Learning a new language often begins with understanding how to express everyday phrases. One such common phrase is “main course,” which is important when dining at restaurants or planning meals. Knowing how to say this in French will make your conversations smoother, whether you are traveling or simply exploring French culture.
In French, words for meals and courses are widely used, as food is an integral part of French life. This article will teach you how to say “main course” in French, introduce variations of the phrase, and give you practice exercises to help. By the end, you’ll feel more confident discussing meals in French.
Ways to Say “Main Course” in French
In French, there are several ways to say “main course,” depending on the formality and context. It’s helpful to know these variations when ordering food or discussing meal preferences. Below are the most common ways, along with their pronunciation, meaning, and example sentences to practice.
1. Plat principal
Pronunciation: plah prahn-see-pahl
Meaning: Main course
In a Sentence:
- J’ai commandé le plat principal au poulet. (I ordered the main course with chicken.)
- Le plat principal était délicieux et bien présenté. (The main course was delicious and well-presented.)
2. Le plat
Pronunciation: luh plah
Meaning: The dish (can also mean the main course in a casual context)
In a Sentence:
- Le plat que j’ai choisi est un steak frites. (The dish I chose is steak and fries.)
- Le plat est servi avec une salade verte. (The main course is served with a green salad.)
3. Entrée principale
Pronunciation: ahn-tray prahn-see-pahl
Meaning: Main entrée (formal)
In a Sentence:
- L’entrée principale est accompagnée d’une sauce au beurre. (The main entrée is served with butter sauce.)
- Nous avons adoré l’entrée principale au restaurant. (We loved the main entrée at the restaurant.)
4. Repas principal
Pronunciation: ruh-pah prahn-see-pahl
Meaning: Main meal
In a Sentence:
- Le repas principal est servi après les hors-d’œuvre. (The main meal is served after the appetizers.)
- Ils préparent toujours un repas principal spécial le dimanche. (They always prepare a special main meal on Sundays.)
5. Mets principal
Pronunciation: meh prahn-see-pahl
Meaning: Principal dish (formal, literary)
In a Sentence:
- Le mets principal de ce soir est le saumon grillé. (The principal dish tonight is grilled salmon.)
- Nous attendons avec impatience le mets principal. (We are eagerly waiting for the principal dish.)
6. Course principale
Pronunciation: koors prahn-see-pahl
Meaning: Main course (used in translations or formal settings)
In a Sentence:
- La course principale est servie avec du vin blanc. (The main course is served with white wine.)
- Quelle est la course principale aujourd’hui? (What is the main course today?)
7. Plat de résistance
Pronunciation: plah duh ray-zee-stahns
Meaning: The centerpiece dish of a meal (literally, “resistance dish”)
In a Sentence:
- Le plat de résistance était un rôti de bœuf. (The centerpiece dish was a roast beef.)
- Pour le dîner de fête, le plat de résistance est un gigot d’agneau. (For the festive dinner, the main course is a leg of lamb.)
8. Grande assiette
Pronunciation: grahnd ah-see-et
Meaning: Large plate (can imply the main course in casual contexts)
In a Sentence:
- Je vais prendre une grande assiette de pâtes. (I’ll have a large plate of pasta.)
- La grande assiette est toujours bien servie ici. (The main course is always well served here.)
9. Le service principal
Pronunciation: luh sair-vees prahn-see-pahl
Meaning: Main service or course (used in formal meal descriptions)
In a Sentence:
- Le service principal sera servi dans 15 minutes. (The main course will be served in 15 minutes.)
- Lors des banquets, le service principal est souvent spectaculaire. (During banquets, the main course is often spectacular.)
10. Plats mijotés
Pronunciation: plah mee-zho-tay
Meaning: Slow-cooked dishes (can also refer to a rich main course)
In a Sentence:
- Les plats mijotés sont parfaits pour un dîner d’hiver. (Slow-cooked dishes are perfect for a winter dinner.)
