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crudités

A2 noun #9,000 most common 11 min read

crudités

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips crudités in 30 Seconds

Explanation crudités in your Level:

At the A1 level, you just need to know that 'crudités' means raw vegetables. You will see this word on menus in France. Think of it like a 'veggie platter'. It is a feminine plural word, so you usually say 'les crudités' or 'des crudités'. You might use it when ordering a simple lunch or shopping at the supermarket. For example, 'Je voudrais des crudités' (I would like some raw vegetables). It's an easy way to get a healthy meal while traveling. Just remember the 's' at the end is silent, and it sounds like 'cru-dee-tay'. It's one of the first food words you'll learn because it's so common in French baguettes (sandwiches). If you see 'Sandwich Crudités', it just means a sandwich with fresh lettuce, tomato, and maybe egg or cucumber inside.

At the A2 level, you should be able to use 'crudités' in more complete sentences and understand its role in a meal. You know it's an 'entrée' (starter). You can describe what is in the crudités: 'Il y a des carottes, des tomates et du concombre dans les crudités'. You should also be aware of the 'Sandwich Crudités' which is a staple of French fast food. You can talk about your preferences: 'Je préfère les crudités avec une sauce au yaourt'. At this level, you are starting to notice that French people eat these very often to stay healthy. You might also use the word when talking about a picnic or a party you are organizing with friends. It's a useful word for basic social interactions involving food.

At the B1 level, you can discuss the cultural importance of 'crudités' in the French diet. You understand that they are part of a balanced 'repas équilibré'. You can explain why you like them, perhaps mentioning the texture ('c'est croquant') or the health benefits ('c'est plein de vitamines'). You are comfortable using the word with different verbs like 'râper' (to grate) or 'assaisonner' (to season). You might say, 'J'aime préparer des crudités pour l'apéro parce que c'est plus léger que des biscuits'. You also understand that 'crudités' is a category, and you can distinguish it from 'salade verte'. You can follow a simple recipe for 'carottes râpées' and understand that it falls under the 'crudités' umbrella.

At the B2 level, you can use 'crudités' in more sophisticated contexts, such as discussing nutrition or culinary techniques. You might talk about the 'assiette de crudités' as a classic bistro dish and how it reflects French regional produce. You can use the word in the context of 'diététique' (dietetics) and discuss the enzymes found in raw food. You might say, 'La consommation de crudités en début de repas facilite la satiété'. You are also aware of the nuances in restaurant menus, such as 'crudités de saison', and you can ask the waiter for details about the selection. You can debate the merits of raw vs. cooked food using this vocabulary. Your grammar with the word is perfect, including feminine plural agreements.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the word's place in French gastronomy. You can discuss the history of 'crudités' and how they evolved from simple peasant food to elegant restaurant starters. You might use the word when discussing 'art de vivre' or the 'gastronomic meal of the French' (classified by UNESCO). You can describe complex preparations, such as a 'mousseline de légumes' served with 'fines crudités'. You understand metaphorical or idiomatic uses in culinary reviews, like 'une fraîcheur de crudités' to describe a wine's crispness (though rare, it's possible in creative writing). You can write a detailed critique of a meal, noting the quality and presentation of the crudités platter.

At the C2 level, you use 'crudités' with the ease of a native speaker, including in professional culinary or nutritional settings. You can discuss the chemical changes in vegetables when they are served as 'crudités' versus when they are cooked. You might explore the word's etymology from the Latin 'cruditas' and how its meaning has shifted over centuries. You can use the term in high-level debates about food security, organic farming ('le bio'), and the 'circuit court' (buying local). You understand the subtle social signals of serving 'crudités' at different types of events. Your mastery is such that you can play with the word in wordplay or advanced stylistic writing about the sensory experience of eating raw, vibrant produce.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

crudités in 30 Seconds

Crudités are raw, sliced vegetables served as a French starter.
The word is always feminine plural: 'les crudités'.
Common ingredients include carrots, radishes, and cucumbers.
It is a healthy, crunchy staple of French home and restaurant dining.

