This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
French
Vocabulary
nourriture

A1 noun #1,000 most common 11 min read

nourriture

Top 1,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips nourriture in 30 Seconds

Explanation nourriture in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'nourriture' is one of the first nouns you learn when discussing daily life. You use it to express basic needs and preferences. You should focus on its gender (feminine: la nourriture) and how to use it with simple verbs like 'aimer' (to like), 'acheter' (to buy), and 'manger' (to eat). At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex metaphors. Just remember that when you want to say 'food' in a general sense, like 'I like food,' you say 'J'aime la nourriture.' If you want to say 'I am buying food,' you use the partitive: 'J'achète de la nourriture.' It is a fundamental building block for describing your environment and your routine. You will see it on signs in grocery stores and hear it in basic conversations about what to eat for dinner. Practice pairing it with simple adjectives like 'bonne' (good) or 'mauvaise' (bad). Understanding that 'nourriture' is feminine is crucial because it sets the pattern for many other feminine nouns ending in '-ure'.

At the A2 level, you begin to expand your use of 'nourriture' by adding more descriptive adjectives and using it in more varied sentence structures. You might talk about 'la nourriture saine' (healthy food) or 'la nourriture rapide' (fast food). You will also start to use it in the context of shopping and quantities, using expressions like 'beaucoup de nourriture' (a lot of food) or 'un peu de nourriture' (a little food). You should be able to talk about the food of different countries, such as 'la nourriture italienne' or 'la nourriture chinoise'. At this level, you are also expected to understand the difference between 'nourriture' and 'repas' (meal) in context. You might describe a trip to the market where you bought 'de la nourriture fraîche' (fresh food). You are also learning to use the word in the past tense, such as 'J'ai acheté de la nourriture hier.' The focus is on practical, everyday communication and expanding your vocabulary to describe the quality and type of food you encounter.

At the B1 level, you move beyond simple descriptions and start to use 'nourriture' in discussions about health, lifestyle, and social issues. You might participate in a conversation about 'le gaspillage de la nourriture' (food waste) or 'la qualité de la nourriture' in school cafeterias. You should be comfortable using 'nourriture' in complex sentences with relative pronouns, like 'La nourriture que je préfère est celle de ma grand-mère.' You will also encounter the word in more formal texts, such as articles about 'la sécurité alimentaire' (food security) or 'la nourriture biologique' (organic food). At this stage, you should also be aware of the informal synonym 'la bouffe' and know when it is appropriate to use it (with friends) versus when to stick to 'nourriture' (in professional or academic settings). You can also start using the word metaphorically, as in 'nourriture pour l'esprit' (food for thought/mind), although this is more common at higher levels. Your ability to discuss the pros and cons of different types of 'nourriture' is a key marker of B1 proficiency.

At the B2 level, you use 'nourriture' with a high degree of precision and can discuss abstract concepts related to it. You might analyze the cultural significance of 'la nourriture' in French society or debate the ethics of 'la nourriture industrielle' versus 'la nourriture artisanale'. You are expected to use a wide range of synonyms like 'alimentation', 'substances nutritives', or 'comestibles' depending on the context. You will encounter 'nourriture' in literature and sophisticated media, where it might be used to explore themes of heritage, class, or health. You should be able to follow a fast-paced discussion or a documentary about global food systems where 'nourriture' is used frequently. Your grammatical control should be excellent, including correct agreement in complex structures like 'Les différentes nourritures que nous avons goûtées lors de notre voyage étaient toutes exceptionnelles.' At B2, you understand the nuances of register and can switch between formal and informal terms for food effortlessly.

