When learning a new language, knowing how to describe food is important. French, known for its rich culinary tradition, has several ways to say “delicious.” Whether you’re at a restaurant or complimenting a homemade dish, knowing the right words can help you express your enjoyment. In this article, we’ll explore how to say “delicious” in French and provide other helpful ways to describe tasty food.
Learning these phrases can be fun and useful, especially if you’re traveling or spending time with French speakers. You’ll get a better understanding of how the French use different expressions in their everyday conversations. Let’s dive into the different ways to say “delicious” in French!
Ways to Say “Delicious” in French
When you want to say something is “delicious” in French, there are many expressions you can use. Some of these words may sound more casual, while others might be more formal or even describe specific tastes. Here are some common ways to say “delicious” in French, along with their pronunciation and meanings.
1. Délicieux (Pronunciation: deh-lee-syuh)
Meaning: This is the most common and standard way to say “delicious” in French. It can be used to describe food that tastes very good.
In a Sentence:
- Le gâteau est délicieux ! (The cake is delicious!)
- Cette soupe est délicieuse. (This soup is delicious.)
2. Savoureux (Pronunciation: sah-voo-ruh)
Meaning: This word means “flavorful” or “tasty.” It’s often used to describe food with a strong, pleasing taste.
In a Sentence:
- Ce plat est vraiment savoureux. (This dish is really tasty.)
- Les légumes sont savoureux. (The vegetables are flavorful.)
3. Succulent (Pronunciation: suhk-yoo-lahnt)
Meaning: “Succulent” describes food that is juicy, tender, and full of flavor. It’s often used for meats or fruit.
In a Sentence:
- Le steak est succulent ! (The steak is succulent!)
- Les fruits sont très succulents. (The fruits are very juicy.)
4. Exquis (Pronunciation: eks-kee)
Meaning: This word means “exquisite” or “delicious” and is used to describe food that is especially delightful or refined.
In a Sentence:
- Ce dessert est exquis ! (This dessert is exquisite!)
- Le vin est exquis. (The wine is delicious.)
5. Merveilleux (Pronunciation: mehr-vay-yuh)
Meaning: This means “marvelous” and can be used for something that tastes wonderful. It’s a bit more enthusiastic than “délicieux.”
In a Sentence:
- Le chocolat est merveilleux. (The chocolate is marvelous.)
- C’est un repas merveilleux. (It’s a marvelous meal.)
6. Bon (Pronunciation: bon)
Meaning: This is a simple word meaning “good,” but it’s often used to describe food that is tasty or pleasing.
In a Sentence:
- Ce sandwich est bon. (This sandwich is good.)
- La pizza est vraiment bonne. (The pizza is really good.)
7. Régal (Pronunciation: ray-gahl)
Meaning: This is a more poetic way to say something is delicious, often used when the food is very satisfying or a treat.
In a Sentence:
- Ce dîner est un véritable régal. (This dinner is a real treat.)
- Quel régal ce gâteau ! (What a delight this cake is!)
8. Appétissant (Pronunciation: ah-peh-tee-sahn)
Meaning: This word means “appetizing” or “tempting,” and it’s used to describe food that looks delicious or makes you want to eat it.
In a Sentence:
- Ce plat est très appétissant. (This dish is very appetizing.)
- L’odeur est appétissante. (The smell is appetizing.)
9. Fabulous (Pronunciation: fah-byu-luhs)
Meaning: Borrowed from English, “fabulous” is used in French in the same way, often to express that food is outstandingly delicious.
In a Sentence:
- Ce gâteau est fabuleux ! (This cake is fabulous!)
- Le repas était absolument fabuleux. (The meal was absolutely fabulous.)
10. Top (Pronunciation: tohp)
Meaning: Another English borrowing, “top” is used in French to describe something that is of the highest quality, often used for food or drinks.
In a Sentence:
- Ce fromage est top. (This cheese is top-quality.)
- Le vin était vraiment top. (The wine was really top-notch.)
11. Tendre (Pronunciation: tahndr)
Meaning: “Tendre” means “tender,” and it’s often used to describe meat or anything soft and easily chewable.
In a Sentence:
- La viande est tendre et délicieuse. (The meat is tender and delicious.)
- Ce poisson est vraiment tendre. (This fish is really tender.)
12. Épicé (Pronunciation: eh-pee-say)
Meaning: “Épicé” means “spicy,” and it’s used when describing food that has a strong, spicy flavor.
In a Sentence:
- Ce curry est épicé. (This curry is spicy.)
- J’aime les plats épicés. (I like spicy dishes.)
13. Généreux (Pronunciation: zheh-neh-ruh)
Meaning: This word means “generous” and is used to describe food portions that are very large or satisfying.
In a Sentence:
- La portion est généreuse. (The portion is generous.)
- Un plat généreux et délicieux. (A generous and delicious dish.)
14. Léger (Pronunciation: lay-zhay)
Meaning: “Léger” means “light,” and it’s used for food that’s not heavy or too rich but still delicious.
In a Sentence:
- Ce plat est léger et délicieux. (This dish is light and delicious.)
- La soupe est légère. (The soup is light.)
15. Savoureux (Pronunciation: sah-voo-ruh)
Meaning: Often used for food with rich, well-rounded flavors.
In a Sentence:
- La sauce est savoureuse. (The sauce is savory.)
- Ce plat est très savoureux. (This dish is very savory.)
16. Fondant (Pronunciation: fohn-dahnt)
Meaning: “Fondant” means “melting” or “soft,” and is often used to describe desserts or food that melts in your mouth.
In a Sentence:
- Ce chocolat est fondant. (This chocolate is melting in my mouth.)
- Le gâteau est fondant et délicieux. (The cake is soft and delicious.)
17. Vraiment délicieux (Pronunciation: vray-mohn deh-lee-syu)
Meaning: This phrase literally means “really delicious” and is used to emphasize how tasty something is.
In a Sentence:
- Ce repas est vraiment délicieux ! (This meal is really delicious!)
- Les pommes de terre sont vraiment délicieuses. (The potatoes are really delicious.)
18. Piquant (Pronunciation: pee-kahnt)
Meaning: “Piquant” means “sharp” or “zesty,” and is used for food that has a bold, strong flavor, often spicy.
In a Sentence:
- Ce plat est piquant mais délicieux. (This dish is spicy but delicious.)
- Les épices rendent la soupe piquante. (The spices make the soup spicy.)
19. Moelleux (Pronunciation: mwah-luh)
Meaning: “Moelleux” means “moist” or “soft” and is used for cakes, pastries, or foods that are tender and not dry.
In a Sentence:
- Le gâteau est moelleux et délicieux. (The cake is moist and delicious.)
- Ce pain est très moelleux. (This bread is very soft.)
20. Croustillant (Pronunciation: kroo-stee-ahn)
Meaning: “Croustillant” means “crunchy” or “crispy,” often used for food with a crispy texture.
In a Sentence:
- Les frites sont croustillantes. (The fries are crispy.)
- Ce poulet est croustillant et délicieux. (This chicken is crispy and delicious.)
21. Divin (Pronunciation: dee-vahn)
Meaning: “Divin” means “divine” or “heavenly,” and is used for food that tastes exceptionally good.
In a Sentence:
- Le dessert était divin. (The dessert was divine.)
- Ce gâteau au chocolat est divin. (This chocolate cake is divine.)
22. Fraîcheur (Pronunciation: freh-sher)
Meaning: “Fraîcheur” refers to “freshness” and is often used for foods that are fresh and flavorful, like salads or fruit.
In a Sentence:
- Cette salade a beaucoup de fraîcheur. (This salad is very fresh.)
- La fraîcheur des fruits est incroyable. (The freshness of the fruits is incredible.)
23. Raffiné (Pronunciation: rah-fee-nay)
Meaning: “Raffiné” means “refined,” and is often used to describe food that is delicate and elegant in taste.
In a Sentence:
- Ce plat est raffiné. (This dish is refined.)
- Le chocolat est raffiné et délicieux. (The chocolate is refined and delicious.)
24. Généreux en saveurs (Pronunciation: zheh-neh-ruh ahn sah-vur)
Meaning: This phrase means “generous in flavors,” and is used to describe food with bold, rich, and abundant flavors.
In a Sentence:
- Ce plat est généreux en saveurs. (This dish is generous in flavors.)
- Ce fromage est généreux en saveurs. (This cheese is generous in flavors.)
