morceau
morceau 30秒で
- A piece or fragment of a solid object.
- A musical composition or track.
- Used in many common idioms like 'casser le morceau'.
- Masculine noun, usually followed by the preposition 'de'.
The French word morceau is one of the most fundamental nouns in the French language, primarily used to describe a fragment or a portion of a larger whole. At its core, it refers to a physical 'piece' of something solid. Whether you are talking about a piece of bread, a piece of wood, or a piece of glass, 'morceau' is your go-to term. It implies that the object has been broken, cut, or separated from a larger mass. Unlike 'partie', which often suggests a functional or structural component (like a part of a machine), 'morceau' is more tactile and often irregular in shape.
- Physical Fragment
- A small portion of a solid substance. Example: 'Un morceau de sucre' (A cube of sugar).
L'enfant a mangé un petit morceau de chocolat après le dîner.
Beyond the physical realm, 'morceau' takes on a significant cultural role in the world of music. In this context, it refers to a musical composition or a 'track'. When a pianist plays a 'morceau de piano', they are performing a specific piece of music. This usage is very common in both formal conservatory settings and casual conversations about playlists or concerts. It highlights the word's versatility—moving from the kitchen table to the grand stage of an opera house.
- Musical Work
- A composition or performance. Example: 'C'est un beau morceau de violon.'
Quel est ton morceau préféré sur cet album ?
In literature and art, 'morceau' can refer to an excerpt or a passage. A 'morceau choisi' is a selected passage from a literary work, often used in textbooks to showcase a writer's style. This abstract usage retains the idea of a 'piece' taken from a larger body of work. Furthermore, in informal French, 'un morceau' can refer to a person, often with a connotation of being 'a catch' or 'a piece of work', though this is highly dependent on context and tone.
- Abstract Portion
- A segment of a text or a period of time. Example: 'Un morceau de vie' (A slice of life).
Ce film est un véritable morceau d'histoire.
Il a ramassé les morceaux du vase cassé.
Voulez-vous un morceau de fromage avec votre pain ?
Using morceau correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as a masculine noun and its common collocations. In most cases, it is followed by the preposition 'de' (or 'd'') to specify what the piece is made of. For example, 'un morceau de pain', 'un morceau de papier', or 'un morceau d'or'. It is important to note that when followed by 'de', we usually do not use the definite article (le/la/les) unless we are referring to a specific, previously mentioned object.
- Quantification
- Used to quantify uncountable nouns. Example: 'Donnez-moi un morceau de ce gâteau.'
Elle a découpé un morceau de tissu pour réparer sa robe.
In plural form, 'morceaux' is frequently used to describe debris or fragments. 'Tomber en morceaux' is a common expression meaning 'to fall to pieces' or 'to fall apart'. This can be used literally (a car falling apart) or figuratively (a plan or a person's emotional state). Another common structure is 'par morceaux', meaning 'piece by piece' or 'in bits'. This is useful when describing a process that happens gradually or in stages.
- Figurative Phrases
- 'Casser le morceau' means to confess or 'spill the beans'.
Après des heures d'interrogatoire, il a fini par casser le morceau.
When discussing music, 'morceau' is often modified by adjectives like 'classique', 'moderne', 'difficile', or 'magnifique'. You might say, 'C'est un morceau très technique' (It's a very technical piece). In this context, it functions similarly to 'song' (chanson) but is more formal and applies to instrumental music as well. If you are learning an instrument, your teacher might say, 'Travaille ce morceau pour la semaine prochaine' (Work on this piece for next week).
- Musical Context
- Used for tracks, songs, or movements. Example: 'Un morceau de jazz.'
J'adore ce morceau, il me rappelle mes vacances.
Le boucher m'a donné un excellent morceau de bœuf.
Il faut recoller les morceaux de la vitre.
You will encounter morceau in a wide variety of daily environments in France. In a 'boulangerie' or 'pâtisserie', it is ubiquitous. Customers often ask for 'un morceau de pain' or 'un morceau de tarte'. It is the standard way to request a portion when the item isn't sold as a whole unit. In a family setting, you might hear a parent say to a child, 'Mange encore un petit morceau' (Eat one more little bite), emphasizing its role in food and dining culture.
- In the Kitchen
- Commonly used for food portions. Example: 'Un morceau de beurre.'
Ajoutez un morceau de gingembre frais à la soupe.
