French Conversation · Level 17
90 words
French word
cuire
Pronunciation
IPA/kɥiʁ/
Meaning
- verbcook
Example
Il faut cuire la viande avant de la servir.
The meat needs to be cooked before it is served.
More examples
On peut cuire les légumes à la vapeur pour préserver les vitamines.
You can steam the vegetables to preserve the vitamins.
Core concept
Food changing through heat until it reaches the desired texture and doneness.
Common phrases
cuire au four
bake in the oven
cuire à la vapeur
steam-cook
cuire à feu doux
cook over low heat
Similar words
faire cuire: Heat food to cook it into a dish.
griller: Cook food over a grill or grate with intense heat until browned.
bouillir: Cook food in boiling water until it is done.
frire: Cook food in hot oil until its outside is golden and crisp.
Definition in French
Faire passer un aliment par un procédé thermique jusqu'à obtenir l'état désiré (cuit, tendre, etc.).
Word origin
French cuire comes from Latin coquere, 'to cook', through the past participle coctus and Old French forms related to cuit.
Usage tips
- Cuire commonly takes a direct object, as in cuire la viande, while être cuit describes food that is cooked.