The French word crudités is a feminine plural noun that refers specifically to raw vegetables, often sliced or grated, and served as an appetizer or a side dish. In the hierarchy of French dining, it represents the quintessential 'entrée' (which in France means the first course, not the main course). The word is derived from the French adjective cru, meaning raw. When you encounter crudités on a menu or at a dinner party, you aren't just looking at a pile of vegetables; you are engaging with a fundamental part of the French balanced meal philosophy, emphasizing freshness, texture, and the natural flavors of seasonal produce.

Common Varieties: Typically includes carrots (carottes râpées), cucumbers (concombres), radishes (radis), celery (céleri-rave), and bell peppers (poivrons).

The use of crudités is most prevalent during the 'apéro' (aperitif) or as a light starter during lunch. Unlike the American concept of a 'veggie tray' which might be seen as a casual snack, the French plateau de crudités is often meticulously prepared with vinaigrettes or creamy sauces like remoulade. It is used to stimulate the appetite without overwhelming the palate before the main course. You will hear this word in every household across France, especially during the summer months when the markets are overflowing with fresh garden bounty.

Pour commencer le repas, j'ai préparé un grand plateau de crudités avec une sauce au yaourt.

In a broader cultural context, crudités signifies a commitment to health and 'le bien-manger' (eating well). It is the antithesis of processed food. When a host offers you crudités, they are offering you the essence of the season. It is also a very versatile term; it can refer to the simple act of eating raw carrots or a complex arrangement of ten different vegetables in a Michelin-starred restaurant. The word remains plural because it almost always implies a variety, rather than just one type of vegetable.

Culinary Role: Served as an 'amuse-bouche' or a starter to provide a crunchy contrast to the softer textures of main meat or pasta dishes.

Furthermore, the word is used in nutritional contexts. Doctors and nutritionists frequently use crudités when discussing the importance of fiber and vitamins. It is a word that carries a positive, vibrant connotation. It is rare to hear someone speak of crudités in a negative way, as they are seen as the purest form of vegetable consumption. Whether it is a child being encouraged to eat their 'petites crudités' or a chef describing his latest 'déclinaison de crudités', the word is central to the French vocabulary of food.

Les enfants préfèrent souvent les crudités aux légumes cuits car elles sont croquantes.

Using crudités correctly involves understanding its grammatical function as a feminine plural noun. Most often, it is preceded by the definite article les, the indefinite article des, or a partitive construction. Because it describes a category of food, it follows the standard rules of French food nouns. For example, when expressing a general preference, you would say 'J'aime les crudités'. When talking about a specific portion you are eating, you would say 'Je mange des crudités'.

Grammatical Agreement: Since 'crudités' is feminine plural, any accompanying adjectives must also be feminine plural. Example: 'Des crudités fraîches' (Fresh raw vegetables).

In a restaurant setting, you might see crudités listed under the 'Entrées' section. A common sentence might be: 'En entrée, je prendrai l'assiette de crudités'. Here, the word acts as the object of the verb. It is also frequently paired with the preposition 'de' to describe a platter or a selection. 'Un assortiment de crudités' is a very common phrase used in catering and hosting. The word is versatile enough to be used in simple declarative sentences or complex culinary descriptions.

Est-ce que tu as pensé à acheter des crudités pour le pique-nique de demain ?

When describing the preparation of crudités, you often use verbs like préparer, couper (to cut), râper (to grate), or servir. For instance, 'Elle est en train de râper des carottes pour faire des crudités'. Note how the specific vegetable (carrots) becomes part of the larger category (crudités). In French schools, children are taught about 'les crudités et les cuits' (raw and cooked vegetables) to understand nutritional balance, making it a word learned very early in life.

In more formal writing, such as a recipe book or a health blog, crudités might be used to discuss the benefits of raw enzymes. 'La consommation régulière de crudités favorise une bonne digestion'. Here, the word is the subject of the sentence. Regardless of the level of formality, the word maintains its identity as a plural entity representing variety and freshness. It is almost never used to describe a single piece of raw vegetable, like one carrot stick; that would simply be 'un bâtonnet de carotte'.

