Cooking dinner with a recipe | Learn French in English

About This Lesson

Use Cooking dinner with a recipe to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Cette recette a l'air assez simple pour le dîner.

set ruh-SET ah LAIR ah-SAY sahm-PLUH poor luh dee-NAY This recipe looks simple enough for dinner.

Je peux couper les légumes pendant que tu fais bouillir l'eau.

zhuh puh koo-PAY lay lay-GOOM pahn-DAHN kuh too fay boo-YEER loh I can chop the vegetables while you boil water.

La soupe doit cuire pendant combien de temps ?

lah soop dwah kweer pahn-DAHN kohm-BYAN duh tahn How long should the soup cook?

Laisse-la cuire jusqu'à ce que les légumes soient tendres.

less-lah kweer zhoos-KAH suh kuh lay lay-GOOM swah tahn-DRUH Let it cook until the vegetables are soft.

Est-ce qu'on doit la goûter avant d'ajouter plus de sel ?

ess-kuh ohn dwah lah goo-TAY ah-VAHN dah-zhoo-TAY ploo duh sell Should we taste it before we add more salt?

Goûte-la d'abord.

GOO-tlah dah-BOR Taste it first.

Ensuite, on peut l'assaisonner avec soin.

ahn-SWEET ohn puh lah-say-zoh-NAY ah-VEK SWAN Then we can season it carefully.

La soupe a meilleur goût maintenant.

lah soop ah may-YUR goo mah(n)-tuh-NAHN The soup tastes better now.

La prochaine fois, on pourra ajouter plus d'herbes.

lah proh-SHEN fwah ohn poo-RAH ah-zhoo-TAY ploo DAIRB Next time we can add more herbs.

Word by Word

Cette “Cette” means “this” and points to the recipe being discussed. It is used directly before the noun “recette”, as in “Cette recette”. In a new example, you could use “Cette soupe” for “this soup”.

recette “Recette” means “recipe”, the set of instructions they are using to cook dinner. It commonly appears with a determiner, as in “Cette recette”. You would use it when talking about instructions for preparing a dish.

a l'air “A l'air” means “looks” or “seems” in “Cette recette a l'air assez simple”. Together, “a” and “l'air” form the expression used to give an impression about something. The pattern “avoir l'air + adjective” is reusable for describing how something seems.

assez “Assez” means “quite” or “sufficiently” here, showing that the recipe seems simple enough for dinner. It comes before the adjective “simple” in “assez simple”. You can reuse “assez + adjective” when describing something as sufficiently or fairly a certain way.

simple “Simple” means “simple” here and describes the recipe as easy enough for dinner. It follows “assez” in “assez simple”. You would use it when describing a recipe, task, or plan that is not complicated.

pour “Pour” means “for” and connects the recipe with the intended meal, “le dîner”. The pattern “pour + noun” identifies who or what something is intended for. You can use it to say what an activity or object is for.

le “Le” means “the” before “dîner” in “pour le dîner”. It introduces this specific meal as the occasion for using the recipe. The pattern “le + noun” is used with a masculine singular noun.

dîner “Dîner” means “dinner” here, the evening meal they are preparing. In “pour le dîner”, it names the meal the recipe is intended for. You would use it when talking about plans or food for the evening meal.

Je “Je” means “I” and identifies the person offering to chop the vegetables. It appears before “peux” in “Je peux couper”. The pattern “Je peux + infinitive” is useful for saying what you can do.

peux “Peux” means “can” in “Je peux couper les légumes”. It expresses ability or willingness in this offer and is followed by the infinitive “couper”. You can reuse “Je peux + infinitive” when offering to do something.

couper “Couper” means “to chop” or “to cut” the vegetables in this cooking task. It follows “Je peux” and keeps its infinitive form in “Je peux couper”. You would use it with an object such as “les légumes” when saying what you will cut.

les “Les” means “the” before the plural noun “légumes”. It introduces the specific vegetables being prepared. The pattern “les + plural noun” is used for several known things.

légumes “Légumes” means “vegetables”, the food being chopped for the soup. It appears after “les” in “les légumes”. You would use it when talking about vegetables as ingredients or food.

pendant “Pendant” contributes the idea of time during which another action happens in “pendant que tu fais bouillir l'eau”. It is followed here by “que” and a clause, forming “pendant que”. You can reuse “pendant que + clause” to describe two actions happening at the same time.

que “Que” completes the time expression “pendant que” in “pendant que tu fais bouillir l'eau”. It introduces the clause about what the other person is doing while the vegetables are chopped. In this dialogue, its meaning is understood together with “pendant”, not as a separate “that”.

tu “Tu” means “you” and refers to the person who is boiling the water. It appears before “fais” in “tu fais bouillir l'eau”. You use it when addressing one person informally.

fais “Fais” means “do” or “make” in the expression “fais bouillir l'eau”, where it helps express “boil the water”. It is followed by “bouillir” and the object “l'eau”. The pattern “faire + infinitive” can describe causing or having an action happen.

bouillir “Bouillir” means “to boil” in “faire bouillir l'eau”. It remains in the infinitive after “fais”. You would use it when talking about bringing water or another liquid to the boiling point.

l'eau “L'eau” means “the water” and is the liquid being boiled. The form combines the article “l'” with “eau” because the noun begins with a vowel sound. You would use it as the object after an expression such as “faire bouillir”.