At the C1 level, 'nourriture' is used in highly nuanced and often metaphorical ways. You might explore the concept of 'nourritures terrestres' (earthly nourishments), a term made famous by André Gide, to discuss philosophical or hedonistic ideas. You can speak eloquently about the sociological aspects of 'la nourriture', such as how it defines social strata or national identity. In academic or professional writing, you use 'nourriture' within the framework of complex arguments about sustainability, biotechnology, or global economics. You are sensitive to the historical evolution of the word and its various connotations in different Francophone cultures. Your vocabulary is rich enough that you only use 'nourriture' when it is the most appropriate term, often opting for more specific words like 'victuailles', 'mets', or 'agapes' to convey precise shades of meaning. You can interpret subtle irony or cultural references involving food in contemporary French literature and cinema.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'nourriture' and its related semantic field is near-native. You can appreciate and use the word in all its registers, from the most technical scientific discourse to the most elevated poetic language. You might write a critique of a culinary essay, using 'nourriture' as a starting point to discuss the aesthetics of taste. You are fully aware of the word's role in idioms and proverbs, and you can use them naturally in conversation. You can navigate the most complex linguistic structures involving the word without hesitation. For a C2 learner, 'nourriture' is not just a word for what we eat; it is a versatile tool for expressing complex ideas about life, culture, and philosophy. You can discuss the etymological links between 'nourriture' and 'nourrisson' (infant) to explore themes of nurturing and growth. Your understanding of the word is deep, encompassing its literal, figurative, and cultural dimensions across the entire French-speaking world.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

nourriture in 30 Seconds

Nourriture is the standard French word for 'food', used in all contexts from daily life to science.
It is a feminine noun (la nourriture) and is usually uncountable, often appearing with partitive articles.
The word can also metaphorically refer to intellectual or spiritual stimulation ('nourriture de l'esprit').
It is distinct from 'repas' (the meal event) and 'cuisine' (the style of cooking or the room).

The French word nourriture is a feminine noun that translates most directly to the English word 'food.' However, its usage and connotations in French culture run much deeper than mere sustenance. At its most basic level, it refers to any substance that provides nutritional support for an organism, whether that be a human, an animal, or even metaphorically, a plant. In the French-speaking world, where gastronomy is often considered a high art form and a central pillar of social identity, the word nourriture carries a weight of quality and preparation. It is the general term you would use when discussing food as a concept, a commodity, or a biological necessity. For example, if you are talking about the global food supply, you would use la nourriture mondiale. If you are discussing the quality of what someone eats daily, you might refer to la nourriture saine (healthy food).

Biological Sustenance: In a scientific or biological context, nourriture refers to the nutrients required for growth and health. It is the fuel for the body.
Culinary Context: In everyday life, it describes the items one buys at the market or prepares in the kitchen to be consumed during meals.
Metaphorical Usage: It can also refer to intellectual or spiritual stimulation, often seen in the phrase nourriture de l'esprit (food for the mind).

Historically, the word derives from the Latin nutritura, which relates to nursing and nourishing. This etymological root emphasizes the act of caring and providing what is necessary for life to flourish. When you use this word in France, you are often touching upon a subject of great passion. Whether discussing the lack of food in a humanitarian context or the abundance of food at a wedding, nourriture is the foundational term. It is important to distinguish it from repas (meal), which refers to the occasion of eating, and cuisine, which refers to the style of cooking or the physical room.

Il est essentiel d'avoir une nourriture variée pour rester en bonne santé.

In this sentence, the word highlights the variety of what is consumed. You will hear this word in supermarkets, in schools during health class, and in news reports about agriculture. It is a versatile, essential noun that every learner must master early on.

Le chat réclame sa nourriture tous les matins à six heures.

Nous avons acheté beaucoup de nourriture pour la fête de ce soir.

La nourriture biologique est de plus en plus populaire en France.

Sans nourriture, l'homme ne peut pas survivre très longtemps.

Quantity: When referring to an unspecified amount, use 'de la nourriture'. For example: 'Je cherche de la nourriture.'
Specific Types: Commonly paired with adjectives like 'épicée' (spicy), 'sucrée' (sweet), or 'salée' (salty).

Using nourriture correctly requires an understanding of French noun-adjective agreement and the use of partitive articles. Since nourriture is feminine, any adjective modifying it must also be in its feminine form. For instance, 'good food' is la bonne nourriture, and 'cold food' is la nourriture froide. One of the most common ways to use the word is with the partitive article de la, which indicates 'some' food. If you say, 'Je mange de la nourriture,' you are saying 'I am eating (some) food.' This is a standard construction for uncountable nouns in French. However, if you are speaking about food as a general category, you use the definite article la. For example, 'La nourriture est chère' means 'Food is expensive.'