Le chef propose une sélection de crudités de saison accompagnées d'une anchoïade.

Common Verbs: Servir (to serve), assaisonner (to season), grignoter (to snack on), disposer (to arrange).

If you walk into any French 'boulangerie' or 'traiteur' (deli/caterer) around noon, you will undoubtedly hear the word crudités. It is most commonly heard in the context of the 'sandwich crudités'. This isn't just a sandwich with vegetables; it is a specific type of French baguette sandwich that usually includes lettuce, tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and often mayonnaise. If someone asks for a 'jambon-crudités', they want a ham sandwich with those specific raw vegetable additions. This is perhaps the most frequent everyday use of the word among commuters and students.

Market Talk: At local markets (le marché), vendors might shout about their 'beaux légumes pour vos crudités', enticing customers to buy fresh produce for their appetizers.

Another place you will hear this word is at a 'buffet'. Whether it is a wedding, a corporate event, or a family reunion, there is almost always a 'pôle crudités' or a 'buffet de crudités'. People will say things like 'Je vais me resservir des crudités' (I'm going to get some more raw veggies). In these social settings, crudités are the safe, healthy option that everyone expects to see. It is a social lubricant of the French dining table, providing something to crunch on while the main meal is being discussed.

Au restaurant universitaire, il y a toujours un grand choix de crudités en libre-service.

On French television, especially on cooking shows like 'Top Chef' or 'Le Meilleur Pâtissier' (when they do savory challenges), chefs might talk about the 'croquant des crudités' (the crunch of the raw vegetables). They use the word to describe a specific texture profile they are trying to achieve in a dish. Even in health-focused segments on the news, journalists will discuss the benefits of 'manger des crudités au début du repas' to help regulate blood sugar. It is a word that spans from the most casual street food to high-level medical and culinary discourse.

Lastly, you will hear it in domestic life. A parent might ask a child, 'Tu veux quelles crudités ce soir ? Des carottes ou des tomates ?' This highlights the word's role as a category marker. It simplifies the choice of vegetables by grouping them under the 'raw' umbrella. In French culture, the distinction between raw and cooked is quite sharp, and crudités is the primary label for that entire raw vegetable category.

Pendant l'apéritif, on a grignoté des crudités au lieu de chips pour rester en forme.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is trying to use the word in the singular. In English, we might say 'I'm eating a raw vegetable', but in French, you almost never say 'Je mange une crudité'. While not technically 'wrong' in a dictionary sense, it sounds very strange to a native speaker. The concept of crudités is inherently plural—it represents a variety or a platter. If you want to talk about a single vegetable, use its specific name (e.g., 'une carotte') rather than the category name.

Singular vs. Plural: Mistake: 'Je voudrais une crudité.' Correct: 'Je voudrais des crudités' or 'Je voudrais une carotte'.

Another common error is confusing crudités with a simple salad. While a salad can be made of raw vegetables, crudités usually refers to vegetables that are sliced, grated, or left whole (like radishes or cherry tomatoes) and served as a distinct course or snack, often without a leaf-lettuce base. If you order 'une salade' and expect a platter of sliced carrots and cucumbers, you might be disappointed to receive a bowl of green leaves. Conversely, ordering 'des crudités' will specifically get you those crunchy, sliced vegetables.

Attention : ne confondez pas les crudités avec les légumes cuits à la vapeur.

Gender agreement is also a stumbling block. Because crudités ends in 'és' (though it is actually 'és' in the plural, the root is 'crudité'), some learners mistake it for a masculine noun because it doesn't end in the traditional 'e'. However, it is feminine. You must say 'les crudités sont bonnes' (feminine), not 'bons' (masculine). This is a subtle point but important for achieving a natural-sounding French.

Lastly, learners often forget the 'des' or 'les' before the word. In English, we can say 'I like raw vegetables'. In French, you cannot say 'J'aime crudités'. You must use the article: 'J'aime les crudités'. This rule applies to all general categories in French, but it's particularly easy to forget with food items. Omitting the article makes the sentence sound 'broken' or like 'Tarzan French'.

