About This Lesson
Use Checking ingredients and substitutions to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
Avant de commencer à cuisiner, vérifions les ingrédients et les éventuels remplacements.
ah-VAHN duh koh-mahn-SAY ah kwee-zee-NAY, vay-ree-fee-OHN layz an-gray-dee-YAHN ay layz ay-van-too-EL rahm-plahs-MAHN. Before we start cooking, let's check the ingredients and any substitutions.
B
La recette prévoit des noix, et un invité est allergique aux fruits à coque.
lah ruh-SET pray-VWAHR day nwah, ay uhn an-vee-TAY ay ah-lair-ZHEEK oh frwee ah KOK. The recipe calls for walnuts, and one guest has a nut allergy.
A
Alors, nous devrions complètement retirer les noix.
ah-LOR noo duh-VREE-OHN kohm-playt-MAHN ruh-tee-RAY lay nwah. Then we should leave the walnuts out completely.
B
Des graines grillées donneraient quand même du croquant au plat.
day GREN gree-YAY doh-nuh-RAY kahn MEM duh kroh-KAHN oh PLAH. Toasted seeds would still give the dish some crunch.
A
Utilisons plutôt des graines et gardons la note sur l'allergie bien visible pendant que nous cuisinons.
oo-tee-lee-ZOHN ploo-TOH day GREN ay gar-DOHN lah noht soor lah-lair-ZHEE byan vee-ZEE-bluh pahn-DAHN kuh noo kwee-zee-NOHN. Let's use seeds instead, and keep the allergy note visible while we cook.
B
Comme c'est un plat cuit au four, nous devons quand même suivre les mesures de près.
kohm say uhn plah kwee oh FOOR, noo duh-VOHN kahn MEM swee-VR duh lay muh-ZOOR duh PRAY. Since this is a baked dish, we should still follow the measurements closely.
A
Avons-nous assez de lait, ou devrais-je en acheter davantage ?
ah-VOHN noo ah-SAY duh lay, oo duh-VRAY zhuh ahn ahsh-TAY dah-vahn-TAHZH? Do we have enough milk, or should I buy more?
B
Nous en avons assez, mais vérifie la date avant de l'utiliser.
noo-zahn ah-VOHN ah-SAY, may vay-ree-FEE lah DAHT ah-VAHN duh loo-tee-lee-ZAY. We have enough, but check the date before using it.
A
Les ingrédients ont l'air sûrs et prêts à être utilisés maintenant.
layz an-gray-dee-YAHN ohn LAIR SOOR ay PRAY ah EH-truh oo-tee-lee-ZAY mayn-tuh-NAHN. The ingredients look safe and ready now.
B
Cette vérification devrait nous aider à éviter les risques d'allergie et à conserver le bon goût du plat.
set vay-ree-fee-kah-SYOHN duh-VRAY noo ZAY-day ah ay-vee-TAY lay REESK dah-lair-ZHEE ay ah kohn-sair-VAY luh bohn GOO duh PLAH. This check should help us avoid allergy risks and keep the dish tasting right.Word by Word
Avant
In "Avant de commencer à cuisiner", "Avant" means before and places the cooking activity later in time. It introduces what happens before an action, especially before an infinitive. Use it when setting a time boundary for a task.
de
In "Avant de commencer", "de" links "Avant" to the following action, so the phrase means before starting. It is used here before the infinitive "commencer". This same linking function is useful after expressions that introduce an action.
commencer
In "Avant de commencer", "commencer" means to start the cooking activity. It appears as an infinitive after "de". Use it when naming the action that is beginning, such as a task or activity.
à
In "commencer à cuisiner", "à" links the verb "commencer" to the activity that begins. Here it introduces "cuisiner", so the meaning is to start cooking. It is useful after "commencer" when the next element is an action.
cuisiner
In "à cuisiner", "cuisiner" means to cook. It is the activity that the speakers are about to begin. Use it for preparing food, especially when talking about a cooking task.
vérifions
In "vérifions les ingrédients", "vérifions" proposes that the speakers check the ingredients together. The form includes the speaker and listener in the suggested action. It is useful when making a joint suggestion about something that follows as the object.
les
In "les ingrédients" and "Les ingrédients", "les" marks a specific plural group: the ingredients being discussed. It comes directly before the plural noun. Use it when referring to known plural items rather than introducing them as unspecified items.
ingrédients
In "les ingrédients", "ingrédients" means the ingredients needed for the recipe. They are the items the speakers check, use, and later judge safe. Use it for the separate foods or substances that make up a dish.
et
In "les ingrédients et les éventuels remplacements", "et" joins two related things to be checked: ingredients and possible replacements. It connects items without showing a contrast. Use it to add another item or action to the same thought.
éventuels
In "les éventuels remplacements", "éventuels" describes the replacements as possible options that may be needed. It modifies the plural noun "remplacements". Use it when an option is considered but is not yet certain to be used.
remplacements
In "les éventuels remplacements", "remplacements" means substitutions or replacements for ingredients. The context is choosing something else when an ingredient cannot be used. Use it for an alternative item that takes the place of another.
La
In "La recette", "La" means the and introduces the specific recipe under discussion. It comes before the singular noun "recette". Use this article when referring to a known feminine singular noun.
recette
In "La recette prévoit des noix", "recette" means recipe, the set of instructions and ingredients being followed. Here it is the subject that specifies the walnuts. Use it when discussing written cooking instructions.
prévoit
In "La recette prévoit des noix", "prévoit" means calls for or specifies. It presents walnuts as an ingredient included by the recipe. Use it when a recipe or plan specifies what is needed.
des
In "des noix" and "Des graines grillées", "des" introduces plural ingredients without presenting them as a specific previously measured quantity. It means some in these contexts. Use it before plural items when introducing ingredients or objects.
noix
In this dialogue, "noix" refers to the walnuts called for by the recipe and later removed because of an allergy. The same word appears in the phrase about leaving them out. Use it when identifying this ingredient in the recipe.
un
In "un invité", "un" introduces one guest who has the allergy. It presents the guest as a single, not previously specified person. Use it before a singular masculine noun when referring to one person or thing.
invité
In "un invité est allergique", "invité" means guest. This guest is the person whose allergy affects the ingredient choice. Use it for someone invited to a meal, event, or gathering.
est
In "un invité est allergique", "est" links the guest to the description "allergique". It means is in this statement about the guest's condition. Use it to connect a person or thing with a description or state.
allergique
In "est allergique aux fruits à coque", "allergique" means allergic. It describes the guest's reaction to tree nuts and is followed by what causes the allergy. Use it when stating that a person must avoid a particular substance.
aux
In "allergique aux fruits à coque", "aux" introduces what the person is allergic to. It is the contracted form of à and les before the plural phrase "fruits à coque". Use it after "allergique" to identify the substance concerned.
fruits à coque
The whole expression "fruits à coque" means tree nuts, the category that causes the guest's allergy. Within it, "fruits" names the items, "à" links them to "coque", and "coque" contributes the idea of a shell. Use the complete expression when identifying this allergy category.
Alors
In "Alors, nous devrions complètement retirer les noix", "Alors" means then and introduces the consequence of the allergy information. It connects the new decision to what was just said. Use it when drawing a conclusion or moving to the next action.
nous
In "nous devrions complètement retirer les noix" and "Nous en avons assez", "nous" refers to the speakers together. It can be the subject of an action or the group being described. Use it when referring to the speaker and at least one other person.
devrions
In "nous devrions complètement retirer les noix", "devrions" expresses what the speakers should do: remove the walnuts. It is a form of "devoir" used for advice or a recommended action. Use it before an infinitive when suggesting an appropriate action.
complètement
In "complètement retirer les noix", "complètement" means completely and strengthens the removal action. It shows that none of the walnuts should remain. Use it to indicate that an action is total rather than partial.
retirer
In "retirer les noix", "retirer" means to remove or take out the walnuts. It follows "devrions" as the action being recommended. Use it with the object that needs to be taken away.
graines
In "Des graines grillées", "graines" means seeds. They are proposed as an alternative ingredient that can add crunch to the dish. Use it for seeds considered as food or as part of a recipe.
