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Ordering, Dietary Needs & Splitting the Bill
10 min
A2
Free
Ordering — more than just pointing at the menu
French speakers often order with "Je prends..." which they translate to "I take the fish". In English, you don't "take" food — you have it, get it, or go for it.
Natural ordering phrases
"I'll have the salmon, please."
Je prendrai le saumon, s'il vous plaît.
→ Your default. Natural, polite, clear. "I'll have" = "je prendrai."
Je prendrai le saumon, s'il vous plaît.
→ Your default. Natural, polite, clear. "I'll have" = "je prendrai."
"Could I get the steak, medium rare?"
Pourrais-je avoir le steak, à point ?
→ Slightly more casual. "Could I get" is very common in UK and US restaurants.
Pourrais-je avoir le steak, à point ?
→ Slightly more casual. "Could I get" is very common in UK and US restaurants.
"I think I'll go for the pasta."
Je crois que je vais prendre les pâtes.
→ Casual, sounds like you just decided. Good for relaxed settings.
Je crois que je vais prendre les pâtes.
→ Casual, sounds like you just decided. Good for relaxed settings.
Dietary needs
"I'm allergic to nuts. Does this contain any?"
Je suis allergique aux noix. Est-ce que ça en contient ?
Direct and clear. Allergies require directness — no hedging here.
Je suis allergique aux noix. Est-ce que ça en contient ?
Direct and clear. Allergies require directness — no hedging here.
"Is it possible to have this without the cheese?"
Serait-il possible d'avoir ça sans le fromage ?
Polite modification request. Works for preferences and intolerances.
Serait-il possible d'avoir ça sans le fromage ?
Polite modification request. Works for preferences and intolerances.
The bill
"Could we get the bill, please?" (UK) / "Could we get the check?" (US)
Pourrions-nous avoir l'addition ?
UK says "bill," US says "check." Both work everywhere.
Pourrions-nous avoir l'addition ?
UK says "bill," US says "check." Both work everywhere.
"Shall we split it?" / "Let's go halves."
On partage ? / On fait moitié-moitié.
Common among colleagues. In business dinners, the host pays — never offer to split.
On partage ? / On fait moitié-moitié.
Common among colleagues. In business dinners, the host pays — never offer to split.
Watch out
"I take the fish" is a French calque of "je prends." In English, "I'll take" only works in very casual settings (fast food). At a restaurant, say "I'll have." Also: "the addition" = "the bill" (UK) or "the check" (US). "Addition" in English is only for maths.