In the media and entertainment industry, radio hosts frequently use the word when introducing music. They might say, 'Nous allons écouter un morceau de l'artiste...' (We are going to listen to a track by the artist...). Similarly, in music schools (conservatoires), students and teachers use it constantly to refer to the repertoire they are studying. It is the professional term for a musical work, distinguishing it from a 'chanson' which specifically implies singing.
- In Professional Settings
- Used for tasks or projects. Example: 'Ce projet est un gros morceau.'
Le premier chapitre du livre est un morceau d'anthologie.
In legal or investigative contexts, the idiom 'casser le morceau' (to confess) is a staple of French crime dramas and detective novels. You'll hear police officers in movies pressuring suspects to 'casser le morceau'. Additionally, in construction or DIY contexts, workers will talk about 'morceaux de bois' or 'morceaux de métal' when discussing materials. It is a practical, everyday word that bridges the gap between the mundane and the specialized.
- On the Street
- Used for litter or broken objects. Example: 'Il y a des morceaux de verre partout.'
Attention aux morceaux de verre sur le trottoir.
On a fait un morceau de route sous la pluie.
Il a mis un morceau de scotch sur la boîte.
One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is confusing morceau with 'partie'. While both can translate to 'piece' or 'part', they are not interchangeable. 'Partie' refers to a component of a structured system or a division of a whole (like a part of a car or a part of a book), whereas 'morceau' refers to a physical fragment or a portion that has been separated. You wouldn't say 'un morceau de voiture' unless the car had actually been smashed into pieces.
- Morceau vs. Partie
- Use 'morceau' for physical fragments; use 'partie' for logical divisions.
C'est une partie du problème, pas un morceau.
Another common mistake is the confusion between 'morceau' and 'tranche'. A 'tranche' is a slice—something thin and flat, usually cut with a knife from a larger loaf or slab (like bread, ham, or cake). A 'morceau' is a more general term for a piece, often chunkier or less uniform. If you ask for a 'morceau de pain', you might get a broken-off end of a baguette; if you ask for a 'tranche de pain', you expect a neat slice. Using the wrong term can lead to confusion in a bakery or restaurant.
- Morceau vs. Tranche
- 'Tranche' is for slices; 'morceau' is for pieces or chunks.
Je préfère une tranche fine de jambon.
In the context of music, learners sometimes use 'chanson' (song) for everything. Remember that 'chanson' specifically implies lyrics and singing. If you are talking about a piece of classical music or an instrumental jazz track, 'morceau' is the correct term. Calling a Beethoven symphony a 'chanson' would sound quite odd to a native speaker. Also, be careful with the plural 'morceaux'; the 'x' is silent, so the pronunciation remains the same as the singular.
- Morceau vs. Chanson
- 'Chanson' is for singing; 'morceau' is for any musical piece.
Ce morceau instrumental est magnifique.
Il a ramassé une pièce de deux euros.
Le puzzle a mille pièces (Note: 'pièce' is used for puzzle pieces!).
To truly master morceau, you should understand how it relates to its synonyms and near-synonyms. The most common alternative is 'bout'. While 'bout' also means 'piece' or 'bit', it often implies an end or a tip (like 'le bout du tunnel'). However, in casual speech, 'un bout de pain' and 'un morceau de pain' are often used interchangeably. 'Bout' is slightly more informal and can also refer to a short duration of time ('un petit bout de temps').
- Morceau vs. Bout
- 'Morceau' is more formal/standard; 'bout' is more casual and can mean 'end'.
On a fait un petit bout de chemin ensemble.
Another related word is 'fragment'. This is a more technical or literary term, used when describing pieces of ancient pottery, broken glass, or incomplete texts. It carries a sense of something being broken or shattered. 'Éclat' is another specific term, referring to a shard or a splinter, usually of something hard and brittle like glass, stone, or metal. If a window breaks, you have 'des éclats de verre'.
- Morceau vs. Fragment
- 'Fragment' is more scientific or literary; 'morceau' is everyday.
Les archéologues ont trouvé des fragments de poterie.
In the musical context, 'œuvre' is a broader term for a work of art or a composition. While 'morceau' refers to a single piece or track, 'œuvre' refers to the entire body of work of an artist or a specific major composition (like an opera). 'Titre' is also used in the modern music industry to mean 'track' or 'song title'. When browsing Spotify in French, you will see 'titres' rather than 'morceaux'.
- Morceau vs. Œuvre
- 'Œuvre' is the whole work; 'morceau' is one piece of it.