- Elle prépare souvent des plats mijotés comme plat principal. (She often makes slow-cooked dishes as the main course.)
11. Assiette principale
Pronunciation: ah-see-et prahn-see-pahl
Meaning: Main plate
In a Sentence:
- L’assiette principale contient du poisson et des légumes. (The main plate includes fish and vegetables.)
- Quelle est l’assiette principale pour ce soir? (What is the main plate for tonight?)
12. Partie principale
Pronunciation: par-tee prahn-see-pahl
Meaning: Main part of the meal
In a Sentence:
- La partie principale du dîner est le poulet rôti. (The main part of the dinner is roast chicken.)
- Nous avons hâte de déguster la partie principale. (We look forward to enjoying the main part of the meal.)
13. Menu principal
Pronunciation: muh-nu prahn-see-pahl
Meaning: Main menu item
In a Sentence:
- Le menu principal aujourd’hui est du steak haché. (The main menu item today is ground steak.)
- Quel est le menu principal au restaurant? (What is the main menu item at the restaurant?)
14. Dîner principal
Pronunciation: dee-nay prahn-see-pahl
Meaning: Main dinner
In a Sentence:
- Le dîner principal commence à huit heures. (The main dinner starts at eight o’clock.)
- Nous avons apprécié le dîner principal de Noël. (We enjoyed the main Christmas dinner.)
15. Repas copieux
Pronunciation: ruh-pah koh-pee-uh
Meaning: Hearty meal (can imply a filling main course)
In a Sentence:
- Un repas copieux est idéal pour l’hiver. (A hearty meal is ideal for winter.)
- Le repas copieux contient du bœuf et des pommes de terre. (The hearty meal includes beef and potatoes.)
16. Plats principaux
Pronunciation: plah prahn-see-po
Meaning: Main courses (plural)
In a Sentence:
- Les plats principaux comprennent du poisson et du poulet. (The main courses include fish and chicken.)
- Quels sont les plats principaux disponibles? (What are the available main courses?)
17. Plat chaud
Pronunciation: plah show
Meaning: Warm dish (can imply a cooked main course)
In a Sentence:
- Le plat chaud d’aujourd’hui est une soupe au poulet. (Today’s warm dish is chicken soup.)
- Nous servons des plats chauds tous les jours. (We serve warm dishes every day.)
18. Pièce de résistance
Pronunciation: pee-ess duh ray-zee-stahns
Meaning: Highlight of the meal (used figuratively for the main course)
In a Sentence:
- La pièce de résistance était le homard. (The highlight of the meal was the lobster.)
- Tous attendaient avec impatience la pièce de résistance. (Everyone eagerly awaited the main course.)
19. Menu du chef
Pronunciation: muh-nu duh shef
Meaning: Chef’s menu (can imply the featured main course)
In a Sentence:
- Le menu du chef comprend un plat principal de poisson. (The chef’s menu includes a fish main course.)
- Nous avons commandé le menu du chef pour découvrir ses spécialités. (We ordered the chef’s menu to explore his specialties.)
20. Plats principaux traditionnels
Pronunciation: plah prahn-see-po tray-dee-syo-nel
Meaning: Traditional main courses
In a Sentence:
- Les plats principaux traditionnels incluent le coq au vin. (Traditional main courses include coq au vin.)
- Le restaurant est connu pour ses plats principaux traditionnels. (The restaurant is known for its traditional main courses.)
21. Le mets de choix
Pronunciation: luh meh duh shwah
Meaning: Choice dish (used to highlight the main course)
In a Sentence:
- Le mets de choix est un canard confit. (The choice dish is duck confit.)
- Nous avons recommandé le mets de choix aux invités. (We recommended the choice dish to the guests.)
22. Repas spécial
Pronunciation: ruh-pah spay-syal
Meaning: Special meal
In a Sentence:
- Le repas spécial du jour est une lasagne maison. (The special meal of the day is homemade lasagna.)
- Ils ont préparé un repas spécial pour l’anniversaire. (They prepared a special meal for the birthday.)
