Bedeutung
To remove dishes and cutlery from the table after a meal.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Clearing the table is often a communal effort in modern families, but guests should always offer to help as a sign of respect. In Quebec, the phrase is the same, but the atmosphere might be slightly more informal. You might hear 'On ramasse la table' more frequently in very casual settings. Belgian etiquette closely follows French rules. Clearing the table before everyone is finished is a major social error. In French-speaking Switzerland, precision is key. Clearing the table is done efficiently to move on to the next part of the social gathering.
The Guest Rule
Always offer to help clear the table at least once. It's the 'politesse' gold standard in France.
Wait for the end
Never start clearing while someone is still eating. It's considered very rude and pushy.
Bedeutung
To remove dishes and cutlery from the table after a meal.
The Guest Rule
Always offer to help clear the table at least once. It's the 'politesse' gold standard in France.
Wait for the end
Never start clearing while someone is still eating. It's considered very rude and pushy.
Shorten it
In casual settings, just say 'Je débarrasse ?' while reaching for a plate. It's natural and efficient.
The 'Café' Transition
Clearing the table is the signal that 'le café' or 'le dessert' is coming. It resets the mood.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'débarrasser'.
Après le dîner, nous __________ la table.
The subject 'nous' requires the ending '-ons'.
Which sentence is the most polite way to offer help?
You are at a friend's house and want to help.
Using 'Je peux t'aider' is the standard polite offer.
Match the French phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the three main actions involving a table.
Fill in the missing word in this restaurant dialogue.
Serveur : Puis-je vous __________ ? Client : Oui, merci.
Waiters use this to ask if they can take your plates.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Débarrasser vs Nettoyer
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenAprès le dîner, nous __________ la table.
The subject 'nous' requires the ending '-ons'.
You are at a friend's house and want to help.
Using 'Je peux t'aider' is the standard polite offer.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are the three main actions involving a table.
Serveur : Puis-je vous __________ ? Client : Oui, merci.
Waiters use this to ask if they can take your plates.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenNo, you can 'débarrasser' a room of clutter or 'se débarrasser' of an old coat, but 'débarrasser la table' is the most common fixed phrase.
Only if you are wiping it with a cloth. If you are moving plates, use 'débarrasser'.
'Desservir' is more formal and professional. 'Débarrasser' is the everyday term used by everyone.
If the context is clear (you are holding plates), you can just say 'Je débarrasse'.
It is 'débarrasser la table'. No 'de' is needed.
Yes, it is universal across France, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, and African Francophone countries.
Use the passé composé: 'J'ai débarrassé la table'.
Yes, it's a very common chore for children to learn early on.
Not really a single word, but 'virer les assiettes' (to kick out the plates) is very casual.
You can say 'Je peux vous débarrasser votre assiette ?'.
Yes, it follows the standard -er conjugation pattern.
No, it only refers to moving them from the table. 'Faire la vaisselle' is the washing part.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Mettre la table
contrastTo set the table
Desservir
synonymTo clear the table (formal)
Faire la vaisselle
builds onTo do the dishes
Nettoyer la table
similarTo clean the table