grillées
In "Des graines grillées", "grillées" describes the seeds as toasted. It tells us how the seeds have been prepared before being added to the dish. Use it after a food noun when describing that it has been toasted or grilled.
donneraient
In "Des graines grillées donneraient quand même du croquant", "donneraient" means would give. It presents the possible result of using toasted seeds: adding crunch to the dish. It is a form of "donner" used to describe a proposed or expected result.
quand même
The whole expression "quand même" means still or nevertheless, showing that the seeds would add crunch despite the substitution. Within the expression, "quand" contributes the time-related element and "même" contributes the idea of sameness or continuation, but together they express this concessive meaning. Use it when saying that something remains true despite a change or difficulty.
du
In "du croquant", "du" introduces an amount of the crunch or crisp texture that the seeds would add. It is the contracted form of de and le. Use it before a masculine singular substance or quality when referring to some of it.
croquant
In "du croquant", "croquant" means crunch or crisp texture in the dish. It describes the eating quality that toasted seeds would provide. Use it when discussing the texture of food.
au
In "donneraient quand même du croquant au plat", "au" marks the dish as the thing receiving the added crunch. It is the contracted form of à and le. Use it when directing an effect or quality toward a masculine singular noun.
plat
In "au plat", "plat" means dish, referring to the food being prepared. It is the dish that receives the added crunch and whose taste should be preserved. Use it for a prepared course or cooked food as a whole.
Utilisons
In "Utilisons plutôt des graines", "Utilisons" proposes that the speakers use seeds together. It makes the alternative ingredient the object of the shared action. Use it when suggesting a joint choice or action.
plutôt
In "Utilisons plutôt des graines", "plutôt" means instead or rather. It signals the choice of seeds as the alternative to walnuts. Use it when selecting one option in place of another.
gardons
In "gardons la note sur l'allergie bien visible", "gardons" proposes keeping the allergy note visible. It is a shared suggestion about maintaining the note's state during cooking. Use it when suggesting that something remain available, present, or in a particular condition.
note
In "la note sur l'allergie", "note" means note, referring to the written reminder about the allergy. The speakers want to keep it visible while cooking. Use it for a short written reminder or piece of information.
sur
In "la note sur l'allergie", "sur" means about and identifies the subject of the note. It links the note to the allergy information. Use it when describing what a note, article, or discussion concerns.
l'allergie
In "la note sur l'allergie", "l'allergie" means the allergy already relevant to the meal. The article is written as "l'" before the vowel at the start of "allergie". Use this noun when referring to the allergic condition or the information about it.
bien
In "bien visible", "bien" strengthens the description of visibility, meaning clearly or fully visible. It emphasizes that the allergy note should be easy to notice. Use it before an adjective when emphasizing the resulting quality.
visible
In "bien visible", "visible" means visible or easy to see. It describes the desired state of the allergy note during cooking. Use it for something that can be seen or noticed.
pendant
In "pendant que nous cuisinons", "pendant" introduces the period during which the cooking takes place. Together with "que", it connects two actions happening at the same time. Use it when specifying the duration or simultaneous timing of an action.
que
In "pendant que nous cuisinons", "que" introduces the clause describing the activity happening during that period. It helps form the meaning while we cook. Use it after a time expression when the following part is a full clause.
cuisinons
In "pendant que nous cuisinons", "cuisinons" means we cook or we are cooking. It describes the activity happening while the note remains visible. Use it when the subject is the speaker together with others and the activity is cooking.
Comme
At the start of "Comme c'est un plat cuit au four", "Comme" means since or as and introduces the reason for following the measurements closely. It connects the nature of the dish with the recommendation. Use it to give a reason that supports the main statement.
c'est
In "Comme c'est un plat cuit au four", "c'est" means this is or it is. It presents the dish as oven-baked in the reason clause. Use it to identify or describe something in a direct statement.
cuit
In "un plat cuit au four", "cuit" means cooked or baked. It describes the dish and specifies that the cooking happens in the oven. Use it after a food noun when describing its cooked state or preparation.