Elle ne mange jamais de crudités car elle a l'estomac sensible.

Pronunciation Tip: The 's' at the end of 'crudités' is silent. Don't pronounce it! It sounds like 'cru-dee-tay'.

When exploring the world of French appetizers and vegetables, several words are closely related to crudités but have distinct nuances. Understanding these differences will help you sound more like a native speaker and better understand menus. The most common alternative is hors-d'œuvre. While crudités are a type of hors-d'œuvre, the latter is a much broader category that can include cooked items, meats (charcuterie), or even small pastries.

Crudités vs. Salade: Crudités are specific raw vegetables (carrots, cucumber, etc.), whereas 'salade' usually implies a dish based on leafy greens like lettuce or arugula.

Another related term is antipasti. While this is an Italian word, it is commonly used in France to refer to Mediterranean-style appetizers. However, antipasti often involves vegetables that have been grilled and preserved in oil (like peppers or artichokes), which makes them the opposite of crudités, which must be raw. If you want something fresh and crunchy, stick with crudités; if you want something rich and marinated, go for antipasti.

Pour l'apéritif, on peut servir des crudités ou des amuse-bouches plus élaborés.

You might also hear the term bâtonnets de légumes. This is a more descriptive way of referring to vegetables cut into sticks, specifically for dipping. While crudités is the category, bâtonnets describes the shape. Similarly, carottes râpées (grated carrots) is a specific type of crudités that is so ubiquitous in France it almost deserves its own category. You will find it in every supermarket and bistro, usually dressed in a simple lemon vinaigrette.

Finally, consider the word accompagnement. While crudités are often an entry course, they can also serve as an accompagnement (side dish) for a main meal, particularly with grilled meats or fish. However, in this role, they are often just called 'une petite salade' or 'des légumes frais'. The word crudités strongly retains its 'starter' or 'snack' connotation in the French mind.

Le plateau de crudités est une alternative saine aux chips et biscuits salés.

Terminology Summary: Hors-d'œuvre: Starters (general). Antipasti: Marinated/Grilled starters. Bâtonnets: Vegetable sticks. Salade: Leafy greens.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Nous vous proposons une sélection de crudités de notre potager."

Neutral

"Il y a des crudités au frigo si tu as faim."

Informal

"On se fait un petit plateau crudités pour l'apéro ?"

Child friendly

"Mange tes petites crudités pour devenir fort !"

Slang

"C'est que de la crudité son truc."

Fun Fact

The word originally had a negative connotation in Latin related to indigestion, but in modern French, it is associated with health and vitality.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kʁy.di.te/

US /kɹu.di.teɪ/

The stress is even, with a slight emphasis on the final syllable 'tés'.

Rhymes With

santé été liberté beauté volonté côté dicté chanté

Common Errors

Pronouncing the final 's'.
Using an English 'u' (oo) instead of the French 'u'.
Making the 'd' too hard.
Pronouncing 'cru' like 'crew'.
Stress on the first syllable.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize if you know the English cognate.

Writing 3/5

Need to remember the 'e' with the accent and the final 's'.

Speaking 3/5

The French 'u' and silent 's' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Clearly pronounced in most contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

légume cru manger bon frais

Learn Next

vinaigrette entrée apéritif râper assaisonner

Advanced

gastronomie enzymatique crudivorisme maraîcher julienne

Grammar to Know

Plural of nouns ending in -é

Une crudité -> Des crudités.

Feminine gender for abstract-derived nouns

La crudité (from 'cru').

Partitive articles with food

Je mange DES crudités.

Adjective agreement (feminine plural)

Les crudités sont FRAÎCHES.

Compound nouns with hyphen

Un jambon-crudités.

Examples by Level

J'aime les crudités.

I like raw vegetables.

Uses 'les' for general preference.

Tu veux des crudités ?

Do you want some raw vegetables?

Partitive 'des' for 'some'.

Voici un sandwich crudités.

Here is a raw vegetable sandwich.

Compound noun structure.

Les crudités sont bonnes.

The raw vegetables are good.

Feminine plural agreement 'bonnes'.