Cette symphonie est son œuvre la plus célèbre.
Il ne reste que des miettes sur la table.
C'est un morceau de choix pour un collectionneur.
How Formal Is It?
発音ガイド
難易度
知っておくべき文法
Plural of nouns ending in -eau.
Partitive articles vs. 'un morceau de'.
Preposition 'de' after nouns of quantity.
Adjective placement with 'morceau'.
Gender of nouns ending in -eau.
レベル別の例文
Je mange un morceau de pain.
I am eating a piece of bread.
Uses 'un morceau de' + noun.
Tu veux un morceau de chocolat ?
Do you want a piece of chocolate?
Question form with 'un morceau de'.
C'est un petit morceau de fromage.
It is a small piece of cheese.
Adjective 'petit' comes before 'morceau'.
Il y a un morceau de sucre dans le café.
There is a sugar cube in the coffee.
Common collocation: 'morceau de sucre'.
Elle écoute un morceau de musique.
She is listening to a piece of music.
Musical context for 'morceau'.
Donne-moi un morceau de papier, s'il te plaît.
Give me a piece of paper, please.
Imperative form.
Le gâteau est coupé en huit morceaux.
The cake is cut into eight pieces.
Plural 'morceaux' with a number.
Je cherche un morceau de bois.
I am looking for a piece of wood.
Basic noun usage.
Le verre est tombé et il est en morceaux.
The glass fell and it is in pieces.
Expression 'en morceaux'.
J'ai trouvé un morceau de verre sur le tapis.
I found a piece of glass on the carpet.
Singular use for a fragment.
On va marcher un morceau de chemin ensemble.
We are going to walk a bit of the way together.
Figurative use for distance.
Ce morceau de piano est très facile à jouer.
This piano piece is very easy to play.
Musical piece description.
Il a mis les morceaux du puzzle sur la table.
He put the puzzle pieces on the table.
Plural 'morceaux' for parts of a game.
Voulez-vous un autre morceau de tarte ?
Would you like another piece of pie?
Use of 'autre' with 'morceau'.
Elle a recousu le morceau de tissu déchiré.
She sewed back the torn piece of fabric.
Specific object description.
Le chien a volé un morceau de viande.
The dog stole a piece of meat.
Common culinary context.
Le voleur a fini par casser le morceau.
The thief finally confessed.
Idiom: 'casser le morceau'.
C'est un gros morceau du budget de l'entreprise.
It's a big chunk of the company's budget.
Figurative use for quantity/importance.
Il a fallu ramasser les morceaux après la dispute.
We had to pick up the pieces after the argument.
Metaphorical use for emotional repair.
Ce morceau de film est devenu culte.
This movie clip has become a cult classic.
Referring to a segment of media.
Elle a lu quelques morceaux choisis de Victor Hugo.
She read some selected excerpts from Victor Hugo.
Literary term: 'morceaux choisis'.
Le projet avance morceau par morceau.
The project is progressing bit by bit.
Adverbial phrase 'morceau par morceau'.
C'est un beau morceau de femme, n'est-ce pas ?
She's quite a catch/striking woman, isn't she? (Colloquial)
Informal/Colloquial usage.
Il a gardé un morceau de gâteau pour plus tard.
He kept a piece of cake for later.
Standard usage.
Cette scène est un véritable morceau d'anthologie.
This scene is a true classic/masterpiece.
Expression: 'morceau d'anthologie'.
L'avocat a réussi à emporter le morceau.
The lawyer managed to win the case/argument.
Idiom: 'emporter le morceau'.
La ville est un morceau d'histoire à elle seule.
The city is a piece of history in itself.
Abstract metaphorical use.
Il a fallu diviser ce gros morceau en plusieurs tâches.
We had to divide this big task into several tasks.
Using 'morceau' for a complex task.
Le compositeur a écrit ce morceau de bravoure pour le violon.
The composer wrote this showpiece for the violin.
Technical musical term: 'morceau de bravoure'.
Le pays a été découpé en plusieurs morceaux après la guerre.
The country was carved into several pieces after the war.
Political/Geographical context.
Il ne faut pas s'arrêter en si bon chemin, on a fait le plus gros morceau.
We shouldn't stop now, we've done the biggest part.
Idiomatic use for progress.
C'est un morceau de littérature très complexe.
It is a very complex piece of literature.
Academic context.
Le morcellement du territoire complique la gestion.
The fragmentation of the territory complicates management.
Related noun: 'morcellement'.