Subject of the Sentence: La nourriture française est célèbre dans le monde entier. (French food is famous worldwide.)
Direct Object: Nous donnons de la nourriture aux oiseaux en hiver. (We give food to the birds in winter.)
After Prepositions: Il y a beaucoup de vitamines dans cette nourriture. (There are many vitamins in this food.)

When describing the origin of food, you often use the preposition de. La nourriture de rue refers to street food, a concept that is becoming increasingly popular in French urban centers like Paris or Lyon. Similarly, la nourriture de qualité emphasizes the high standard of the ingredients. In more complex sentences, nourriture can be the head of a relative clause: 'La nourriture que nous avons mangée hier était excellente.' Note that the past participle mangée agrees with the feminine direct object nourriture that precedes the verb.

Elle prépare de la nourriture pour toute la famille.

Cette nourriture pour chien est recommandée par les vétérinaires.

Ils manquent de nourriture à cause de la sécheresse.

La nourriture industrielle contient souvent trop de sel.

Préfères-tu la nourriture italienne ou japonaise ?

Negation: In negative sentences, 'de la' becomes 'de'. Example: 'Je n'ai pas de nourriture.' (I don't have any food.)
Adjective Placement: Most adjectives like 'saine', 'grasse', or 'épicée' come after the noun 'nourriture'.

In the real world, you will encounter the word nourriture in a variety of everyday situations. If you are walking through a French city, you might see signs for nourriture pour animaux (pet food) outside a 'jardinerie' or a 'supermarché'. In a restaurant, while the menu will focus on specific 'plats' (dishes), a waiter might ask if the nourriture is to your liking, although they are more likely to ask 'Est-ce que tout se passe bien ?' (Is everything going well?). On French television, particularly on news channels like BFM TV or France 2, you will hear the word used in discussions about the economy, such as le prix de la nourriture (the price of food) or la sécurité alimentaire (food security).

At the Supermarket: You will see labels for different categories of food, though often specific terms like 'épicerie' or 'produits frais' are used instead of the general 'nourriture'.
In Schools: Children are taught about 'la pyramide de la nourriture' (the food pyramid) and the importance of 'une nourriture équilibrée'.
In Documentaries: Nature documentaries frequently use the word when describing how animals hunt or gather their 'nourriture'.

Social media and blogs are also full of this word. 'Foodies' in France might use more specialized terms, but nourriture remains the foundational word for any discussion about eating. If you are listening to a podcast about health, the host will likely discuss la nourriture transformée (processed food) and its effects on the body. In literature, the word can take on a more poetic tone. For example, Marcel Proust or Gustave Flaubert might use nourriture to describe the sustenance of the soul or the richness of a banquet.

Le reportage portait sur le gaspillage de la nourriture dans les grandes villes.

On trouve de la nourriture de rue délicieuse dans ce quartier.

La nourriture est un sujet de conversation inépuisable pour les Français.

Il faut toujours vérifier la date de péremption sur la nourriture.

Les associations distribuent de la nourriture aux plus démunis.

Radio/News: Used in reports about inflation: 'L'augmentation du coût de la nourriture'.
Travel Guides: Often used to describe local specialties: 'Découvrez la nourriture locale'.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using nourriture is assigning it the wrong gender. In French, nourriture is strictly feminine. Many learners mistakenly say 'le nourriture' or 'un nourriture' because 'food' in English is neuter. Always remember to use la, une, or cette. Another common error is using nourriture when repas (meal) would be more appropriate. For example, if you want to say 'The meal was delicious,' you should say 'Le repas était délicieux,' not 'La nourriture était délicieuse.' While the latter is grammatically correct, it sounds more like you are critiquing the substance of the food rather than the experience of the meal itself.

Gender Confusion: Incorrect: 'Le nourriture est bon.' Correct: 'La nourriture est bonne.'
Nourriture vs. Repas: 'Nourriture' is the substance; 'repas' is the event. Don't confuse the two when talking about dining out.
Overusing the Word: French has many specific words for food. Using 'nourriture' for everything can make your French sound repetitive or overly clinical.

