There’s no better way to start your day than with a delicious breakfast, and what better cuisine to explore than the French breakfast culture? From flaky croissants to creamy yogurts, French breakfasts are not only delightful to the taste buds but also an excellent opportunity to practice your French language skills. In this article, we will dive into the essential French vocabulary and expressions you’ll need to cook and enjoy a traditional French breakfast.
Whether you’re planning a trip to France or simply love the idea of bringing a bit of French culture into your home, this guide will help you master the language of French breakfast. Plus, if you’re looking to perfect your French language skills beyond just the kitchen, consider joining the French classes at NLS Norwegian Language School in Oslo. You can sign up for our courses here.
1. French Breakfast Vocabulary
To begin, let’s explore the basic words and phrases you’ll need to make breakfast in French. Here are some essential terms that will help you not only cook but also understand a French breakfast menu.
Breakfast-Related Words in French
- Le petit déjeuner: Breakfast
- Le café: Coffee
- Le thé: Tea
- Le chocolat chaud: Hot chocolate
- Le lait: Milk
- Le jus d’orange: Orange juice
- Les viennoiseries: Pastries (such as croissants, pain au chocolat)
- La baguette: Baguette (a type of long French bread)
- Le pain: Bread
- Le beurre: Butter
- La confiture: Jam
- Le miel: Honey
- Le yaourt: Yogurt
- Les fruits: Fruits
- Les œufs: Eggs
- Le jambon: Ham
- Le fromage: Cheese
- Les céréales: Cereal
Now that you’ve got a basic understanding of the common breakfast terms in French, let’s explore how to use them in the kitchen.
Essential Kitchen Verbs
Cooking involves actions, and understanding these actions in French will help you follow recipes and instructions with ease. Here are some common French verbs related to cooking breakfast:
- Cuire: To cook
- Préparer: To prepare
- Mélanger: To mix
- Battre: To beat (as in beating eggs)
- Casser: To break (like breaking an egg)
- Chauffer: To heat
- Faire griller: To toast
- Beurrer: To butter
- Étaler: To spread (as in spreading butter or jam)
- Ajouter: To add
- Couper: To cut
- Verser: To pour
- Servir: To serve
- Manger: To eat
Mastering these verbs will allow you to confidently navigate a French kitchen or even follow French breakfast recipes like a local chef.
2. Popular French Breakfast Dishes
A typical French breakfast is quite different from the hearty, cooked breakfasts popular in places like the UK or USA. The French breakfast is usually light, sweet, and often enjoyed with a warm drink like coffee or tea. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular breakfast dishes in France, alongside the French vocabulary you’ll need to make and enjoy them.
1. Le Croissant – The Classic French Pastry
Croissants are perhaps the most iconic element of a French breakfast. These buttery, flaky pastries are often enjoyed with coffee or hot chocolate. In a typical French home, croissants are purchased from the local boulangerie (bakery), but you can also make them yourself at home.
- Ingrédients (Ingredients):
- Farine (Flour)
- Beurre (Butter)
- Levure (Yeast)
- Sel (Salt)
- Sucre (Sugar)
Once you’ve mastered the basics of croissant-making, you’ll never look at this humble pastry the same way again!
2. Le Pain au Chocolat – A Sweet Treat
This pastry is similar to a croissant but filled with delicious chocolat (chocolate). It’s a favorite among children and adults alike. Just like croissants, le pain au chocolat is best enjoyed with a hot drink.
- Instructions:
- Préchauffez (Preheat) the oven to 180°C.
- Beurrez (Butter) the pastry and ajoutez (add) the chocolate filling.
- Roulez (Roll) the dough and place it on a baking sheet.
- Faites cuire (Bake) for 20 minutes.
3. Les Œufs Brouillés – Scrambled Eggs
Although eggs are not the most common breakfast item in France, les œufs brouillés (scrambled eggs) are sometimes enjoyed, especially on weekends. They’re easy to prepare and can be enhanced with fromage (cheese), jambon (ham), or even some légumes (vegetables).
- Comment faire des œufs brouillés (How to make scrambled eggs):
- Cassez (Break) the eggs into a bowl.
- Battez (Beat) the eggs with a fork.
- Faites fondre (Melt) a little butter in a pan.
- Ajoutez (Add) the eggs and cook them gently, stirring occasionally.
4. La Tartine – Bread with Toppings
A traditional French breakfast often includes la tartine, which is simply a slice of baguette or other bread topped with butter, jam, or honey. La tartine can be enjoyed with either beurre (butter) and confiture (jam) or miel (honey).
- Comment préparer une tartine:
- Coupez (Cut) a slice of bread.
- Beurrez (Butter) the bread.
- Étalez (Spread) your choice of jam or honey on top.
5. Le Yaourt avec des Fruits – Yogurt with Fruit
For a lighter and healthier breakfast, many French people enjoy yaourt (yogurt) with fruits (fruit). This dish is simple to prepare, and you can use seasonal fruits like fraises (strawberries), framboises (raspberries), or bananes (bananas).
- Instructions:
- Versez (Pour) the yogurt into a bowl.
- Coupez (Cut) the fruit into small pieces.
- Ajoutez (Add) the fruit to the yogurt.
3. Ordering Breakfast in a French Café
If you find yourself in a French café, being able to order breakfast confidently in French will not only make your experience smoother but also more enjoyable. Here are some useful phrases and vocabulary to help you order breakfast like a local.
Common Phrases for Ordering Breakfast
- Je voudrais un café, s’il vous plaît.: I would like a coffee, please.
- Un croissant, s’il vous plaît.: A croissant, please.
- Je vais prendre un jus d’orange.: I’ll have an orange juice.
- Avez-vous du pain au chocolat?: Do you have any pain au chocolat?
- Puis-je avoir du beurre et de la confiture, s’il vous plaît?: May I have some butter and jam, please?
- L’addition, s’il vous plaît.: The bill, please.
Key Vocabulary for Ordering in a Café
- La carte: The menu
- Un café au lait: Coffee with milk
- Un expresso: Espresso
- Un thé: Tea
- Une viennoiserie: A pastry
- Un croque-monsieur: A grilled ham and cheese sandwich (sometimes eaten for breakfast)
- Un verre d’eau: A glass of water
By practicing these phrases and learning the vocabulary, you’ll feel confident ordering your breakfast in any French-speaking country.
4. Learn French While Cooking!
Cooking breakfast in French is not only a great way to enhance your culinary skills but also a fun and interactive way to practice the language. By using French terms for ingredients, kitchen tools, and actions, you can make learning the language more immersive and enjoyable.
If you’re interested in taking your French to the next level, consider enrolling in French classes at NLS Norwegian Language School in Oslo. Our expert instructors provide a supportive environment where you can develop your language skills at your own pace. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your existing skills, our classes are perfect for anyone who wants to master the French language.
You can sign up for our French courses here and begin your language journey today!
Conclusion
French breakfasts are simple, elegant, and rich in flavor. Whether you’re enjoying a croissant, preparing les œufs brouillés, or savoring a bowl of yaourt avec des fruits, you’ll find that breakfast is the perfect time to immerse yourself in both French culture and language.
By familiarizing yourself with the vocabulary and phrases we’ve covered in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate a French breakfast menu, order your favorite dishes in a café, or even cook up a delicious breakfast at home using authentic French recipes.
And if you want to continue learning and improving your French language skills, remember that NLS Norwegian Language School in Oslo offers a variety of courses tailored to your needs. You can sign up for our French classes here and take your language learning to new heights. Bon appétit!