Il y a des carottes dans les crudités.

There are carrots in the raw vegetables.

Preposition 'dans'.

Je mange des crudités à midi.

I eat raw vegetables at noon.

Time expression 'à midi'.

C'est une assiette de crudités.

It is a plate of raw vegetables.

Indefinite article 'une'.

Les crudités sont fraîches.

The raw vegetables are fresh.

Adjective 'fraîches' (fem. pl.).

Je prépare des crudités pour le pique-nique.

I am preparing raw vegetables for the picnic.

Verb 'préparer' in present tense.

Il n'y a pas de crudités dans le frigo.

There are no raw vegetables in the fridge.

Negation 'pas de' replaces 'des'.

Nous servons les crudités avec une sauce.

We serve the raw vegetables with a sauce.

Verb 'servir' with 'avec'.

Est-ce que tu préfères les crudités ou la soupe ?

Do you prefer raw vegetables or soup?

Comparison of two items.

Ma mère fait souvent des crudités en entrée.

My mother often makes raw vegetables as a starter.

Adverb 'souvent' placement.

On achète des crudités au marché le samedi.

We buy raw vegetables at the market on Saturdays.

Pronoun 'on' used as 'we'.

Les crudités sont très saines pour la santé.

Raw vegetables are very healthy for one's health.

Adjective 'saines' (fem. pl.).

Elle coupe les crudités en petits morceaux.

She cuts the raw vegetables into small pieces.

Preposition 'en' for shape/form.

Pour l'apéro, j'ai prévu un grand plateau de crudités.

For the appetizer, I've planned a large platter of raw vegetables.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

Les crudités apportent beaucoup de vitamines au corps.

Raw vegetables provide many vitamins to the body.

Verb 'apporter' (to bring/provide).

Si tu veux maigrir, mange plus de crudités.

If you want to lose weight, eat more raw vegetables.

Imperative mood 'mange'.

J'ai oublié d'assaisonner les crudités ce soir.

I forgot to season the raw vegetables tonight.

Infinitive construction 'oublié de'.

Les crudités de ce restaurant sont toujours croquantes.

This restaurant's raw vegetables are always crunchy.

Adjective 'croquantes'.

On peut varier les plaisirs avec différentes crudités.

One can vary the pleasures with different raw vegetables.

Plural adjective 'différentes'.

Elle a servi un assortiment de crudités très coloré.

She served a very colorful assortment of raw vegetables.

Noun 'assortiment' is masculine, but 'crudités' remains feminine.

Il est important de laver les crudités avant de les consommer.

It is important to wash raw vegetables before consuming them.

Direct object pronoun 'les'.

La fraîcheur des crudités est essentielle pour une bonne entrée.

The freshness of the raw vegetables is essential for a good starter.

Abstract noun 'fraîcheur'.

Ce chef revisite les crudités avec des saveurs exotiques.

This chef reimagines raw vegetables with exotic flavors.

Verb 'revisiter' in culinary context.

Malgré le froid, j'ai envie de manger des crudités.

Despite the cold, I feel like eating raw vegetables.

Conjunction 'malgré'.

Les crudités constituent une part importante du régime méditerranéen.

Raw vegetables constitute an important part of the Mediterranean diet.

Verb 'constituer'.

Il a agrémenté ses crudités d'une sauce à l'aneth.

He enhanced his raw vegetables with a dill sauce.

Verb 'agrémenter' (to enhance/embellish).

Les enfants boudent parfois les crudités s'il n'y a pas de sauce.

Children sometimes snub raw vegetables if there is no sauce.

Verb 'bouder' (to pout/snub).

On trouve des crudités déjà préparées dans tous les supermarchés.

One finds pre-prepared raw vegetables in all supermarkets.

Adjective 'préparées' agreeing with 'crudités'.

La texture des crudités contraste avec le fondant du fromage.

The texture of the raw vegetables contrasts with the creaminess of the cheese.

Verb 'contraster'.

L'abondance de crudités sur les étals annonce l'arrivée de l'été.

The abundance of raw vegetables on the stalls heralds the arrival of summer.