four
In "cuit au four", "four" means oven. The phrase identifies the oven as the place where the dish is cooked. Use it when describing oven cooking or an oven-baked food.
devons
In "nous devons quand même suivre les mesures", "devons" means must or have to. It expresses the speakers' obligation to follow the measurements carefully. It is a form of "devoir" used before an infinitive to state a requirement.
suivre
In "suivre les mesures de près", "suivre" means to follow the measurements. It is the action required after "devons". Use it with instructions, measurements, or a plan that should be obeyed.
mesures
In "suivre les mesures de près", "mesures" means measurements or specified amounts. These are the quantities that must be followed closely in the baked dish. Use it for measured amounts in a recipe or another precise process.
de près
The whole expression "de près" means closely in "suivre les mesures de près". Here, "de" forms the manner expression and "près" contributes the idea of nearness or close attention. Use it when an action must be observed or followed carefully.
Avons
In "Avons-nous assez de lait", "Avons" means have and asks whether the speakers possess enough milk. The subject "nous" follows it because this is a question. Use it when asking whether something is available.
assez
In "assez de lait" and "Nous en avons assez", "assez" means enough. It expresses a sufficient quantity for the cooking task. Use it with a noun to ask about or state sufficiency, or by itself when the quantity is already understood.
lait
In "assez de lait", "lait" means milk, the ingredient whose quantity is being checked. It is the item that may need to be bought. Use it when referring to milk as an ingredient or drink.
ou
In "Avons-nous assez de lait, ou devrais-je en acheter davantage?", "ou" means or and presents two alternatives: having enough milk or buying more. It connects the two possible situations. Use it when offering a choice or asking between alternatives.
devrais
In "devrais-je en acheter davantage?", "devrais" expresses should I or ought I to buy more. It is a form of "devoir" used to ask for advice about a possible action. Use it before an infinitive when asking whether an action would be appropriate.
je
In "devrais-je en acheter davantage?", "je" means I and identifies the person who would buy more milk. It appears after the verb because the sentence is a question. Use it when referring to yourself as the subject of an action.
en
In "en acheter davantage", "en" refers back to the milk and means some of it or more of it, so the noun does not need to be repeated. It comes before the infinitive "acheter". Use it when replacing a quantity introduced by de or when referring back to an amount of something.
acheter
In "en acheter davantage", "acheter" means to buy more milk. It is the possible action being considered after "devrais-je". Use it for obtaining an ingredient or other item by paying for it.
davantage
In "en acheter davantage", "davantage" means more and refers to a larger quantity of milk. It completes the idea introduced by "en". Use it when increasing an amount without repeating the item being measured.
mais
In "Nous en avons assez, mais vérifie la date", "mais" means but and contrasts having enough milk with the need to check its date. It introduces a condition or caution that remains important. Use it to connect two statements with a contrast.
vérifie
In "vérifie la date", "vérifie" gives the direct instruction to check. Its object is the date on the milk. Use it when telling someone to inspect information or a condition before proceeding.
date
In "vérifie la date", "date" means date, specifically the date that should be checked before using the milk. It is the object of the checking action. Use it when referring to a printed date on food or another item.
l'utiliser
In "avant de l'utiliser", "l'utiliser" means to use it, with "l'" referring to the milk. The complete phrase says that the date should be checked before using the milk. Use this form when an object has already been mentioned and is replaced by "l'".
ont l'air
The whole expression "ont l'air" means look or seem. In "Les ingrédients ont l'air sûrs", "ont" contributes the verb form and "l'air" contributes the idea of appearance, together expressing how the ingredients appear. Use it when judging something from how it looks or seems.
sûrs
In "ont l'air sûrs", "sûrs" means safe. It describes the ingredients as appearing safe to use. Use it after an expression of appearance when describing whether food or another item seems free from danger.
prêts
In "prêts à être utilisés", "prêts" means ready. It describes the ingredients as prepared for use. Use it with an action that can happen next when something is ready for that action.