L'œuvre se compose de morceaux disparates.
The work consists of disparate pieces.
Describing artistic composition.
Il nous a livré un morceau de sa philosophie personnelle.
He gave us a piece of his personal philosophy.
Abstract intellectual use.
Le texte est parsemé de morceaux de bravoure oratoire.
The text is peppered with displays of oratorical virtuosity.
Rhetorical context.
La mémoire ne nous revient que par morceaux.
Memory only comes back to us in bits and pieces.
Psychological/Abstract use.
Ce quartier est un morceau de campagne en pleine ville.
This neighborhood is a slice of the countryside in the middle of the city.
Metaphorical contrast.
Il a fallu recoller les morceaux d'une alliance brisée.
The pieces of a broken alliance had to be put back together.
Diplomatic metaphor.
L'auteur excelle dans l'art du morceau court.
The author excels in the art of the short piece.
Literary criticism.
Le morcellement de l'identité postmoderne est un thème récurrent.
The fragmentation of postmodern identity is a recurring theme.
High-level philosophical theme.
Il s'agit d'un morceau d'anthologie de la pensée critique.
It is a quintessential piece of critical thought.
Formal academic praise.
La structure même du récit est en morceaux.
The very structure of the narrative is fragmented.
Structural analysis.
On assiste à un morcellement parcellaire du pouvoir.
We are witnessing a piecemeal fragmentation of power.
Political science terminology.
Chaque aphorisme est un morceau de vérité brute.
Each aphorism is a piece of raw truth.
Philosophical metaphor.
Le poète joue sur le morcellement des vers.
The poet plays on the fragmentation of the verses.
Literary/Poetic analysis.
L'archéologue a reconstitué le vase à partir de morceaux infimes.
The archaeologist reconstructed the vase from tiny fragments.
Technical precision.
C'est un morceau de bravoure technique sans précédent.
It is an unprecedented display of technical virtuosity.
Superlative formal praise.
よく使う組み合わせ
よく使うフレーズ
よく混同される語
慣用句と表現
間違えやすい
文型パターン
使い方
It is the standard professional term for a composition.
It acts as a unit of measurement for uncountable solids.
- Saying 'une morceau' (it's masculine).
- Saying 'un morceau gâteau' (missing the 'de').
- Using 'morceau' for a slice of ham (use 'tranche').
- Using 'morceau' for a room in a house (use 'pièce').
- Pronouncing the 'x' in 'morceaux'.
ヒント
Plural Rule
Nouns ending in -eau always take an -x in the plural.
Food Context
Use 'morceau' for chunks of cheese or bread.
Musical Terms
Use 'morceau' for instrumental tracks.
Confession
Use 'casser le morceau' when someone finally tells the truth.
Morceau vs Partie
Use 'morceau' for physical bits, 'partie' for abstract parts.
Vowel Sound
The 'eau' sound is a closed 'o'.
Preposition Use
Don't forget the 'de' after 'morceau'.
Snack Time
'Manger un morceau' means to have a quick bite.
Emotional State
'Être en morceaux' can mean being emotionally devastated.
Latin Root
Remember 'morsel' to help you remember 'morceau'.
暗記しよう
語源
Latin
文化的な背景
Used in classical music education (conservatoires).
Common in detective novels (polar).
Used for 'morceau de fromage' at the end of a meal.
実生活で練習する
実際の使用場面
会話のきっかけ
"Quel est ton morceau de musique préféré ?"
"Tu veux un morceau de mon gâteau ?"
"Est-ce que tu as un morceau de papier ?"
"C'est un gros morceau ce projet, non ?"
"Tu as entendu ce morceau à la radio ?"
日記のテーマ
Décrivez votre morceau de musique préféré.
Écrivez sur un moment où quelque chose est tombé en morceaux.
Quel morceau de gâteau préférez-vous ?
Racontez une histoire où quelqu'un doit 'casser le morceau'.
Décrivez un morceau de votre vie importante.
よくある質問
10 問It is masculine: 'le morceau' or 'un morceau'.
The plural is 'morceaux', ending with an 'x'.
Yes, 'un morceau de musique' is very common for a track or song.
A 'tranche' is a thin slice, while a 'morceau' is a chunk or piece.
It is an idiom meaning 'to confess' or 'to tell the truth'.
No, the 'x' is silent.
Only if the car is literally broken into fragments.
Say 'Un morceau de pain, s'il vous plaît'.
