entrée
Le plat principal était une délicieuse entrée de bœuf bourguignon.
The main course was a delicious beef bourguignon.
The main course of a meal, especially in a formal or multi-course setting.
Nous avons commencé par une soupe et terminé par une entrée de poisson grillé.
We started with soup and finished with a grilled fish main course.
In French cuisine, 'entrée' refers to the main dish, unlike in English where it can mean an appetizer.
An appetizer or starter in some English-speaking contexts, though this usage is less common in French.
L'entrée était une salade fraîche avec des noix et du fromage de chèvre.
The appetizer was a fresh salad with nuts and goat cheese.
This meaning is more common in English but can be understood in French with context.
Collocations
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Culinary Context
Remember that in French, 'entrée' refers to the main dish, not an appetizer.
Gold Rule
Translation Nuance
When translating to English, clarify whether 'entrée' means the main course or an appetizer based on context.
Word Origin
From Old French 'entrée', meaning 'entry' or 'entrance', derived from the verb 'entrer' (to enter). The culinary sense evolved to refer to the main dish of a meal.
Usage Notes
In French, 'entrée' always refers to the main course, whereas in English, it can sometimes mean an appetizer. Be mindful of this difference when translating.