Learners also often struggle with the partitive article. They might say 'Je mange la nourriture' when they mean 'I am eating some food.' Unless you are talking about 'the food' (specific food on the table or food as a concept), you should use 'de la nourriture'. Additionally, avoid confusing nourriture with alimentation. While they both translate to 'food' or 'diet,' alimentation is more formal and often refers to the act of feeding or the food industry. You wouldn't say 'J'aime cette alimentation' to mean 'I like this food'; you would say 'J'aime cette nourriture.'

Attention : on ne dit pas 'un bon nourriture', mais 'une bonne nourriture'.

Ne confondez pas 'la nourriture' avec 'le repas' que vous prenez à midi.

Il est incorrect de dire 'Je cherche le nourriture' dans le frigo.

L'adjectif doit s'accorder : la nourriture est excellente (et non excellent).

N'utilisez pas 'bouffe' dans un contexte professionnel, préférez 'nourriture'.

The 'De' Rule: After 'beaucoup', 'trop', or 'peu', use 'de' without the article: 'beaucoup de nourriture'.
Plural Usage: 'Les nourritures' is rare and usually refers to 'nourritures terrestres' (earthly pleasures) in literature.

While nourriture is the most common word for food, French offers a rich palette of synonyms and related terms that can make your speech more precise. Aliment is a common alternative, but it is more technical or scientific. It refers to a specific food item or ingredient. For example, 'Le lait est un aliment complet' (Milk is a complete food). In the plural, les aliments is often used when talking about the contents of a shopping basket or a recipe. Another word is alimentation, which refers to the diet or the general supply of food. You might talk about l'alimentation équilibrée (a balanced diet).

Nourriture vs. Aliment: 'Nourriture' is the general substance; 'aliment' is a specific nutritional unit or ingredient.
Nourriture vs. Bouffe: 'Bouffe' is very informal slang (like 'grub' or 'nosh'). Use it with friends, but never in a formal setting.
Nourriture vs. Cuisine: 'Cuisine' refers to the style of cooking or the room where food is prepared. 'J'aime la cuisine française' means you like the style of French cooking.

For more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter mets, which refers to a prepared dish, often of high quality. 'Un mets délicat' is a delicate dish. Victuailles is an old-fashioned word for provisions or supplies, often used humorously today to describe a large amount of food for a party. Nutrition is the scientific term for the process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth. If you are at a restaurant, you will talk about les plats (the dishes) on the menu. If you are talking about what you eat at a specific time, you use le repas (the meal).

On peut remplacer nourriture par 'alimentation' quand on parle de régime.

Le mot 'bouffe' est le synonyme familier de nourriture.

Dans un laboratoire, on utilise 'substances nutritives' plutôt que nourriture.

Un 'plat' est une portion spécifique de nourriture préparée.

Les 'provisions' sont de la nourriture stockée pour plus tard.

Mets: Formal word for a dish. 'Un mets raffiné'.
Boustifaille: Old slang for a hearty meal or food, often used in a jovial, rustic sense.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"L'accès à une nourriture de qualité est un enjeu mondial."

Neutral

"Nous avons acheté de la nourriture pour le dîner."

Informal

"C'est quoi cette nourriture ?"

Child friendly

"Mange ta nourriture pour devenir grand et fort !"

Slang

"La bouffe est grave bonne ici !"

Fun Fact

The word 'nourriture' once also meant 'education' or 'upbringing' in Old French, reflecting the idea that raising a child involves both physical and mental nourishment.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /nu.ʁi.tyʁ/

US /nu.ʁi.tyʁ/

The stress in French is usually on the last syllable of the word or phrase.

Rhymes With

culture nature aventure lecture écriture peinture voiture ceinture

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'u' like the 'oo' in 'boot'.
Making the 'r' sound like an English 'r'.
Forgetting the 'i' sound in the middle.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize due to its similarity to 'nourish'.

Writing 2/5

Need to remember the double 'r' and the feminine gender.