23. Sélection principale
Pronunciation: say-lek-syohn prahn-see-pahl
Meaning: Main selection
In a Sentence:
- La sélection principale inclut du poulet grillé. (The main selection includes grilled chicken.)
- Quelle est la sélection principale sur la carte? (What is the main selection on the menu?)
24. Service de table
Pronunciation: sair-vees duh tah-bluh
Meaning: Table service (can imply the served main course)
In a Sentence:
- Le service de table commence avec les entrées. (The table service starts with appetizers.)
- Le service de table est excellent dans ce restaurant. (The table service is excellent at this restaurant.)
25. Grand plat
Pronunciation: grahn plah
Meaning: Large dish (can mean the main course informally)
In a Sentence:
- Le grand plat du jour est une bouillabaisse. (The large dish of the day is a bouillabaisse.)
- J’ai commandé un grand plat pour partager. (I ordered a large dish to share.)
26. Ragoût principal
Pronunciation: rah-goo prahn-see-pahl
Meaning: Main stew (used for stews as main courses)
In a Sentence:
- Le ragoût principal est à base d’agneau. (The main stew is made with lamb.)
- Nous avons servi un ragoût principal pour le dîner. (We served a main stew for dinner.)
27. Plat maison
Pronunciation: plah may-zohn
Meaning: House special dish (can refer to a featured main course)
In a Sentence:
- Le plat maison est un gratin dauphinois. (The house special dish is a gratin dauphinois.)
- Avez-vous essayé le plat maison? (Have you tried the house special dish?)
28. Menu spécial
Pronunciation: muh-nu spay-syal
Meaning: Special menu (highlighting the main course)
In a Sentence:
- Le menu spécial propose des plats uniques. (The special menu offers unique dishes.)
- Nous avons choisi le menu spécial pour le dîner. (We chose the special menu for dinner.)
29. Grande portion
Pronunciation: grahn-deh por-syon
Meaning: Large portion (can imply a full main course)
In a Sentence:
- Une grande portion est idéale pour un repas principal. (A large portion is ideal for a main course.)
- Ils servent des grandes portions pour satisfaire tout le monde. (They serve large portions to satisfy everyone.)
30. Plat préféré
Pronunciation: plah pray-fay-ray
Meaning: Favorite dish (used for a preferred main course)
In a Sentence:
- Mon plat préféré est un curry de légumes. (My favorite dish is a vegetable curry.)
- Quel est votre plat préféré pour le dîner? (What is your favorite dish for dinner?)
Other Ways to Say “Main Course” in French
Below is a table with other ways to say “main course” in French, along with their pronunciation, meaning, and example sentences. These alternatives add variety to your vocabulary for different situations.
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Chef-d’œuvre culinaire | shef-duhr kuh-lee-nair | Culinary masterpiece | Le chef-d’œuvre culinaire était un plat de saumon. (The culinary masterpiece was a salmon dish.) |
| Plat signature | plah seek-nah-chur | Signature dish | Ce restaurant est connu pour son plat signature. (This restaurant is known for its signature dish.) |
| Service principal | sair-vees prahn-see-pahl | Primary course | Le service principal sera servi après l’entrée. (The main course will be served after the appetizer.) |
| Élément central | ay-leh-mohn sahn-trahl | Central element of the meal | L’élément central était le poulet rôti. (The central element was roast chicken.) |
| Assiette du chef | ah-see-et duh shef | Chef’s plate | J’ai choisi l’assiette du chef au menu. (I chose the chef’s plate from the menu.) |
| Présentation principale | pray-zahn-tah-syohn prahn-see-pahl | Main presentation | La présentation principale était magnifique. (The main presentation was stunning.) |
| Option gastronomique | op-syon gah-stro-nom-eek | Gastronomic option | L’option gastronomique inclut un plat végétarien. (The gastronomic option includes a vegetarian dish.) |
