Significado
An exclamation to announce that a meal is served and ready to eat.
Contexto cultural
The 'repas gastronomique' is a social ritual where 'À table !' acts as the opening bell. It's expected that everyone stays until the very end, often several hours later. While 'À table !' is used, you might also hear 'C'est prêt !' or 'Le souper est servi !'. The culture is slightly more informal but still values the communal meal. In countries like Morocco or Algeria, the call to the table often involves a large communal dish. 'À table !' is used alongside local Arabic expressions like 'Bismillah'. Very similar to France, but the timing of meals might differ (e.g., 'dîner' for lunch and 'souper' for dinner). 'À table !' remains the universal call.
Add 'Allez'
If people aren't moving, say 'Allez, à table !' to add a bit of friendly pressure.
Don't wait
In France, when you hear 'À table !', you should stop what you're doing immediately. It's rude to keep people waiting.
Significado
An exclamation to announce that a meal is served and ready to eat.
Add 'Allez'
If people aren't moving, say 'Allez, à table !' to add a bit of friendly pressure.
Don't wait
In France, when you hear 'À table !', you should stop what you're doing immediately. It's rude to keep people waiting.
The 'On passe à table' trick
Use 'On passe à table ?' as a polite way to tell guests it's time to stop drinking and start eating.
No phones
Modern etiquette tip: 'À table !' usually implies that phones should be left in another room or put away.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing preposition to call everyone to eat.
Les enfants, ___ table !
The standard expression is 'À table !'. No article is used.
When is it most appropriate to say 'À table !'?
You are at home and have just finished cooking dinner.
'À table !' is the signal that the meal is served and ready to be eaten immediately.
Complete the dialogue between a mother and her son.
Maman: 'Lucas, ___ ! Le dîner va refroidir.' Lucas: 'J'arrive tout de suite !'
The mother is calling Lucas to eat because the dinner is getting cold.
Match the phrase to the correct context.
Match 'On passe à table ?' with its best context.
'On passe à table ?' is the polite way to suggest starting the meal after an apéritif.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
When to say it
Home
- • Family dinner
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
Social
- • Dinner parties
- • BBQs
- • Shared flats
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosLes enfants, ___ table !
The standard expression is 'À table !'. No article is used.
You are at home and have just finished cooking dinner.
'À table !' is the signal that the meal is served and ready to be eaten immediately.
Maman: 'Lucas, ___ ! Le dîner va refroidir.' Lucas: 'J'arrive tout de suite !'
The mother is calling Lucas to eat because the dinner is getting cold.
Match 'On passe à table ?' with its best context.
'On passe à table ?' is the polite way to suggest starting the meal after an apéritif.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, 'table' is feminine, but even 'À la table' is not used for the exclamation. It is always 'À table !'.
Not at all! It's the standard way to call people from other rooms. It's actually helpful.
Rarely. They usually say 'Je vous apporte vos plats' or 'Bon appétit'. 'À table !' is for home/casual settings.
You don't need to say it, but some people say it to their pets as a joke!
Yes, 'Le dîner est servi' or 'Je vous en prie, passons à table'.
Yes, it works for any meal where you sit at a table.
It's slang for 'to confess' or 'to spill the beans' to the police.
It's an old idiomatic structure where the noun becomes part of the command, similar to 'À cheval !' (To horse!).
Before. 'À table !' gets people to the seats; 'Bon appétit !' starts the eating.
Yes, it is universally understood across the Francophonie.
Frases relacionadas
Bon appétit !
builds onEnjoy your meal!
Passer à table
similarTo go to the table / To sit down to eat
Se mettre à table
similarTo sit down at the table
Le repas est servi
synonymThe meal is served
Mettre le couvert
builds onTo set the table
Débarrasser la table
contrastTo clear the table