25. Étonnant (Pronunciation: eh-toh-nahnt)
Meaning: “Étonnant” means “astonishing” or “amazing,” and is used to describe food that surprises with its taste.
In a Sentence:
- La saveur de ce plat est étonnante. (The flavor of this dish is amazing.)
- Ce gâteau est vraiment étonnant. (This cake is really amazing.)
26. Sublime (Pronunciation: soob-leem)
Meaning: “Sublime” means “sublime,” and is used for food that is so good it seems almost perfect or extraordinary.
In a Sentence:
- Le repas était sublime. (The meal was sublime.)
- Ce gâteau au citron est sublime. (This lemon cake is sublime.)
27. Envoûtant (Pronunciation: ahn-voo-tahnt)
Meaning: “Envoûtant” means “captivating” or “mesmerizing,” used for food that has an irresistible or magical quality.
In a Sentence:
- L’odeur de ce plat est envoûtante. (The smell of this dish is captivating.)
- Ce dessert est envoûtant. (This dessert is mesmerizing.)
28. Frais (Pronunciation: frey)
Meaning: “Frais” means “fresh,” often used for fruits, salads, or anything that has a newly prepared quality.
In a Sentence:
- Ce jus de fruit est frais et délicieux. (This fruit juice is fresh and delicious.)
- Les fruits sont frais. (The fruits are fresh.)
29. Doux (Pronunciation: doo)
Meaning: “Doux” means “gentle” or “sweet,” used for desserts or drinks that have a light, sweet taste.
In a Sentence:
- Ce miel est doux. (This honey is sweet.)
- Le chocolat a un goût doux. (The chocolate has a sweet taste.)
Other Ways to Say “Delicious” in French
Below is a table with more expressions you can use to describe delicious food in French. Each expression has its pronunciation, meaning, and a sentence example to help you understand its usage better.
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Savoureux | sah-voo-ruh | Flavorful or tasty, used for food with a rich taste | Ce plat est très savoureux. (This dish is very flavorful.) |
| Succulent | suhk-yoo-lahnt | Juicy, tender, often used for meat or fruit | La viande est succulente. (The meat is succulent.) |
| Exquis | eks-kee | Exquisite, very fine or excellent | Ce vin est exquis. (This wine is exquisite.) |
| Régal | ray-gahl | A treat, used for something especially delightful | Ce repas est un véritable régal. (This meal is a real treat.) |
| Appétissant | ah-peh-tee-sahn | Appetizing, tempting | Le gâteau est très appétissant. (The cake looks appetizing.) |
| Divin | dee-vahn | Divine, heavenly, used for extraordinary flavors | Ce dessert est divin. (This dessert is divine.) |
| Vraiment délicieux | vray-mohn deh-lee-syu | Really delicious, emphasizing the taste | Ce repas est vraiment délicieux. (This meal is really delicious.) |
| Frais | frey | Fresh, often used for fruits and light foods | La salade est fraîche et délicieuse. (The salad is fresh and delicious.) |
| Fondant | fohn-dahnt | Melting or soft, used for desserts or tender foods | Le chocolat est fondant. (The chocolate is melting.) |
| Croustillant | kroo-stee-ahn | Crunchy or crispy, used for foods with a crisp texture | Les frites sont croustillantes. (The fries are crispy.) |
| Moelleux | mwah-luh | Moist, used for cakes, pastries, or tender foods | Ce gâteau est moelleux. (This cake is moist.) |
| Piquant | pee-kahnt | Spicy or zesty, used for bold, spicy flavors | Ce plat est piquant mais délicieux. (This dish is spicy but delicious.) |
| Généreux en saveurs | zheh-neh-ruh ahn sah-vur | Generous in flavors, describing bold, rich taste | Ce plat est généreux en saveurs. (This dish is generous in flavors.) |
Response to “Delicious” in French
When someone tells you that your food is “delicious,” it’s always nice to respond with gratitude or a compliment in return. In French, there are several ways to reply to someone praising the taste of your meal. These responses will help you engage in a friendly and polite conversation about food.
1. Merci, je suis content que tu aimes ! (Pronunciation: mehr-see, zhuh swee kawn-tohnt kuh too em)
Meaning: “Thank you, I’m glad you like it!”
This is a simple and warm response, letting the person know you’re happy that they enjoyed the food.
