The kitchen, or la cuisine, is central to daily life in France, where food and cooking play a significant cultural role. This vocabulary list will help you navigate the kitchen, understand recipes, and discuss food preparation with confidence.
1. Kitchen Tools and Utensils (Les Ustensiles de Cuisine)
These are the essential tools and utensils you’ll find in most kitchens.
- La poêle – Frying pan
- La casserole – Saucepan
- La marmite – Pot
- Le couteau – Knife
- La planche à découper – Cutting board
- Le fouet – Whisk
- La spatule – Spatula
- Le rouleau à pâtisserie – Rolling pin
- La cuillère en bois – Wooden spoon
- La louche – Ladle
- Le mixeur – Blender
- La râpe – Grater
- Le tamis – Sieve
- Le moulin à poivre – Pepper mill
- Le tire-bouchon – Corkscrew
- L’ouvre-boîte (m) – Can opener
- Le presse-ail – Garlic press
Example Sentence:
- Utilisez le fouet pour battre les œufs et la poêle pour les faire cuire. (Use the whisk to beat the eggs and the frying pan to cook them.)
2. Kitchen Appliances (Les Appareils de Cuisine)
Common kitchen appliances used for food preparation and cooking.
- Le four – Oven
- Le four à micro-ondes – Microwave oven
- Le réfrigérateur / Le frigo – Refrigerator / Fridge
- Le congélateur – Freezer
- Le lave-vaisselle – Dishwasher
- La cuisinière – Stove
- La hotte – Kitchen hood
- Le grille-pain – Toaster
- La cafetière – Coffee maker
- Le mixeur – Blender
- Le batteur électrique – Electric mixer
- Le robot de cuisine – Food processor
- Le presse-agrumes – Juicer
- Le cuiseur vapeur – Steamer
- Le four à pizza – Pizza oven
Example Sentence:
- J’ai préchauffé le four et sorti les légumes du frigo. (I preheated the oven and took the vegetables out of the fridge.)
3. Ingredients and Cooking Staples (Les Ingrédients et Produits de Base)
Basic ingredients that are commonly found in French kitchens.
- La farine – Flour
- Le sucre – Sugar
- Le sel – Salt
- Le poivre – Pepper
- L’huile d’olive (f) – Olive oil
- Le beurre – Butter
- Les œufs (m) – Eggs
- Le lait – Milk
- Le vinaigre – Vinegar
- Les herbes de Provence – Provençal herbs
- Le bouillon – Broth
- Le riz – Rice
- Les pâtes (f) – Pasta
- Les épices (f) – Spices
- Le pain – Bread
- Les légumes (m) – Vegetables
Example Sentence:
- J’utilise souvent les herbes de Provence et l’huile d’olive pour cuisiner. (I often use Provençal herbs and olive oil for cooking.)
4. Cooking Verbs (Les Verbes de Cuisine)
Common cooking actions you’ll see in recipes.
- Cuisiner – To cook
- Cuire – To cook (something)
- Faire bouillir – To boil
- Faire frire – To fry
- Griller – To grill
- Rôtir – To roast
- Émincer – To slice thinly
- Hacher – To chop
- Mélanger – To mix
- Battre – To whisk/beat
- Assaisonner – To season
- Ajouter – To add
- Faire sauter – To sauté
- Faire mijoter – To simmer
- Dorer – To brown
Example Sentence:
- Ajoutez les légumes dans la casserole et faites-les sauter pendant quelques minutes. (Add the vegetables to the saucepan and sauté them for a few minutes.)
5. Food Preparation (La Préparation des Aliments)
Words related to preparing ingredients for cooking.
- Éplucher – To peel
- Couper – To cut
- Râper – To grate
- Hacher – To mince
- Tamiser – To sift
- Pétrir – To knead
- Décongeler – To defrost
- Égoutter – To drain
- Mariner – To marinate
- Faire fondre – To melt
- Rouler – To roll (dough)
- Tartiner – To spread
Example Sentence:
- Il faut éplucher les pommes de terre et les couper en dés. (You need to peel the potatoes and cut them into cubes.)
6. Food Storage (Le Stockage des Aliments)
Key vocabulary for food storage and keeping ingredients fresh.
- Le réfrigérateur – Refrigerator
- Le congélateur – Freezer
- Le placard – Cupboard
- Le garde-manger – Pantry
- La boîte – Box
- Le pot – Jar
- La bouteille – Bottle
- Le film plastique – Plastic wrap
- Le papier aluminium – Aluminium foil
- Les bocaux (m) – Jars
- Le sachet – Bag
- Le sac de congélation – Freezer bag
- Les conserves (f) – Canned goods
Example Sentence:
- Rangez les restes dans le réfrigérateur et couvrez-les avec du film plastique. (Store the leftovers in the fridge and cover them with plastic wrap.)
7. Kitchen Safety and Hygiene (La Sécurité et l’Hygiène en Cuisine)
Vocabulary related to kitchen safety and cleanliness.
- Le tablier – Apron
- Les gants de cuisine – Oven mitts
- Le torchon – Dish towel
- Le savon – Soap
- Le liquide vaisselle – Dishwashing liquid
- La planche à découper – Cutting board
- Les bactéries – Bacteria
- Se laver les mains – To wash one’s hands
- Désinfecter – To disinfect
- Brûler – To burn (oneself)
- Les éclaboussures (f) – Splashes (hot oil, etc.)
Example Sentence:
- N’oubliez pas de vous laver les mains avant de cuisiner. (Don’t forget to wash your hands before cooking.)
Practice Quiz
Test your knowledge with this short quiz:
- How do you say “frying pan” in French?
- What is the French word for “to whisk”?
- Translate: “Add the olive oil and sauté the vegetables.”
- What is the French term for “freezer”?
- How do you say “cutting board” in French?
Conclusion
With this comprehensive French kitchen vocabulary, you’ll be able to cook, prepare, and organize food like a pro. From using the right tools to knowing how to follow recipes, these terms will help you feel confident in any French kitchen.