être
In "prêts à être utilisés", "être" means to be and helps form the statement that the ingredients are ready to be used. It follows "à" before the passive action. Use it when connecting readiness with a condition or action expressed with a following form.
utilisés
In "être utilisés", "utilisés" means used. Together with "être", it describes the ingredients as items that can be used. Use it when focusing on an object's being used rather than on who uses it.
maintenant
In "prêts à être utilisés maintenant", "maintenant" means now. It places the ingredients' readiness at the present moment. Use it to indicate that a condition or action applies at this time.
Cette
In "Cette vérification", "Cette" means this and points to the check the speakers have just carried out. It comes before the singular noun "vérification". Use it to identify a particular feminine singular thing that is near in the conversation or situation.
vérification
In "Cette vérification devrait nous aider", "vérification" means check or verification. It refers to reviewing the ingredients, allergy information, and date. Use it for an inspection carried out to confirm that something is correct or safe.
devrait
In "Cette vérification devrait nous aider", "devrait" means should or is expected to. It expresses the expected benefit of the check rather than a guaranteed result. It is a form of "devoir" used before an infinitive to state an expected effect.
aider
In "devrait nous aider à éviter les risques d'allergie", "aider" means to help. The check helps the speakers avoid allergy risks and preserve the dish's taste. Use it with a person or group followed by the action that receives assistance.
éviter
In "nous aider à éviter les risques d'allergie", "éviter" means to avoid the allergy risks. It names the first result the check is intended to support. Use it with the danger, problem, or unwanted event that should not occur.
risques
In "les risques d'allergie", "risques" means risks or dangers. These are the possible allergy-related problems the check is meant to prevent. Use it when referring to possible harmful outcomes.
d'allergie
In "les risques d'allergie", "d'allergie" means of allergy or allergy-related. It specifies what kind of risks are being discussed. The form combines de with the article before "allergie". Use it after a noun such as risks when identifying the source or type of the risk.
conserver
In "à conserver le bon goût du plat", "conserver" means to keep or preserve the dish's good taste. It describes maintaining a desirable quality, not merely storing the dish. Use it when an action helps a quality or condition remain.
le
In "le bon goût du plat", "le" marks "goût" as the specific masculine singular taste being discussed. It introduces a known quality of the dish. Use it before a known masculine singular noun.
bon
In "le bon goût du plat", "bon" means good and describes the taste that should be preserved. Here it expresses a desirable flavor or quality. Use it before a noun when evaluating that quality positively.
goût
In "le bon goût du plat", "goût" means taste or flavor. It is the quality the speakers want to preserve while avoiding allergy risks. Use it when describing how food tastes or the flavor of a dish.
Grammar Points
avant de + infinitif
Avant de commencer à cuisiner, vérifions les ingrédients.
ah-VAHN duh koh-mahn-SAY ah kwee-zee-NAY, vay-ree-fee-OHN layz an-gray-dee-YAHN.Before starting to cook, let's check the ingredients.
En français, avant de est suivi de l'infinitif quand le sujet reste le même.
avoir l'air + adjectif
Les ingrédients ont l'air sûrs.
layz an-gray-dee-YAHN ohn LAIR SOOR.The ingredients look safe.
Avec avoir l'air, l'adjectif s'accorde généralement avec le sujet : sûrs pour les ingrédients.
French Vocabulary
allergique
adj
ah-lair-ZHEEK
allergic
un invité est allergique
avant de
prep
ah-VAHN duh
before
Avant de commencer à cuisiner
commencer
verb
koh-mahn-SAY
to start
commencer à cuisiner
cuisiner
verb
kwee-zee-NAY
to cook
éventuel
adj
ay-van-too-EL
possible
éventuels
ingrédient
noun
an-gray-dee-YAHN
ingredient
ingrédients
invité
noun
an-vee-TAY
guest
noix
noun
nwah
walnuts
prévoir
verb
pray-VWAHR
to call for; to provide for
prévoit
La recette prévoit des noix
recette
noun
ruh-SET
recipe
remplacement
noun
rahm-plahs-MAHN
substitution
remplacements
vérifier
verb
vay-ree-FYAY
to check
vérifions
vérifions les ingrédients
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to cook
Show Answer
cuisinerpossible
Show Answer
éventuelsto call for; to provide for
Show Answer
prévoitto start