In a Sentence:
- Merci, je suis content que tu aimes ce gâteau ! (Thank you, I’m glad you like this cake!)
- Merci, je suis content que tu aimes la soupe ! (Thank you, I’m glad you like the soup!)
2. Je suis ravi(e) que ça te plaise ! (Pronunciation: zhuh swee rah-vee kuh sah tuh plehz)
Meaning: “I’m delighted that you like it!”
This response shows your joy and satisfaction that the person enjoys the food. Use “ravi” if you’re male and “ravie” if you’re female.
In a Sentence:
- Je suis ravi que tu aimes ce plat. (I’m delighted that you like this dish.)
- Je suis ravie que ça te plaise ! (I’m delighted that you like it!)
3. Ça me fait plaisir ! (Pronunciation: sah muh fay pleh-zeer)
Meaning: “It’s my pleasure!”
This response shows your pleasure in hearing the compliment. It’s a warm, friendly way to express that you’re happy they liked the food.
In a Sentence:
- Ça me fait plaisir que tu aimes mon gâteau ! (It’s my pleasure that you like my cake!)
- Ça me fait plaisir que tu apprécies ce plat ! (It’s my pleasure that you appreciate this dish!)
4. Je suis heureux/heureuse que tu aies aimé ! (Pronunciation: zhuh swee uh-ruh/uh-ruhz kuh too eh eh-may)
Meaning: “I’m happy that you liked it!”
This phrase expresses your happiness and contentment with the compliment. You would use “heureux” if you’re male and “heureuse” if you’re female.
In a Sentence:
- Je suis heureux que tu aies aimé mon repas. (I’m happy that you liked my meal.)
- Je suis heureuse que tu aies aimé la soupe. (I’m happy that you liked the soup.)
5. C’est gentil de ta part ! (Pronunciation: say zhahn-tee duh tah par)
Meaning: “That’s kind of you!”
This response expresses appreciation for the compliment. It shows gratitude for the person’s kindness in praising your cooking.
In a Sentence:
- C’est gentil de ta part ! (That’s kind of you!)
- C’est gentil de ta part de dire que c’est délicieux ! (That’s kind of you to say it’s delicious!)
6. Tu me fais rougir ! (Pronunciation: too muh fay roo-zheer)
Meaning: “You’re making me blush!”
This is a playful way to respond when someone compliments your cooking, showing that you’re flattered.
In a Sentence:
- Tu me fais rougir avec tes compliments ! (You’re making me blush with your compliments!)
- Oh, tu me fais rougir ! (Oh, you’re making me blush!)
7. Je suis content(e) que tu te sois régalé(e) ! (Pronunciation: zhuh swee kawn-tohnt/kwah-tee kuh too tuh swah ray-gah-lee)
Meaning: “I’m happy that you had a good meal!”
This is another way to express joy after hearing a compliment. “Régalé” means enjoying a meal a lot. Use “content” if you’re male and “contente” if you’re female.
In a Sentence:
- Je suis content que tu te sois régalé de ce plat. (I’m happy that you enjoyed this dish.)
- Je suis contente que tu te sois régalé ! (I’m happy that you had a good meal!)
8. C’est un plaisir de cuisiner pour toi ! (Pronunciation: say uh pleh-zeer duh kwee-zee-nay poor twah)
Meaning: “It’s a pleasure to cook for you!”
This response emphasizes that cooking for the person is a joy for you, not just a chore.
In a Sentence:
- C’est un plaisir de cuisiner pour toi. (It’s a pleasure to cook for you.)
- C’est un plaisir de cuisiner ce repas pour toi. (It’s a pleasure to cook this meal for you.)
9. C’est fait avec amour ! (Pronunciation: say fay ah-vek ah-moor)
Meaning: “It’s made with love!”
This response shows that the food was made with care and affection, making the compliment even more meaningful.
In a Sentence:
- C’est fait avec amour, j’espère que ça te plaît ! (It’s made with love, I hope you like it!)
- Ce plat est fait avec amour. (This dish is made with love.)
10. Je suis content(e) que ça te fasse plaisir ! (Pronunciation: zhuh swee kawn-tohnt/kwah-tee kuh sah tuh fahs pleh-zeer)
Meaning: “I’m happy that it pleases you!”
This phrase expresses happiness that your food made the person happy. Use “content” if you’re male and “contente” if you’re female.
