French word

commander

Pronunciation

IPA/komɑ̃de/

Meaning

  • verborder

Example

Je vais commander une pizza.

I'm going to order a pizza.

Illustration for commander (order)

More examples

Au restaurant, tu peux commander directement au serveur.

At the restaurant, you can order directly from the waiter.

Core concept

A request reaches a seller for a selected item, or reaches a person as an instruction to carry out.

Common phrases

  • commander au restaurant

    order at a restaurant

  • commander à emporter

    order for takeout

Similar words

demander: To make a spoken or written request for something or for a service.
prendre: To select a menu item or drink and ask to receive it.
réserver: To secure a time, seat, or service in advance by making a booking.
ordonner: To give someone a command or directive and require compliance.

Definition in French

Adresser une demande à un commerce ou un service pour qu'il fournisse ce que l'on a choisi.

Word origin

The verb derives from Latin commandare through Old French comander, whose meaning broadened from entrusting something to ordering or directing it.

Usage tips

  • Commander is pronounced with a final /e/ sound, like other French verbs ending in -er, not with an English-style r sound.

Other meanings

  • give ordersverb
  • directverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word