La “La” means “the” before “soupe” in “La soupe doit cuire”. It introduces the specific soup they are preparing. The same written word also appears later as the object pronoun in “Laisse-la”, but here it is the article before a noun.

soupe “Soupe” means “soup”, the dish they are cooking and tasting. It appears after “La” in “La soupe”. You would use it when talking about soup as a meal or dish.

doit “Doit” means “must” or “should” in “La soupe doit cuire”, expressing the cooking requirement being asked about. It is followed by the infinitive “cuire”. The pattern “devoir + infinitive” is used for something that is required or expected.

cuire “Cuire” means “to cook” in “La soupe doit cuire”. It follows “doit” in the infinitive and describes the soup becoming cooked. You would use it when talking about food cooking or being cooked.

combien “Combien” asks “how much” or “how many”; in “pendant combien de temps”, it asks about the length of time. It is used with “de temps” to form a question about duration. The pattern “combien de + noun” asks about an amount.

de “De” is part of the duration expression “combien de temps”, meaning “how much time” or “how long”. It comes directly before the noun “temps”. You can reuse “combien de + noun” when asking about an amount.

temps “Temps” means “time” in “pendant combien de temps”, which asks how long the soup should cook. It follows “de” in this duration expression. You would use it when asking or talking about the length of an activity.

Laisse-la “Laisse-la” means “let it” in the instruction “Laisse-la cuire”, referring to letting the soup continue cooking. It combines the command “Laisse” with “la”, which refers to the soup, and is followed by “cuire”. The pattern “Laisse + object pronoun + infinitive” can give an instruction to let something do or undergo an action.

jusqu'à “Jusqu'à” means “until” and sets the endpoint of cooking in “jusqu'à ce que les légumes soient tendres”. It introduces the condition that must be reached before stopping. Here it is followed by “ce que” and a clause.

ce “Ce” is part of the fixed conjunction “jusqu'à ce que”, which means “until” in this sentence. It does not independently mean “this” or “that” here; its function is understood with “que”. Use the complete pattern “jusqu'à ce que + clause” to state an endpoint or condition.

soient “Soient” means “are” in the clause “les légumes soient tendres”, describing the condition that the vegetables must become tender. It appears after “jusqu'à ce que” in this dialogue. The pattern “jusqu'à ce que + clause” is used when an action continues until a condition is met.

tendres “Tendres” means “soft” or “tender” and describes the cooked vegetables in “les légumes soient tendres”. It follows “les légumes” and gives the condition for stopping the cooking. You would use it to describe food that has become soft enough to eat.

Est-ce “Est-ce” is part of “Est-ce qu'on doit la goûter”, a question structure asking whether they should taste the soup. It works together with “que” to introduce the question. The pattern “Est-ce que + sentence” is a common way to ask a yes-or-no question.

qu'on “Qu'on” is the contracted form used in “Est-ce qu'on doit la goûter”, introducing “we” as the people who may taste the soup. It combines “que” with “on”. In this dialogue, the complete pattern “Est-ce qu'on doit + infinitive” asks whether they should do something.

goûter “Goûter” means “to taste” in “la goûter” and refers to tasting the soup before adding salt. It appears after the object pronoun “la”. You would use it when sampling food or drink to check its flavor.

avant “Avant” means “before” and introduces the action that must happen first in “avant d'ajouter plus de sel”. It is followed here by “d'ajouter” because the next action is expressed with an infinitive. The pattern “avant de + infinitive” is reusable for saying that one action happens before another.

d'ajouter “D'ajouter” means “to add” in “avant d'ajouter plus de sel”. It is the form of “de” before the infinitive “ajouter”, and it completes the pattern “avant de + infinitive”. You can use this pattern to describe an action that should happen before adding or doing something else.

plus “Plus” means “more” in “plus de sel”, indicating an additional amount of salt. It comes before “de” and the noun in the quantity pattern “plus de + noun”. You can reuse this pattern when asking for or describing a larger amount.

sel “Sel” means “salt”, the seasoning they may add after tasting the soup. It appears in the quantity expression “plus de sel”. You would use it when talking about seasoning food or adjusting its flavor.

Goûte-la “Goûte-la” means “taste it” and is a direct instruction to taste the soup first. It combines the command “Goûte” with “la”, referring to the soup. The pattern “imperative + object pronoun” is useful for giving a short instruction involving a known object.

d'abord “D'abord” means “first” and shows that tasting should happen before seasoning. It appears after the instruction “Goûte-la”. You can use it to mark the first step in a sequence.