| Sélection du jour | say-lek-syohn duh joor | Selection of the day | La sélection du jour est un ragoût d’agneau. (The selection of the day is a lamb stew.) |
| Plat de fête | plah duh feht | Festive dish | Le plat de fête est un dinde farcie. (The festive dish is a stuffed turkey.) |
| Mets gastronomique | meh gah-stro-no-meek | Gastronomic dish | Les mets gastronomiques sont servis avec du vin. (The gastronomic dishes are served with wine.) |
| Plat de consistance | plah duh kohn-see-stahnce | Filling dish | Ce plat de consistance est parfait pour l’hiver. (This filling dish is perfect for winter.) |
| Offre spéciale | oh-fruh spay-syahl | Special offer | L’offre spéciale inclut un plat principal et un dessert. (The special offer includes a main course and dessert.) |
| Plats en vedette | plah ahn veh-deht | Featured dishes | Les plats en vedette sont faits maison. (The featured dishes are homemade.) |
| Incontournable culinaire | ahn-kohn-toor-nahbl kuh-lee-nair | Culinary must-try | L’incontournable culinaire est leur bœuf bourguignon. (The culinary must-try is their beef bourguignon.) |
| Art culinaire | ahr kuh-lee-nair | Culinary art | Cet art culinaire montre le talent du chef. (This culinary art showcases the chef’s talent.) |
| Étoile du menu | ay-twahl duh muh-nu | Star of the menu | L’étoile du menu est le poisson grillé. (The star of the menu is the grilled fish.) |
| Dégustation principale | day-goo-stah-syohn prahn-see-pahl | Main tasting | La dégustation principale était exceptionnelle. (The main tasting was exceptional.) |
Responses to “Main Course” in French
When discussing or ordering a “main course” in French, it’s polite to respond appropriately. Whether you’re agreeing with a suggestion, expressing enjoyment, or providing your preference, here are common ways to respond.
1. C’est parfait
Pronunciation: say par-fay
Meaning: It’s perfect
In a Sentence:
- Serveur: Le plat principal est prêt. (The main course is ready.)
Client: C’est parfait! (It’s perfect!) - C’est parfait pour ce soir, merci. (It’s perfect for tonight, thank you.)
2. J’adore ce choix
Pronunciation: zhah-dohr suh shwah
Meaning: I love this choice
In a Sentence:
- J’adore ce choix de plat principal, c’est délicieux. (I love this choice of main course; it’s delicious.)
- Tout le monde adore ce choix au dîner. (Everyone loves this choice at dinner.)
3. Ça a l’air délicieux
Pronunciation: sah ah lehr day-lee-syuh
Meaning: It looks delicious
In a Sentence:
- Ça a l’air délicieux, j’ai hâte d’y goûter. (It looks delicious; I can’t wait to try it.)
- Le plat principal a l’air délicieux avec cette sauce. (The main course looks delicious with this sauce.)
4. J’aimerais essayer
Pronunciation: zhem-ray eh-say-yay
Meaning: I’d like to try
In a Sentence:
- Serveur: Voulez-vous goûter le plat du jour? (Would you like to try the dish of the day?)
Client: Oui, j’aimerais essayer. (Yes, I’d like to try.) - J’aimerais essayer ce plat principal, ça semble intéressant. (I’d like to try this main course; it seems interesting.)
5. C’est une bonne idée
Pronunciation: sayt ewn buhn ee-day
Meaning: That’s a good idea
In a Sentence:
- C’est une bonne idée de commander le plat principal. (That’s a good idea to order the main course.)
- Vous avez raison, c’est une bonne idée de goûter à ce plat. (You’re right; it’s a good idea to try this dish.)
6. Merci, j’ai hâte
Pronunciation: mehr-see, zhay aht
Meaning: Thank you, I’m looking forward to it
In a Sentence:
- Serveur: Le plat principal arrivera bientôt. (The main course will arrive soon.)
Client: Merci, j’ai hâte! (Thank you, I’m looking forward to it!) - J’ai hâte de goûter au plat principal. (I’m looking forward to tasting the main course.)