Usually 'pièce' is used for puzzles, but 'morceau' can be heard informally.
It refers to a classic or famous scene or passage.
自分をテスト 180 問
Translate: 'I want a piece of chocolate.'
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Simple A1 sentence.
Simple A1 sentence.
Translate: 'It is a piece of music.'
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Musical context.
Musical context.
Say: 'Un morceau de pain, s'il vous plaît.'
Read this aloud:
あなたの回答:
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Practice pronunciation.
Listen and write the word: [Audio: morceau]
Identify the sound.
Translate: 'The glass is in pieces.'
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Using 'en morceaux'.
Using 'en morceaux'.
Translate: 'He finally confessed.'
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Using the idiom.
Using the idiom.
Translate: 'The fragmentation of the land.'
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Advanced noun usage.
Advanced noun usage.
Write 'a piece of bread'.
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Basic phrase.
Basic phrase.
Write 'two pieces'.
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Plural practice.
Plural practice.
Say 'morceau'.
Read this aloud:
あなたの回答:
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Pronunciation.
Listen: 'un morceau'.
Aural recognition.
Write 'a piece'.
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Basic.
Basic.
Write 'the piece'.
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Basic.
Basic.
Write 'pieces'.
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Basic.
Basic.
Write 'the pieces'.
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Basic.
Basic.
Write 'a small piece'.
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Basic.
Basic.
Write 'a big piece'.
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Basic.
Basic.
Write 'a piece of cake'.
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Basic.
Basic.
Write 'a piece of bread'.
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Basic.
Basic.
Write 'a piece of sugar'.
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Basic.
Basic.
Write 'a piece of music'.
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Basic.
Basic.
Write 'the pieces of the vase'.
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Genitive case.
Genitive case.
Write 'a piece of cloth'.
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Vocabulary.
Vocabulary.
Write 'a piece of string'.
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Vocabulary.
Vocabulary.
Write 'a piece of tape'.
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Vocabulary.
Vocabulary.
Write 'a piece of meat'.
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Vocabulary.
Vocabulary.
Write 'a piece of fruit'.
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Vocabulary.
Vocabulary.
Write 'a piece of ice'.
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Vocabulary.
Vocabulary.
Write 'a piece of coal'.
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Vocabulary.
Vocabulary.
Write 'a piece of land'.
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Vocabulary.
Vocabulary.
Write 'a piece of sky'.
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Vocabulary.
Vocabulary.
Write 'he confessed'.
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Idiom.
Idiom.
Write 'bit by bit'.
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Idiom.
Idiom.
Write 'a slice of life'.
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Idiom.
Idiom.
Write 'to have a bite'.
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Idiom.
Idiom.
Write 'a big task'.
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Idiom.
Idiom.
Write 'a masterpiece'.
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Idiom.
Idiom.
Write 'a showpiece'.
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Idiom.
Idiom.
Write 'to win the argument'.
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Idiom.
Idiom.
Write 'selected excerpts'.
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Idiom.
Idiom.
Write 'to fall apart'.
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Idiom.
Idiom.
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Morceau is a versatile masculine noun meaning 'piece' or 'musical track'. Use it for physical fragments (bread, glass) and musical works. Example: 'Un morceau de gâteau' (A piece of cake).
- A piece or fragment of a solid object.
- A musical composition or track.
- Used in many common idioms like 'casser le morceau'.
- Masculine noun, usually followed by the preposition 'de'.
Plural Rule
Nouns ending in -eau always take an -x in the plural.
Food Context
Use 'morceau' for chunks of cheese or bread.
Musical Terms
Use 'morceau' for instrumental tracks.
Confession
Use 'casser le morceau' when someone finally tells the truth.
例文
Donne-moi un petit morceau de gâteau.
関連コンテンツ
foodの関連語
à base de
B1〜をベースにした、〜を主成分とする。
à la boulangerie
A2At the bakery.
à la carte
A2定食ではなく、メニューから単品で料理を注文すること。
à la charcuterie
A2At the deli; where cold meats and prepared foods are sold.
à la coque
A2Soft-boiled (for eggs).
à la demande
B1On demand; upon request.
à la poêle
A2フライパンで焼いた;フライパン調理の。
à la poissonnerie
A2At the fishmonger's; where fresh fish is sold.
à la vapeur
A2蒸気で調理されたもの。蒸し料理。
à l'apéritif
B1アペリティフ(食前酒)の時に。食事の前に出される飲み物や軽食について使います。