Speaking 2/5

The French 'u' and 'r' sounds can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 1/5

Commonly used and usually clear in speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

manger boire aimer le la

Learn Next

repas cuisine aliment délicieux sain

Advanced

gastronomie sustentation victuailles comestible nutritionniste

Grammar to Know

Partitive Articles

Use 'de la' with 'nourriture' because it is a feminine uncountable noun.

Adjective Agreement

'La nourriture est bonne' (feminine adjective for feminine noun).

Negation with 'de'

'Je n'ai pas de nourriture' (the article disappears after a negation).

Quantity with 'de'

'Beaucoup de nourriture' (no article after expressions of quantity).

Preposition 'pour'

'Nourriture pour chat' (indicates the purpose or recipient).

Examples by Level

J'aime la nourriture.

I like food.

Uses the definite article 'la' for a general preference.

Elle achète de la nourriture.

She is buying food.

Uses the partitive article 'de la' for an unspecified amount.

La nourriture est bonne.

The food is good.

Adjective 'bonne' agrees with the feminine noun 'nourriture'.

Où est la nourriture ?

Where is the food?

Simple question with the definite article.

C'est de la nourriture pour chat.

This is cat food.

'Pour' indicates the intended recipient.

Il y a de la nourriture sur la table.

There is food on the table.

'Il y a' followed by the partitive article.

Je n'ai pas de nourriture.

I don't have any food.

In negation, 'de la' becomes 'de'.

La nourriture est prête !

The food is ready!

Adjective 'prête' is feminine.

Nous mangeons de la nourriture saine.

We eat healthy food.

Adjective 'saine' follows the noun.

Il y a trop de nourriture ici.

There is too much food here.

'Trop de' is followed by the noun without an article.

J'aime la nourriture italienne.

I like Italian food.

Adjective of nationality is feminine and lowercase.

Tu dois acheter de la nourriture fraîche.

You must buy fresh food.

'Dois' is the verb 'devoir' (must).

La nourriture est moins chère au marché.

Food is less expensive at the market.

Comparative 'moins chère'.

Voulez-vous de la nourriture épicée ?

Do you want spicy food?

Inverted question for politeness.

Elle prépare la nourriture pour le pique-nique.

She is preparing the food for the picnic.

Definite article 'la' refers to specific food.

Cette nourriture est délicieuse.

This food is delicious.

Demonstrative adjective 'cette' is feminine.

Le gaspillage de la nourriture est un problème grave.

Food waste is a serious problem.

'Gaspillage' is a masculine noun.

Il est important de choisir une nourriture équilibrée.

It is important to choose a balanced diet/food.

'Une nourriture' used here to mean 'a type of diet'.

La nourriture biologique coûte plus cher.

Organic food costs more.

'Coûte plus cher' is an adverbial expression.

Ils distribuent de la nourriture aux sans-abri.

They distribute food to the homeless.

'Aux' is the contraction of 'à + les'.

Je préfère la nourriture faite maison.

I prefer homemade food.

'Faite maison' is a common compound adjective.

La nourriture de ce restaurant est réputée.

The food at this restaurant is well-known.

'Réputée' agrees with 'nourriture'.

On trouve de la nourriture de rue partout à Paris.

You can find street food everywhere in Paris.

'On' is the indefinite subject.

La nourriture industrielle contient beaucoup d'additifs.

Industrial food contains many additives.

'Contient' is the verb 'contenir'.

La nourriture influence directement notre santé mentale.

Food directly influences our mental health.

'Directement' is an adverb modifying the verb.

La qualité de la nourriture a baissé ces dernières années.

The quality of food has decreased in recent years.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

L'accès à la nourriture est un droit fondamental.

Access to food is a fundamental right.

'Fondamental' agrees with 'droit'.

Elle s'intéresse à la nourriture durable et locale.

She is interested in sustainable and local food.

'S'intéresser à' requires the preposition 'à'.

La nourriture est devenue un enjeu politique majeur.

Food has become a major political issue.

'Devenue' agrees with the feminine subject.

Nous devons repenser notre rapport à la nourriture.

