French Conversation · Level 189
15 words
French word
office
Pronunciation
IPA/ofis/
Meaning
- masculine nounpantry
Example
La nourriture est dans l'office.
The food is in the pantry.
More examples
Le personnel range la vaisselle dans l'office après le service.
The staff puts the dishes away in the pantry after service.
Core concept
A kitchen-side staging space where plates, provisions, and equipment are organized before they reach the dining room.
Similar words
cuisine: A kitchen with cooking equipment and work surfaces for preparing food.
réserve: A storeroom or storage area for keeping food and drinks.
bureau: A room or building used for office work and organizing documents.
salle à manger: A room or space where people gather to eat meals.
Definition in French
Pièce ou espace proche de la cuisine destiné à stocker et préparer provisoirement les plats, la vaisselle et le matériel avant le service.
Word origin
French inherited office from Old French, which traces it to Latin officium, and the word's service-related meaning extended to this kitchen-adjacent room.
Usage tips
- The culinary meaning is clearer in a phrase such as office de cuisine, since office can also suggest an administrative office in other contexts.
Other meanings
- officenoun
Related words
- officielofficialadjective
- officiellementofficiallyadverb