7. Ça semble appétissant
Pronunciation: sah sahm-bluh ah-pay-tee-sahn
Meaning: That seems appetizing
In a Sentence:
- Le plat principal semble vraiment appétissant. (The main course seems really appetizing.)
- Tout dans ce menu semble appétissant, surtout le plat principal. (Everything on this menu seems appetizing, especially the main course.)
8. J’en prendrai un
Pronunciation: zhahn prahn-dray uh(n)
Meaning: I’ll take one
In a Sentence:
- J’en prendrai un, ça a l’air délicieux. (I’ll take one; it looks delicious.)
- Serveur: Quel plat principal voulez-vous? (Which main course would you like?)
Client: J’en prendrai un avec du poisson. (I’ll take one with fish.)
9. Je suis curieux(se)
Pronunciation: juh swee kyoo-ryuh(s)
Meaning: I’m curious
In a Sentence:
- Je suis curieuse de goûter ce plat principal. (I’m curious to try this main course.)
- Nous sommes curieux d’essayer les plats principaux de ce restaurant. (We are curious to try the main courses at this restaurant.)
10. Bon choix
Pronunciation: bohn shwah
Meaning: Good choice
In a Sentence:
- Serveur: Le plat principal est le canard confit. (The main course is duck confit.)
Client: Bon choix, je vais le prendre. (Good choice; I’ll take it.) - C’était un bon choix pour le dîner. (It was a good choice for dinner.)
11. J’en ai entendu du bien
Pronunciation: zhahn ay ahn-tahn-dyuh dyuh byehn
Meaning: I’ve heard good things about it
In a Sentence:
- J’en ai entendu du bien, alors je vais essayer ce plat principal. (I’ve heard good things about it, so I’ll try this main course.)
- Ce plat principal est populaire ici, j’en ai entendu du bien. (This main course is popular here; I’ve heard good things about it.)
12. Pourquoi pas?
Pronunciation: poor-kwah pah
Meaning: Why not?
In a Sentence:
- Serveur: Voulez-vous essayer notre spécialité? (Would you like to try our specialty?)
Client: Pourquoi pas? (Why not?) - Ce plat principal semble intéressant. Pourquoi pas? (This main course seems interesting. Why not?)
13. Je vais le prendre
Pronunciation: juh vay luh prahndr
Meaning: I’ll take it
In a Sentence:
- Je vais le prendre avec une salade en accompagnement. (I’ll take it with a salad on the side.)
- Serveur: Ce plat principal est recommandé. (This main course is recommended.)
Client: Très bien, je vais le prendre. (Great, I’ll take it.)
14. C’est ce que je cherchais
Pronunciation: sayt suh kuh juh sher-shay
Meaning: That’s what I was looking for
In a Sentence:
- C’est ce que je cherchais pour le dîner. (That’s what I was looking for for dinner.)
- Le plat principal correspond parfaitement à mes attentes. C’est ce que je cherchais! (The main course fits my expectations perfectly. That’s what I was looking for!)
15. Je suis impressionné(e)
Pronunciation: juh swee ehm-pray-syo-nay
Meaning: I’m impressed
In a Sentence:
- Je suis impressionnée par la présentation du plat principal. (I’m impressed by the presentation of the main course.)
- Ce plat principal est impressionnant. (This main course is impressive.)
16. Ça dépasse mes attentes
Pronunciation: sah day-pass may zah-tahnt
Meaning: It exceeds my expectations
In a Sentence:
- Ce plat principal dépasse mes attentes en goût. (This main course exceeds my expectations in taste.)
- Bravo au chef, ça dépasse mes attentes! (Kudos to the chef, it exceeds my expectations!)
17. J’en veux encore
Pronunciation: zhahn vuh ahn-kohr
Meaning: I want more
In a Sentence:
- Ce plat principal est si bon, j’en veux encore! (This main course is so good; I want more!)
- Serveur: Avez-vous aimé? (Did you enjoy it?)