We must rethink our relationship with food.

'Rapport à' means relationship with.

La nourriture transformée est souvent trop sucrée.

Processed food is often too sweet.

'Transformée' is a past participle used as an adjective.

Certaines nourritures sont sacrées dans certaines cultures.

Certain foods are sacred in certain cultures.

Plural 'nourritures' refers to different types of food.

La littérature est une nourriture pour l'esprit.

Literature is food for the mind.

Metaphorical use of 'nourriture'.

Il explore les nourritures terrestres dans son dernier roman.

He explores earthly nourishments in his latest novel.

Literary reference to André Gide.

La nourriture est le reflet de l'identité d'un peuple.

Food is the reflection of a people's identity.

'Reflet' is a masculine noun.

La quête de nourriture est le moteur de l'évolution.

The quest for food is the engine of evolution.

'Moteur' used metaphorically.

La nourriture ne doit pas être réduite à sa valeur calorique.

Food should not be reduced to its caloric value.

Passive voice 'être réduite'.

L'abondance de nourriture cache parfois une misère sociale.

The abundance of food sometimes hides social misery.

'Abondance' is a feminine noun.

La nourriture est un langage non-verbal puissant.

Food is a powerful non-verbal language.

'Puissant' agrees with 'langage'.

Il faut distinguer la nourriture du corps de celle de l'âme.

One must distinguish the food of the body from that of the soul.

Use of demonstrative pronoun 'celle'.

L'esthétique de la nourriture transcende la simple manducation.

The aesthetics of food transcends simple eating.

'Manducation' is a very formal term for eating.

La nourriture s'inscrit dans une sémiotique complexe du goût.

Food is part of a complex semiotics of taste.

'S'inscrire dans' means to be part of.

La sacralisation de la nourriture est un trait anthropologique.

The sacralization of food is an anthropological trait.

'Trait' is a masculine noun.

La nourriture est le substrat sur lequel s'édifie la civilisation.

Food is the substrate upon which civilization is built.

'Substrat' is a technical/philosophical term.

L'aliénation par la nourriture industrielle est un thème récurrent.

Alienation through industrial food is a recurring theme.

'Aliénation' is a philosophical concept.

La nourriture, dans sa dimension ontologique, définit l'être.

Food, in its ontological dimension, defines the being.

'Ontologique' relates to the nature of being.

La frugalité est une forme de sagesse face à la nourriture.

Frugality is a form of wisdom regarding food.

'Frugalité' is the quality of being simple.

Les nourritures spirituelles sont le rempart contre le vide.

Spiritual nourishments are the bulwark against the void.

'Rempart' means bulwark or shield.

Common Collocations

nourriture saine

nourriture pour animaux

nourriture de rue

nourriture biologique

nourriture industrielle

manque de nourriture

nourriture de l'esprit

nourriture faite maison

nourriture épicée

gaspillage de nourriture

Common Phrases

chercher de la nourriture

— To look for food, either in a store or a fridge.

Le renard cherche de la nourriture dans la forêt.

donner de la nourriture

— To provide food to someone or something.

Elle donne de la nourriture aux oiseaux.

préparer de la nourriture

— To cook or assemble food.

Je prépare de la nourriture pour le voyage.

manquer de nourriture

— To be short of food.

Le village manque de nourriture après la tempête.

acheter de la nourriture

— To purchase groceries.

Nous allons acheter de la nourriture pour la semaine.

vendre de la nourriture

— To sell food items.

Ce magasin vend de la nourriture de qualité.

partager de la nourriture

— To share a meal or food items.

C'est agréable de partager de la nourriture avec des amis.

trouver de la nourriture

— To locate food.

Les randonneurs ont trouvé de la nourriture dans le refuge.

stocker de la nourriture

— To store food for later use.

Il est prudent de stocker de la nourriture en cas d'urgence.

jeter de la nourriture

— To throw away food.

Il ne faut pas jeter de la nourriture encore consommable.

Often Confused With

nourriture vs repas

'Repas' is the meal (the event), while 'nourriture' is the food (the substance).

nourriture vs cuisine

'Cuisine' is the style of cooking or the room, not the food itself.

nourriture vs aliment

'Aliment' is more technical and refers to a specific item or ingredient.