Ensuite “Ensuite” means “then” or “next” and introduces the action that follows tasting the soup. It appears at the beginning of “Ensuite, on peut l'assaisonner”. You would use it to connect steps in a recipe or other sequence.

on “On” means “we” here, referring to the two people cooking together. It is the subject of “peut” in “on peut l'assaisonner”. You can use “on” in everyday French to talk about a shared action or plan.

peut “Peut” means “can” in “on peut l'assaisonner”, expressing that they are able or allowed to season the soup. It is followed by the infinitive “l'assaisonner”. The pattern “on peut + infinitive” is useful for suggesting a possible next action.

l'assaisonner “L'assaisonner” means “to season it” in “on peut l'assaisonner”, referring to the soup. It combines the object pronoun “l'” with the infinitive “assaisonner”. The pattern “peut + object pronoun + infinitive” lets you say that you can do an action to a known object.

avec “Avec” means “with” in “avec soin”, describing the careful manner of seasoning the soup. It introduces the noun “soin”. You can reuse “avec + noun” to describe how an action is carried out.

soin “Soin” means “care” in the expression “avec soin”, meaning that they season the soup carefully. It follows “avec” and forms a manner expression with it. You would use “avec soin” when emphasizing careful handling or attention.

a “A” means “has” in “La soupe a meilleur goût maintenant”, expressing that the soup has a better flavor now. It is followed by “meilleur goût” in this expression about taste. You can use “avoir + goût” to describe how food or drink tastes.

meilleur “Meilleur” means “better” and compares the soup’s taste now with its earlier taste in “a meilleur goût”. It appears before the noun “goût”. You would use it when saying that a flavor, result, or quality has improved.

goût “Goût” means “taste” or “flavor” in “La soupe a meilleur goût”. It names the quality being compared after the soup is seasoned. The expression “avoir bon goût” or a related form with “goût” can describe the flavor of food.

maintenant “Maintenant” means “now” and marks the present moment after the soup has been tasted and seasoned. It appears at the end of “La soupe a meilleur goût maintenant”. You would use it to contrast the current state with an earlier one.

prochaine “Prochaine” means “next” in “La prochaine fois”, referring to the next occasion when they cook the recipe. It appears before “fois” in this time expression. You can reuse “la prochaine fois” when talking about what will happen on a future occasion.

fois “Fois” means “time” or “occasion” in “La prochaine fois”. Together with “prochaine”, it refers to the next occasion for cooking. You would use it in expressions that refer to a particular occasion rather than a duration.

pourra “Pourra” means “will be able to” in “on pourra ajouter plus d'herbes”, referring to what they can do next time. It is followed by the infinitive “ajouter”. The pattern “on pourra + infinitive” is useful for discussing a possible future action.

ajouter “Ajouter” means “to add” in “on pourra ajouter plus d'herbes”. It follows “pourra” in the infinitive and names the action of putting more herbs into the recipe. You would use it with an object such as “plus d'herbes” or another ingredient.

d'herbes “D'herbes” means “of herbs” in the quantity expression “plus d'herbes”, referring to an additional amount of herbs. It combines “de” with the plural noun “herbes” before a vowel sound. The pattern “plus de + noun” is reusable for saying “more” of an ingredient or other thing.

Grammar Points

d'abord ..., ensuite ...

D'abord, couper les légumes; ensuite, faire bouillir.

dah-BOR, koo-PAY lay lay-GOOM; ahn-SWEET, fair boo-YEER

First, chop the vegetables; then, boil them.

These adverbs organize actions in sequence: d'abord introduces the first step, and ensuite introduces the next one.

avec soin

Assaisonner avec soin pour un meilleur goût.

ah-say-zoh-NAY ah-VEK SWAN poor uhn may-YUR GOO

Season carefully for a better taste.

Avec soin is a fixed adverbial phrase meaning “carefully”; it explains how an action is performed.

French Vocabulary

ajouter verb

ah-zhoo-TAY to add

assez adv

ah-SAY quite; enough

couper verb

koo-PAY to chop; to cut

cuire verb

kweer to cook

d'abord adv

dah-BOR first; at first

dîner noun

dee-NAY dinner

faire bouillir phrase

fair boo-YEER to boil

goûter verb

goo-TAY to taste

légumes noun

lay-GOOM vegetables

recette noun

ruh-SET recipe

soupe noun

soop soup

tendres adj

tahn-DRUH soft; tender

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Taste it first.

Show Answer

Goûte-la d'abord.

Then we can season it carefully.

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Ensuite, on peut l'assaisonner avec soin.

The soup tastes better now.

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La soupe a meilleur goût maintenant.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to chop; to cut

Show Answer

couper

recipe

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recette

to cook

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cuire

soft; tender

Show Answer

tendres