Subject-verb agreement with 'abondance'.

Il convient de privilégier les crudités de saison pour un goût optimal.

It is advisable to prioritize seasonal raw vegetables for optimal taste.

Formal expression 'il convient de'.

Le nutritionniste préconise une portion de crudités à chaque repas.

The nutritionist recommends a portion of raw vegetables at each meal.

Verb 'préconiser' (to recommend/advocate).

Ces crudités sont sublimées par une vinaigrette au miel et au gingembre.

These raw vegetables are enhanced by a honey and ginger vinaigrette.

Passive voice 'sont sublimées'.

La découpe des crudités en julienne demande une certaine dextérité.

Cutting raw vegetables into julienne requires a certain dexterity.

Culinary term 'julienne'.

Rien ne vaut le croquant des crudités fraîchement cueillies du potager.

Nothing beats the crunch of raw vegetables freshly picked from the garden.

Expression 'rien ne vaut'.

L'amertume de certaines crudités peut être atténuée par un trait de citron.

The bitterness of some raw vegetables can be mitigated by a dash of lemon.

Noun 'amertume'.

Le buffet offrait une déclinaison de crudités tout à fait remarquable.

The buffet offered a quite remarkable range of raw vegetables.

Noun 'déclinaison' in a variety sense.

L'omniprésence des crudités dans la gastronomie française témoigne d'un attachement aux produits du terroir.

The omnipresence of raw vegetables in French gastronomy testifies to an attachment to local products.

Sophisticated verb 'témoigner'.

S'adonner à la consommation de crudités est un prérequis pour une cure détox réussie.

Indulging in the consumption of raw vegetables is a prerequisite for a successful detox cure.

Pronominal verb 's'adonner à'.

La subtilité aromatique des crudités se marie parfaitement avec les vins blancs secs.

The aromatic subtlety of raw vegetables pairs perfectly with dry white wines.

Verb 'se marier avec' (to pair/match).

Il est fascinant d'observer comment les crudités sont devenues un marqueur social de santé et de distinction.

It is fascinating to observe how raw vegetables have become a social marker of health and distinction.

Noun clause with 'comment'.

L'art de dresser les crudités requiert un sens aigu de l'esthétique et des couleurs.

The art of plating raw vegetables requires a sharp sense of aesthetics and colors.

Verb 'dresser' (to plate/arrange).

On ne saurait occulter les vertus enzymatiques des crudités pour le métabolisme humain.

One cannot overlook the enzymatic virtues of raw vegetables for human metabolism.

Formal negation 'on ne saurait'.

Le chef propose une symphonie de crudités, jouant sur les contrastes de températures et de textures.

The chef offers a symphony of raw vegetables, playing on contrasts of temperatures and textures.

Metaphorical use of 'symphonie'.

L'apparente simplicité des crudités cache souvent une sélection rigoureuse des meilleurs spécimens maraîchers.

The apparent simplicity of raw vegetables often hides a rigorous selection of the best market-garden specimens.

Adjective 'maraîchers'.

Common Collocations

un plateau de crudités

une assiette de crudités

des crudités de saison

assaisonner les crudités

sandwich crudités

manger des crudités

préparer des crudités

sauce pour crudités

buffet de crudités

crudités variées

Common Phrases

En entrée, des crudités.

— As a starter, some raw vegetables.

Qu'est-ce qu'on mange ? En entrée, des crudités.

Faire le plein de crudités.

— To eat a lot of raw vegetables (for health).

En été, j'aime faire le plein de crudités.

Un petit bol de crudités.

— A small bowl of raw vegetables.

Elle grignote un petit bol de crudités devant la télé.

Râper les crudités.

— To grate the raw vegetables.

Je déteste râper les crudités, c'est long.

Crudités et trempette.

— Raw veggies and dip (often used in Quebec).

On a prévu des crudités et trempette pour l'apéro.

Une farandole de crudités.

— A wide and colorful variety of raw vegetables.

Le traiteur a servi une farandole de crudités.

Vinaigrette pour crudités.

— Dressing specifically for raw vegetables.