Idioms & Expressions

"nourritures terrestres"

— Earthly pleasures or physical needs, as opposed to spiritual ones.

Il se complaît dans les nourritures terrestres.

literary

"être porté sur la nourriture"

— To be very fond of eating or to be a glutton.

Mon oncle a toujours été très porté sur la nourriture.

neutral

"nourriture de l'esprit"

— Intellectual stimulation or knowledge.

Ce documentaire est une véritable nourriture de l'esprit.

formal

"la bouffe"

— Informal term for food, often used to describe a meal.

La bouffe était excellente chez Pierre.

informal

"faire la bouffe"

— To cook (informal).

C'est mon tour de faire la bouffe ce soir.

informal

"nourrir son homme"

— To be a substantial or filling meal.

Ce ragoût nourrit bien son homme.

informal

"nourrir des espoirs"

— To harbor or cherish hopes (metaphorical use of the verb).

Elle nourrit l'espoir de devenir médecin.

neutral

"nourrir une rancune"

— To hold a grudge (metaphorical use of the verb).

Il nourrit une vieille rancune contre son voisin.

neutral

"trouver de la nourriture"

— To find sustenance (literal).

L'oiseau a du mal à trouver de la nourriture en hiver.

neutral

"nourriture de base"

— Staple food.

Le riz est la nourriture de base dans de nombreux pays.

neutral

Easily Confused

nourriture vs nourrir

It is the verb form.

'Nourriture' is the noun (food), 'nourrir' is the action (to feed).

Je nourris le chat avec de la nourriture.

nourriture vs alimentation

Both mean 'food' or 'diet'.

'Alimentation' is broader and more formal, often referring to the system or industry.

L'alimentation est un secteur clé de l'économie.

nourriture vs bouffe

Synonym.

'Bouffe' is slang; 'nourriture' is standard.

On va manger de la bonne bouffe.

nourriture vs repas

Related to eating.

'Repas' is the occasion (breakfast, lunch); 'nourriture' is what you eat.

Le repas était long, mais la nourriture était excellente.

nourriture vs plat

Related to food.

'Plat' is a specific prepared dish; 'nourriture' is the general term.

Ce plat est ma nourriture préférée.

Sentence Patterns

J'aime la [nourriture].

J'aime la nourriture.

Il y a de la [nourriture].

Il y a de la nourriture.

La [nourriture] est [adjective].

La nourriture est délicieuse.

J'achète de la [nourriture] [adjective].

J'achète de la nourriture saine.

C'est de la [nourriture] pour [noun].

C'est de la nourriture pour oiseaux.

Le [noun] de la [nourriture] est [adjective].

Le prix de la nourriture est élevé.

La [nourriture] que je [verb] est [adjective].

La nourriture que je prépare est simple.

La [nourriture] est une [noun] pour [noun].

La nourriture est une nécessité pour l'homme.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very high; one of the top 1000 words in French.

Common Mistakes

Le nourriture est bon. → La nourriture est bonne.
'Nourriture' is feminine, so the article and adjective must be feminine.
Je mange la nourriture. → Je mange de la nourriture.
Use the partitive article 'de la' to mean 'some food'.
Je nourriture mon chien. → Je nourris mon chien.
'Nourriture' is a noun, not a verb. Use the verb 'nourrir'.
C'était un bon nourriture. → C'était un bon repas.
When talking about the experience of eating, 'repas' is more appropriate than 'nourriture'.
Beaucoup de la nourriture. → Beaucoup de nourriture.
After expressions of quantity like 'beaucoup', the article is dropped.

Tips

Gender Check

Always pair 'nourriture' with feminine articles and adjectives. Think of other '-ure' words like 'nature' or 'culture' which are also feminine.

Specifics Matter

While 'nourriture' is great, try to use specific words like 'fruits', 'légumes', or 'viande' to sound more natural.

Partitive Power

Remember 'de la' when you aren't talking about all the food in the world, just some of it.