Client: Absolument, j’en veux encore! (Absolutely, I want more!)
18. Ça sent délicieux
Pronunciation: sah sahn day-lee-syuh
Meaning: It smells delicious
In a Sentence:
- Ce plat principal sent délicieux, j’ai hâte d’y goûter. (This main course smells delicious; I can’t wait to taste it.)
- Tout le restaurant sent délicieux, surtout le plat principal. (The whole restaurant smells delicious, especially the main course.)
19. Je suis ravi(e)
Pronunciation: juh swee rah-vee
Meaning: I’m delighted
In a Sentence:
- Je suis ravi de goûter ce plat principal. (I’m delighted to try this main course.)
- Ce plat principal me rend ravi. (This main course makes me delighted.)
20. Je vais y revenir
Pronunciation: juh vay ee ruh-ven-neer
Meaning: I’ll come back for this
In a Sentence:
- Ce plat principal est exceptionnel, je vais y revenir. (This main course is exceptional; I’ll come back for this.)
- Le plat principal est inoubliable, je vais y revenir à coup sûr! (The main course is unforgettable; I’ll definitely come back for it!)
Exercise to Practice “Main Course” in French
Below is a fill-in-the-blank exercise to help you practice the different ways to say and respond to “main course” in French. Each sentence is entirely in French, followed by its English meaning.
Fill-in-the-Blanks:
- Le serveur a dit : “Le ________ principal est un poisson grillé.”
- Pour le dîner, j’ai commandé le ________ de résistance.
- Est-ce que vous avez aimé votre ________ principal?
- Le restaurant est célèbre pour son ________ signature.
- J’aimerais goûter l’assiette ________ ce soir.
- Le ________ chaud d’aujourd’hui est une soupe au potiron.
- Ils ont préparé un ________ principal traditionnel pour Noël.
- Je suis ravi, ce ________ principal dépasse mes attentes.
- J’ai hâte d’essayer leur ________ maison.
- Ce ________ principal a l’air appétissant avec cette sauce.
- Je vais prendre la ________ du jour, merci.
- Ce plat est un chef-d’œuvre ________, j’en veux encore!
Answers:
- Le serveur a dit : “Le plat principal est un poisson grillé.”
(The waiter said: “The main course is grilled fish.”) - Pour le dîner, j’ai commandé le plat de résistance.
(For dinner, I ordered the centerpiece dish.) - Est-ce que vous avez aimé votre plat principal?
(Did you like your main course?) - Le restaurant est célèbre pour son plat signature.
(The restaurant is famous for its signature dish.) - J’aimerais goûter l’assiette principale ce soir.
(I’d like to try the main plate tonight.) - Le plat chaud d’aujourd’hui est une soupe au potiron.
(The warm dish today is pumpkin soup.) - Ils ont préparé un repas principal traditionnel pour Noël.
(They prepared a traditional main meal for Christmas.) - Je suis ravi, ce plat principal dépasse mes attentes.
(I’m delighted; this main course exceeds my expectations.) - J’ai hâte d’essayer leur plat maison.
(I’m looking forward to trying their house special dish.) - Ce plat principal a l’air appétissant avec cette sauce.
(This main course looks appetizing with this sauce.) - Je vais prendre la sélection du jour, merci.
(I’ll take the selection of the day, thank you.) - Ce plat est un chef-d’œuvre culinaire, j’en veux encore!
(This dish is a culinary masterpiece; I want more!)
Conclusion
Learning how to say and respond to “main course” in French adds a practical and cultural touch to your vocabulary. From common phrases like plat principal to more descriptive expressions like plat de résistance or chef-d’œuvre culinaire, these terms help you navigate menus, order meals confidently, and engage in conversations about food with ease.
By practicing the examples and exercises provided, you can improve your French skills while gaining a deeper appreciation for the language and its connection to food culture. Keep practicing, and soon, discussing the “main course” in French will feel as natural as it does in English. Bon appétit!