Ma vinaigrette pour crudités est secrète.

Des crudités croquantes.

— Crunchy raw vegetables.

Rien n'est meilleur que des crudités croquantes.

Le pôle crudités.

— The raw vegetable section (at a buffet).

Rendez-vous au pôle crudités !

Zéro crudités.

— No raw vegetables at all.

Dans ce restaurant, il y a zéro crudités au menu.

Often Confused With

crudités vs salade

Salade usually means leafy greens; crudités are other raw veggies.

crudités vs crudité

The singular refers to the quality of being raw, not the dish.

crudités vs antipasti

Antipasti are often cooked or marinated; crudités are purely raw.

Idioms & Expressions

"être une vraie crudité"

— To be very raw or green (metaphorically, though rare).

Il est encore une vraie crudité dans ce métier.

informal

"manger des crudités sur la tête de quelqu'un"

— Non-existent idiom, but used for humorous emphasis on liking them.

J'aime tellement ça que j'en mangerais des crudités sur la tête d'un chauve.

slang

"avoir le teint crudité"

— To have a fresh, healthy complexion like raw vegetables.

Depuis ses vacances, elle a le teint crudité.

poetic

"servir des crudités"

— Sometimes used to mean giving someone the bare, unvarnished truth.

Il m'a servi ses vérités comme des crudités, sans sauce.

metaphorical

"se prendre pour une crudité"

— To think one is very fresh/cool (pun on 'frais').

Il se prend pour une crudité celui-là !

informal

"la saison des crudités"

— Summer time.

C'est enfin la saison des crudités !

neutral

"finir en crudités"

— To end up as something minor or simple.

Son grand projet a fini en crudités.

informal

"croquer la vie comme une crudité"

— To live life with zest and freshness.

Elle croque la vie comme une crudité.

poetic

"sauce crudité"

— A specific white sauce found in France.

Je veux un supplément sauce crudité.

informal

"plateau crudités"

— Used to describe a boring or very basic person.

Sa personnalité ? Un vrai plateau crudités.

slang

Easily Confused

crudités vs cruauté

Similar sound.

Cruauté means cruelty; crudités are vegetables.

La cruauté de ce film m'a choqué.

crudités vs crue

Same root.

Crue means a flood or the feminine form of raw.

La crue de la Seine est impressionnante.

crudités vs croûte

Starts with 'cr'.

Croûte means crust (like on bread).

J'aime la croûte du pain.

crudités vs cuit

Opposite meaning.

Cuit means cooked.

Ce légume est trop cuit.

crudités vs crédit

Similar sound.

Crédit means credit/money.

J'ai besoin d'un crédit à la banque.

Sentence Patterns

J'aime [article] crudités.

J'aime les crudités.

Je mange [article] crudités avec [sauce].

Je mange des crudités avec de la mayonnaise.

C'est un plateau de crudités [adjective].

C'est un plateau de crudités coloré.

Il est [adjective] de manger des crudités.

Il est conseillé de manger des crudités.

La [noun] des crudités est [adjective].

La variété des crudités est impressionnante.

Rien ne surpasse le [noun] des crudités [adjective].

Rien ne surpasse le croquant des crudités printanières.

Voici des crudités.

Il n'y a pas de crudités.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely frequent in daily life and menus.

Common Mistakes

Je mange une crudité. → Je mange des crudités.
The word is almost always used in the plural.
Les crudités sont bons. → Les crudités sont bonnes.
Crudités is a feminine noun.
Pronouncing the 's'. → Silent 's'.
In French, final 's' is usually silent.
Using 'crudités' for cooked veggies. → Légumes cuits.
Crudités must be raw.
J'aime crudités. → J'aime les crudités.
You must use a definite article for general likes.

Tips

The French Starter

Always look for 'Assiette de crudités' on a bistro menu for a reliable, healthy starter.

Feminine Plural

Remember to agree adjectives: 'Les crudités sont délicieuses'.

Carottes Râpées

The most famous 'crudité' is 'carottes râpées'. Try them!

Silent S

Never pronounce the final 's' in 'crudités'.

Texture Matters

The best crudités are very fresh and crunchy. Don't prepare them too far in advance.

Ready-to-eat

In French supermarkets, look for the 'Traiteur' section for pre-made crudités.

L'Apéro

Crudités are a great, healthy alternative to chips during the French aperitif.

Raw Root

Remember the word 'cru' (raw) to help you remember 'crudités'.

Fiber Boost

Eating crudités at the start of a meal helps with digestion.

Sandwich Tip

When ordering a sandwich, 'avec crudités' adds freshness for a small extra cost.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'CRUDE' vegetables. They are in their 'crude', natural, raw state. 'CRU-di-tés'.

Visual Association

Imagine a bright, colorful rainbow of sliced carrots, peppers, and cucumbers on a white plate.

Word Web

carotte concombre tomate radis sauce entrée frais croquant

Challenge

Try to name five different vegetables you would put in a 'plateau de crudités' using only French words.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'cruditas', which means 'indigestion' or 'rawness'. In Old French, it referred to the state of something being uncooked.

Original meaning: The state of being raw or undigested.

Romance (Latin)

Cultural Context

None. It is a neutral, positive culinary term.

Similar to 'veggie sticks' or 'crudité platter' (which is borrowed from French).

Le plateau de crudités in 'Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain' Mentioned in many French cookbooks by Paul Bocuse Common in French bistro scenes in cinema

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a restaurant

L'assiette de crudités, s'il vous plaît.
Quelles sont les crudités du jour ?
C'est servi avec une sauce ?
Est-ce que c'est frais ?

At the market

Je voudrais des légumes pour faire des crudités.
Qu'est-ce que vous me conseillez pour des crudités ?
Ils sont bien croquants ?
Un kilo de carottes pour mes crudités.

Hosting a party

J'ai préparé un plateau de crudités.
Servez-vous des crudités !
Il y a une sauce au yaourt pour les crudités.
Qui veut encore des crudités ?

At the bakery

Un sandwich crudités, s'il vous plaît.
Sans mayonnaise dans mon sandwich crudités.
Il y a quoi dans le crudités ?
C'est un sandwich crudités-thon ?

Talking about health

Je mange beaucoup de crudités.
Les crudités sont bonnes pour la peau.
Il faut varier les crudités.
Les crudités, c'est plein de fibres.

Conversation Starters

"Est-ce que tu préfères les crudités ou les légumes cuits ?"

"Quelle est ta sauce préférée pour accompagner les crudités ?"

"Est-ce que tu penses que les crudités sont indispensables dans un sandwich ?"

"Quels légumes mets-tu habituellement dans ton plateau de crudités ?"

"Est-ce que tu trouves que les crudités au restaurant sont meilleures qu'à la maison ?"

Journal Prompts

Décrivez votre plateau de crudités idéal. Quels légumes et quelles sauces choisiriez-vous ?

Pourquoi pensez-vous que les crudités sont si populaires dans la cuisine française ?

Racontez un souvenir lié à un pique-nique où vous avez mangé des crudités.

Pensez-vous qu'il soit important de manger des crudités tous les jours ? Pourquoi ?

Si vous deviez inventer une nouvelle recette de crudités, que feriez-vous ?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Crudités are raw vegetables, usually sliced or grated, served as a starter or snack. In France, they are a staple of a healthy meal.

In a culinary context, yes. You almost always say 'des crudités' or 'les crudités'. The singular is very rare.

Yes, they are very healthy because they are raw and retain all their vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.

It's a baguette sandwich with raw vegetables like lettuce, tomato, and often egg and mayo. It's very popular for lunch.

No, 'crudités' is strictly for vegetables. For fruit, you would just say 'fruits frais'.

Common sauces include vinaigrette, mayonnaise, or yogurt-based dips with herbs like chives or dill.

Many do! It is a very common part of lunch or dinner, especially in summer.

A salad is usually leaf-based (lettuce), while crudités are sliced or grated vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, radishes).

It is pronounced 'cru-dee-tay'. The 's' is silent.

Always cold, as they are raw vegetables.