Food is Culture

In France, talking about 'la nourriture' is a social skill. Be prepared to discuss it at length!

The Double R

The double 'r' in 'nourriture' is pronounced just like a single French 'r'. Don't try to roll it or stress it too much.

Formal Writing

In academic papers, use 'alimentation' or 'ressources alimentaires' instead of 'nourriture' for a more professional tone.

Context Clues

If you hear 'bouffe', you are in an informal setting. If you hear 'nourriture', it's neutral.

Nourish Connection

Connect 'nourriture' to 'nourish' in your mind. They share the same root.

Not a Verb

Never use 'nourriture' as a verb. Use 'nourrir' (to feed).

Spiritual Food

Use 'nourriture de l'esprit' to impress your French friends when talking about a good book.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'nourish'. 'Nourriture' is the 'nourish-ure' (the thing that nourishes).

Visual Association

Imagine a large 'N' made of various fruits and vegetables.

Word Web

faim manger cuisine santé marché repas délicieux vitamines

Challenge

Try to name five different types of 'nourriture' in French (e.g., fruits, légumes, viande, pain, fromage).

Word Origin

Derived from the Old French 'norriture', which comes from the Latin 'nutritura'.

Original meaning: The act of nursing, bringing up, or nourishing.

Romance (Latin)

Cultural Context

Be aware that 'nourriture' can be a sensitive topic in contexts of poverty or eating disorders. Use 'alimentation' for more clinical or formal discussions.

English speakers often use 'food' as a generic term, whereas French speakers might use more specific terms like 'repas' or 'cuisine' depending on the social context.

'Les Nourritures terrestres' by André Gide (1897). 'La Grande Bouffe' (The Big Feast), a famous 1973 film. The Michelin Guide, which evaluates 'la nourriture' in restaurants.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the market

Je cherche de la nourriture fraîche.
Combien coûte cette nourriture ?
Est-ce de la nourriture locale ?
C'est de la bonne nourriture.

At home

Où est la nourriture ?
Je prépare de la nourriture.
Il n'y a plus de nourriture.
Range la nourriture dans le frigo.

Talking about health

La nourriture saine est importante.
Évitez la nourriture trop grasse.
J'aime la nourriture équilibrée.
La nourriture influence la santé.

Pet care

C'est de la nourriture pour chien.
Le chat a besoin de nourriture.
Où est le sac de nourriture ?
Il ne faut pas donner de nourriture humaine aux animaux.

Social issues

Le manque de nourriture est grave.
Il y a trop de gaspillage de nourriture.
Ils ont besoin de nourriture.
La nourriture est chère.

Conversation Starters

"Quelle est ta nourriture préférée ?"

"Est-ce que tu aimes la nourriture épicée ?"

"Où achètes-tu ta nourriture d'habitude ?"

"Est-ce que la nourriture est chère dans ton pays ?"

"Préfères-tu la nourriture faite maison ou le restaurant ?"

Journal Prompts

Décrivez la nourriture que vous avez mangée aujourd'hui.

Pourquoi la nourriture est-elle importante dans votre culture ?

Si vous ne pouviez manger qu'une seule nourriture pour le reste de votre vie, laquelle choisiriez-vous ?

Pensez-vous que la nourriture biologique est nécessaire ?

Racontez un souvenir lié à une nourriture particulière.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is feminine. You should always say 'la nourriture' or 'une nourriture'.

Yes, 'nourriture pour animaux' is the standard way to say pet food.

'Nourriture' is the standard word, while 'bouffe' is informal slang, similar to 'grub' in English.

You use the partitive article: 'de la nourriture'.

Rarely. It is mostly used in the singular. 'Les nourritures' is usually found in literary contexts like 'nourritures terrestres'.

Not exactly. 'Repas' is the word for meal. 'Nourriture' refers to the food items themselves.

Yes, it is extremely common and essential for everyday conversation.

Round your lips as if to say 'oo' but say 'ee' instead. It's a distinct French sound.

No, that is a mistake. It must be 'une nourriture' because the noun is feminine.

It means 'food for the mind' or intellectual stimulation, such as books or art.