with milk.Tatoeba #624952 by qdii, translation #453458 by saasmath
- Deux cafés au lait, je vous prie.Two coffees with milk, please.This sentence is useful for ordering two coffees with milk.Tatoeba #484731 by Julien_PDC, translation #484733 by FeuDRenais
- Je ne bois jamais de thé au lait.I never drink tea with milk.This sentence is useful for stating that you never drink tea with milk.Tatoeba #3278103 by sicerabibax, translation #1811927 by marko
- Je voudrais un café avec du lait, s'il vous plaît.I would like a coffee with milk, please.
- Je préfère mon thé avec du lait ajouté.I prefer my tea with added milk.
- Pourriez-vous me préparer un bol de céréales avec du lait frais ?Could you prepare a bowl of cereals with fresh milk, please?
- Je prends toujours mon chocolat chaud avec du lait.I always have my hot chocolate with milk.
- Tu peux me préparer un café avec un peu de lait, s'il te plaît ?Can you make me a coffee with a little milk, please?
- J'adore mes crêpes avec du lait tiède.I love my pancakes with warm milk.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are at a breakfast cafe.
- GabrielTu veux un café au lait ?Do you want a coffee with milk?
- EmmaOui, s'il te plaît, Gabriel.Yes, please, Gabriel.
- GabrielJe commande un café au lait pour Emma.I'll order a coffee with milk for Emma.
- EmmaMerci beaucoup !Thank you very much!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lait, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