In a Sentence:
- Je suis content que ça te fasse plaisir ! (I’m happy that it pleases you!)
- Je suis contente que ça te fasse plaisir ! (I’m happy that it pleases you!)
11. Merci, c’est un honneur ! (Pronunciation: mehr-see, say uh no-nur)
Meaning: “Thank you, it’s an honor!”
This is a formal way of responding to a compliment, showing great appreciation for the praise.
In a Sentence:
- Merci, c’est un honneur de cuisiner pour vous. (Thank you, it’s an honor to cook for you.)
- Merci, c’est un honneur que tu aimes ce plat. (Thank you, it’s an honor that you like this dish.)
12. Ça me touche beaucoup ! (Pronunciation: sah muh toosh boh-koo)
Meaning: “It really touches me!”
This response expresses deep appreciation and shows that the compliment means a lot to you.
In a Sentence:
- Ça me touche beaucoup que tu aimes mon plat. (It really touches me that you like my dish.)
- Ça me touche beaucoup d’entendre cela ! (It really touches me to hear that!)
13. Je suis flatté(e), merci ! (Pronunciation: zhuh swee flah-tey, mehr-see)
Meaning: “I’m flattered, thank you!”
This response conveys that the compliment makes you feel honored. Use “flatté” if you’re male and “flattée” if you’re female.
In a Sentence:
- Je suis flatté que tu aimes mon repas. (I’m flattered that you like my meal.)
- Je suis flattée que tu aimes mon gâteau. (I’m flattered that you like my cake.)
14. C’est fait avec beaucoup de soin ! (Pronunciation: say fay ah-vek boh-koo duh swah)
Meaning: “It’s made with a lot of care!”
This response emphasizes that the food was prepared carefully and with attention to detail.
In a Sentence:
- Ce plat est fait avec beaucoup de soin. (This dish is made with a lot of care.)
- C’est fait avec beaucoup de soin et d’amour. (It’s made with a lot of care and love.)
Exercise to Practice Saying “Delicious” in French
To help you master the different ways to say “delicious” in French, here are 12 fill-in-the-blank exercises. Try to complete each sentence with the appropriate French phrase for “delicious” from the list provided earlier. After the exercises, you’ll find the answers along with the meaning of each sentence.
Fill-in-the-Blank Sentences (in French)
- Le gâteau au chocolat est __________.
- Cette soupe est __________ et réconfortante.
- Ce vin est __________, je l’adore !
- La pizza que tu as faite est __________.
- Le steak est __________ et fondant.
- Ce dessert est __________, tu devrais l’essayer.
- La salade a une __________ fraîcheur.
- Ce repas était __________, j’ai adoré !
- Les fruits frais sont __________ après une journée chaude.
- Ce plat est __________, je ne m’attendais pas à ce goût si intense !
- Ce fromage est __________ et savoureux.
- Ce pain est __________, il est délicieux tout juste sorti du four.
Answers:
- Délicieux
Meaning: The chocolate cake is delicious. - Savoureuse
Meaning: This soup is flavorful and comforting. - Exquis
Meaning: This wine is exquisite, I love it! - Succulente
Meaning: The pizza you made is delicious. - Tendre
Meaning: The steak is tender and melting. - Divin
Meaning: This dessert is divine, you should try it. - Incroyable (freshness)
Meaning: The salad has an incredible freshness. - Vraiment délicieux
Meaning: This meal was really delicious, I loved it! - Succulent
Meaning: The fresh fruits are juicy after a hot day. - Piquant
Meaning: This dish is spicy, I didn’t expect such an intense taste! - Raffiné
Meaning: This cheese is refined and savory. - Moelleux
Meaning: This bread is soft and delicious right out of the oven.
Conclusion
In this article, we explored various ways to say “delicious” in French. Whether you want to describe a meal as tasty, flavorful, or exquisite, there are many expressions you can use to convey your enjoyment. By learning these different phrases, you’ll be able to compliment French food more naturally and confidently, whether you’re dining at a restaurant or praising a homemade dish.
Remember, each expression carries its own nuance, so you can choose the one that best fits the situation. With practice, you’ll be able to respond to compliments with warmth and appreciation in French, making your conversations even more enjoyable. Happy learning and bon appétit!