❓🍽️

How to Say ‘What are you having?’ in French

Qu'est-ce que vous prenez ?

kest-uh eh suh kuh voo pruh-NAY

[kest-uh eh suh kuh voo pruh-NAY]

💬 Usage Tip: Prendre "to take" is the normal verb for ordering food or drink. For example, je prends une bière "I'll have a beer".

Phrase Breakdown

Qu'est-ce que

kest-uh eh suh kuh

what

A common question opener pronounced 'kes-kuh'.

Example

Qu'est-ce que tu fais ?

What are you doing?

Words in this phrase

Qu'

[kest-uh]

what

Used to ask a question about something.

Example

Qu'est-ce que c'est ?

What is it?

est

[eh]

Third person singular present of be.

Example

C'est important.

It is important.

-ce

[suh]

question marker

In est-ce que, this element helps form a standard yes/no question in French.

Example

Est-ce qu'il y a un parking gratuit ?

Is there free parking?

que

[kuh]

that

Introduces the clause that follows after expressing a thought or opinion.

Example

Dans Je pense que, que relie l'opinion à l'idée suivante.

In "Je pense que," "que" links the opinion to the next idea.

vous prenez ?

voo pruh-NAY

are you having?

'Prendre' means 'to have' when ordering food or drinks. It sounds like 'voo pruh-nay'.

Example

Je prends un thé.

I'll have a tea.

Words in this phrase

vous

[voo]

you

Used to refer to the person or people being addressed.

Example

Vous aimez le film?

Do you like the movie?

prenez

[pruh-NAY]

take

Polite/plural command form of 'prendre'; in directions, 'take' a street.

Example

Prenez le bus numéro trois.

Take bus number three.

Guides for French learners

Ordering in French: Cafés, Bakeries and Restaurants (with Menu Vocabulary)How to order in French at a café, a bakery and a restaurant: the phrases, the questions staff ask, and the menu and food vocabulary to understand the answers.Hello in French: Greetings, Good Evening and How to Answer "How Are You?"How to say hello in French, when to switch to good evening, how to ask how are you and what to answer, with tu vs vous and native audio.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Moved to Lyon for a culinary apprenticeship. The food and restaurant lessons were exactly what I needed — my French colleagues were genuinely impressed.”

Tom H., 38, Chef

“Studying in Paris and the academic French I learned in school was useless for daily life. This app filled the gap in weeks, not months.”

Nina W., 29, Graduate Student

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer