113 Yummy Vegetables in French to Make Your Vocab More Tasty

Why learn how to say vegetables in French

French restaurants in the UAE will become a lot more fun No matter where you are in the UAE, there’s likely at least one French restaurant nearby - in Dubai Mall, Yas Island, City Centre Mirdif, or other culinary hubs. French food is considered some of the best in the world and, for some reason, French restaurants seem adamant about listing every menu item in French, regardless of the local language. Next time you visit a French restaurant, you’ll be able to decipher all the ingredients like a real pro. With over 100 veggie terms under your belt, you’ll be more than capable of understanding each dish, as well as requesting any modifications you may need from the server. Plus, being able to flawlessly read and pronounce a French menu can be a great way to impress a special someone. Next time you want to go on a date, you can suggest a great French restaurant and show off your lovely language skills - maybe after a lesson at Berlitz UAE!

You’ll be able to follow French recipes

What better way to learn how to cook French food than by learning directly from the locals? Once you’ve mastered all the veggies in this list, you’ll be able to cook some great new French recipes that you may or may not have heard of before - whether for dinner parties in your Dubai apartment or family meals in Abu Dhabi. Luckily, YouTube is full of fantastic (and free!) cooking videos from French chefs. Below is a video from 750g, a French cooking YouTube channel with hundreds of French - language cooking videos for you to practice your French (and cooking skills!).

French cooking shows will become a blast

If you’re a fan of shows like Master Chef or The Great British Bake Off, get ready for French cooking shows. Not only are they a ton of fun, but they are also great ways to learn French - especially if you’re taking French courses with Berlitz UAE. People on these shows tend to describe what they are doing as they are doing it, which will help you develop your listening skills tremendously. Here are some great shows to get you started: Chef’s Table: France Martin sur la route Top Chef France

List of vegetables in French

Now, let’s get into the potatoes of this article: how to say vegetables in French. But first, let’s discuss how to actually say “vegetables.” Perhaps a little bit surprisingly, vegetables is les légumes (leh lay - goom) in French. Yep, légumes means vegetables. What you’re thinking of is les légumineuses (leh lay - goo - me - noss). A little tricky, right? Let’s recap: Vegetables = les légumes Legumes = les légumineuses But that’s it! That’s really the trickiest part about learning vegetables for English speakers. With enough practice - including vocabulary drills in your Berlitz UAE French class - you’ll train your brain to no longer associate légumes with légumineuses. Trust us! Now it’s time for our comprehensive list of vegetables in French. We’ve broken them down into different types of vegetables (including legumes!) to make it easier to digest. We’ve included over 100 different veggies, which may seem a lot, but we just couldn’t narrow it down! Vegetables come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, so learning all these vegetables will drastically improve your vocabulary - useful whether you’re reading menus in Abu Dhabi, shopping in a Marché, or traveling abroad.

Root vegetables in French

Root vegetables are incredibly popular in French cooking. French stews tend to be very thick, and they’re usually made with lots of carrots and celery. So if you want to learn all the légumes du marché (the vegetables in the market), you’ll have to start with learning how to say carrot in French.

English	French	IPA Spelling	Pronunciation
Carrot	La carotte	la kaʁɔt	La kah-rot
Parsnip	Le panais	lə panɛ	Luh pah-neh
Turnip	Le navet	lə navɛ	Luh nah-veh
Beet	La betterave	la bɛtʁav	La bet-rav
Celeriac	Le céleri-rave	lə seləʁiʁav	Luh seh-leh-rie-rav
Daikon	Le daïkon	lə daikɔ̃	Luh dah-e-kon
Parsley root	La racine de persil	la ʁasin də pɛʁsi	La rah-seen duh pear-see
Radish	Le radis	lə ʁadi	Luh rah-dee
Salsify root	La racine de salsifis	la ʁasin də salsifi	La rah-seen duh sal-see-fee
Swede	Le rutabaga	lə ʁytabaɡa	Luh roo-tah-bah-ga
Horseradish	Le raifort	lə ʁɛfɔʁ	Luh reh-e-for
Yucca	Le yucca	lə juka	Luh yoo-kah
Fennel	Le fenouil	lə fənuj	Luh fuh-nu-e
Ginger	Le gingembre	lə ʒɛ̃ʒɑ̃bʁ	Luh zhuh-zhem-bruh
Jicama	Le pois patate	lə pwa patat	Luh poo-ah pah-tat
Water chestnut	La châtaigne d'eau	la ʃatɛɲ do	La sha-teh-nye d-oh

Tuber vegetables in French

Tubers are not to be confused with root vegetables. Although very similar, tubers are edible parts of a plant, whereas root vegetables are the edible plant itself. Potatoes, for example, are tubers and not root vegetables. And you know who loves a potato? The French! Indeed, potatoes are the favorite vegetable of French people. Who knew the land of the French fries (they’re actually from Belgium) would be full of potato enthusiasts?

English	French	IPA Spelling	Pronunciation
Potato	La pomme de terre	la pɔm də tɛʁ	La pom duh ter
Sweet Potato	La patate douce	la patat dus	La pah-tat doos
Yam	L’igname	liɲam	Lah-nyam
Cassava	Le manioc	lə manjɔk	Luh mah-knee-ok
Jerusalem artichoke	Le topinambour	lə tɔpinɑ̃buʁ	Luh toh-pee-nam-boor
Taro	Le taro	lə taʁo	Luh tah-ro

Bulb vegetables in French

What better way to start a dish than by sautéing some onion and garlic? Bulb vegetables are essential parts to every meal, as little veggies like chives and scallions can really help give your dish a spicy kick that’ll bring out all the other flavors. Stems and shoots in French Sometimes, we avoid eating the stems off of leafy greens. Other times, the stems are the main attraction. Veggies like asparagus, celery, and hearts of palm can be the star of the show in many dishes, whereas others like rhubarb and lemongrass can be a more subtle complement to complex flavors.

English	French	IPA Spelling	Pronunciation
Onion	L’oignon	lɔɲɔ̃	Loh-nyon
Red onion	L’oignon rouge	lɔɲɔ̃ ʁuʒ	Loh-nyon rouge
Garlic	L’ail	laj	Lay
Shallot	L'échalote	leʃalɔt	Leh-sha-lot
Chives	La ciboulette	la sibulɛt	La see-boo-let
Scallions	L’oignon vert	lɔɲɔ̃ vɛʁ	Loh-nyon ver
Fennel bulb	La tête de fenouil	la tɛt də fənuj	La tet duh fuh-nu-e
Leek	Le poireau	lə pwaʁo	Luh pua-roh

Flower vegetables in French

Flower vegetables are the gift that keeps on giving. Just ask cauliflower, who has had a very busy couple of years. From being rice, to pizza crust, to even pasta, cauliflower has mastered the art of shape - shifting. Simply by learning how to say cauliflower in French, you’ll be able to expertly navigate any vegan restaurant menu in France.

English	French	IPA Spelling	Pronunciation
Asparagus	L’asperge	laspɛʁʒ	Las-persh
White asparagus	L’asperge blanche	laspɛʁʒə blɑ̃ʃ	Las-persh blansh
Celery	Le céleri	lə seləʁi	Luh seh-leh-rie
Heart of palm	Le cœur de palmier	lə kœʁ də palmje	Le korr duh pal-me-eh
Bamboo shoots	Les pousses de bambous	le pus də bɑ̃bu	Leh poos duh bam-boo
Kohlrabi	Le chou-rave	lə ʃuʁav	Luh shoo-rav
Rhubarb	La rhubarbe	la ʁybaʁb	La roo-barb
Lemongrass	La citronnelle	la sitʁɔnɛl	La see-tro-nelle

Fungi and mushrooms in French

Mushroom culture in France is unlike anywhere else in the world. Just like Americans like to go fishing, the French like to go picking mushrooms. Mushroom foraging is something that many children and adults enjoy doing in their spare time. If you enjoy mushrooms and want to learn more, there’s even a mushroom museum in western France. And if you’d like something even more hands - on, you can visit Espace Rambouillet, a popular park for mushroom foraging near the outskirts of Paris.

English	French	IPA Spelling	Pronunciation
Button mushroom	Le champignon de Paris	lə ʃɑ̃piɲɔ̃ də paʁi	Luh sham-pee-nyo duh pah-ree
Enoki mushroom	Le champignon enoki	lə ʃɑ̃piɲɔ̃ ənɔki	Luh sham-pee-nyo eh-no-key
Oyster mushroom	Le pleurote	lə plœʁɔt	Luh pluh-roh
Porcini mushroom	Les cèpes	le sɛp	Leh sep
Black trumpet mushroom	La trompette de la mort	la tʁɔ̃pɛt də la mɔʁ	La trom-pet duh la mor
Portobello mushroom	Le champignon portobello	lə ʃɑ̃piɲɔ̃ pɔʁtɔbelo	Luh sham-pee-nyo por-toh-beh-lo
Shiitake mushroom	Le champignon shiitake	lə ʃɑ̃piɲɔ̃ ʃiitak	Luh sham-pee-nyo she-tah-kay
Blue foot mushroom	Le pied bleu	lə pje blø	Luh pee-eh bluh
Girolle mushroom	La girolle	la ʒiʁɔl	La zhee-rol
Hedgehog mushroom	Le pied de mouton	lə pje də mutɔ̃	Luh pee-eh duh moo-toh
Red pine mushroom	Le lacta

Leaves in French

This section will be interesting for any English speaker. The French word for lettuce is something you’re already familiar with: la salade. So, then, how do you say salad in French, you may ask? Also la salade. Simple, right? If you want to be very specific, there is another word for lettuce that you can use: la laitue (la leh - too). However, la salade is much more common in everyday conversation.

English	French	IPA Spelling	Pronunciation
Lettuce	La salade	la salad	La sa-lad
Iceberg lettuce	La salade iceberg	la salad‿ ajsbɛʁɡ	La sa-lad ice-berg
Romaine lettuce	La salade romaine	la salad ʁɔmɛn	La sa-lad roh-men
Lamb’s lettuce	La mâche	la maʃ	La mash
Kale	Le chou frisé	lə ʃu fʁize	Luh shoo free-say
Cabbage	Le chou	lə ʃu	Luh shoo
Spinach	L’épinard	lepinaʁ	Lay-pee-nar
Arugula	La roquette	la ʁɔkɛt	La roh-ket
Bok choy	Le bok choy	lə bɔk ʃɔj	Luh bok-choy
Brussels sprouts	Les choux de Bruxelles	le ʃu də bʁysɛl	Les shoo duh broo-sel
Radicchio	Le radicchio	lə ʁadikʃjo	Luh rah-dee-key-oh
Chard	Les bettes	le bɛt	Leh bet
Watercress	Le cresson	lə kʁesɔ̃	Luh cray-soh
Collard greens	Le chou vert	lə ʃu vɛʁ	Luh shoo ver
Dandelion	Le pissenlit	lə pisɑ̃li	Le pee-sah-lee
Endive	L’endive	lɑ̃div	Lah-deev
Mustard greens	Les feuilles de moutarde	le fœj də mutaʁd	Leh fuh-ee duh moo-tar

“Fruit” vegetables in French

We’re all guilty of grouping some of these fruits with vegetables. Even though they like to hang out with the veggies, these impostor vegetables were actually fruits all along. Regardless, they’ve earned a spot in our list of vegetables because we all deserve to be whoever we want to be.

English	French	IPA Spelling	Pronunciation
Tomato	La tomate	la tɔmat	La toh-mat
Tomatillo	La petite tomate	la pətit tɔmat	La puh-teet toh-mat
Cucumber	Le concombre	lə kɔ̃kɔ̃bʁ	Luh con-com-bruh
Eggplant	L’aubergine	lobɛʁʒin	Loh-ber-zheen
Plantain	Le plantain	lə plɑ̃tɛ̃	Luh plah-tah
Pumpkin	La citrouille	la sitʁuj	La see-troo-ee
Chili	Le chili	lə ʃili	Luh chee-lee
Bell pepper	Le poivron	lə pwavʁɔ̃	Luh pua-vroh
Cayenne pepper	Le poivre de Cayenne	lə pwavʁə də kajɛn	Luh pua-vruh duh kah-yen
Habanero	L’habanero	labanʁo	Lah-bah-neh-roh
Jalapeño	Le jalapeño	lə ʒalapəo	Luh ha-la-peh-nyo
Peperoncino	Le peperoncino	lə pəpʁɔ̃sino	Luh peh-peh-ron-chee-no
Okra	Le gombo	lə ɡɔ̃bo	Luh gom-boh
Spaghetti Squash	La courge spaghetti	la kuʁʒə spaɡɛti	La koorsh spa-geh-tee
Chayote	La chayotte	la ʃɛjɔt	La sha-yot
Bitter melon	La margose	la maʁɡoz	La mar-goss
Winter melon	La courge cireuse	la kuʁʒə siʁøz	La koorsh see-ruz
Jackfruit	Le jacquier	lə ʒakje	Le zha-key-eh
Vanilla	La vanille	la vanij	La vah-nee-yuh

Seeds (legumes) in French

As previously discussed, legumes are légumineuses and vegetables are légumes. Now say it out loud! Say it three times! The sooner you can drill this down, the sooner you will stop getting confused every time someone brings up vegetables and legumes in French. With enough practice, you’ll nail down the difference in no time!

English	French	IPA Spelling	Pronunciation
Beans	Les haricots	le aʁiko	Les ah-re-coh
Black beans	Les haricots noirs	le aʁiko nwaʁ	Les ah-re-coh nwar
Pinto beans	Les haricots pinto	le aʁiko pɛ̃to	Les ah-re-coh peen-toh
Kidney beans	Les haricots rouges	le aʁiko ʁuʒ	Les ah-re-coh roosh
Fava beans	Les fèves	le fɛv	Leh fev
Green beans	Les haricots verts	le aʁiko vɛʁ	Les ah-re-coh ver
Chickpea	Le pois chiche	lə pwa ʃiʃ	Luh pua sheesh
Edamame	L’edamame	lədamam	Lay-dah-mam
Peas	Les pois	le pwa	Leh pua
Snow peas	Les pois mangetout	le pwa mɑ̃ʒtu	Leh pua mansh-too
Snap peas	Les pois gourmands	le pwa ɡuʁmɑ̃	Leh pua goor-mah
Lentil	La lentille	la lɑ̃tij	La luh-tee-y
Peanut	Le cacahuète	lə kakaɥɛt	Luh kah-kah-uet
Soybean	La soja	la sɔʒa	La soh-yah
Corn	Le maïs	lə mais	Luh meh-is

Sea vegetables in French

If you’re a fan of sushi and Japanese cuisine as a whole, you’ll want to get acquainted with the sea veggies in French. Next time you find yourself in a French - speaking region, you’ll be able to get your sushi fix with ease once you know the sea vegetables.

English	French	IPA Spelling	Pronunciation
Nori	Le nori	lə nɔʁi	Luh noh-ree
Wakame	Le wakame	lə wakam	Luh wa-kam
Green laver	La lave verte	la lav vɛʁt	La lav ver
Sea lettuce	La laitue de mer	la lɛty də mɛʁ	La leh-too duh mer
Kelp	Le varech	lə vaʁɛk	Luh va-resh
Sea moss	La mousse de mer	la mus də mɛʁ	La moose duh mer

Tips for memorizing the vegetables in French

Frequent your local French restaurants in the UAE

As previously discussed, French restaurants - from cosy bistros in Dubai to stylish spots in Abu Dhabi - are notorious for keeping French on the menu. Try ordering soupe à l’oignon, ratatouille, or crème brûlée in French! This not only enriches your dining experience but also reinforces vocabulary you learn in your Berlitz UAE French classes.

Listen to French vegetable songs

One of the greatest things about the internet is that you can find basically anything you might need. If you’re the type of person who likes to learn languages by listening to music, then you’re in for a treat. Here’s a fun and catchy song about the vegetables that you can use to memorize some of the most common vegetables. It also talks about vegetables that come in different colors, so it will help you master the colors in French as well.

French idioms about vegetables

If you’ve been studying French online or in - person, you may have realized that the French love their idioms. Seemingly nonsensical phrases are scattered through everyday conversation, leaving those who don’t know the context wondering what the other person meant. Luckily, you can learn the meaning behind many new French idioms now that you know over a hundred veggies in French. A lot of these idioms also incorporate some French slang, so if you’re unfamiliar, you might want to go check out our blog post before you proceed. Here are some of our favorite French idioms involving vegetables.

French Idiom	IPA Spelling	Pronunciation	English meaning
Les carottes sont cuites	le kaʁɔt sɔ̃ kɥit	Lay kah-rot soh koo-eet	Your fate is sealed
C’est la fin des haricots	sɛ la fɛ̃ de aʁiko	Say la fah des ah-re-koh	Game over
Occupe-toi de tes oignons	ɔkyptwa də tez‿ ɔɲɔ̃	Oh-coupe-too-ah duh tes oh-nyoh	Mind your own business
Raconter des salades	ʁakɔ̃te de salad	Rah-koh-teh deh sah-lad	To make up stories
Carroter	kaʁɔte	Kah-ro-teh	To swindle
Mettre du beurre dans les épinards	mɛtʁə dy bœʁ dɑ̃ lez‿ epinaʁ	Meh-truh doo burr dah les ay-pee-nar	To increase your income
Mon chou	mɔ̃ ʃu	Moh shoe	My dear
C’est un navet !	sɛt‿ ɛ̃ navɛ	Seht oon nah-veh	This is awful!
Se prendre le chou	sə pʁɑ̃dʁə lə ʃu	Suh pran-druh luh shoe	To argue with a friend
Poireauter	pwaʁote	Poo-ah-roh-teh	To wait for a long time
Être rouge comme une tomate	ɛtʁə ʁuʒ kɔm‿ yn tɔmat	Eh-truh roosh come oon toh-mat	To turn red like a tomato
Ne pas avoir un radis	nə pa avwaʁ‿ ɛ̃ ʁadi	Nuh pas ah-voo-ar ah rah-dee	To be completely broke
Faire quelque chose aux petits oignons	fɛʁ kɛlkə ʃoz‿ o pətiz‿ ɔɲɔ̃	Fehr kell-kuh shoss oh puh-teet oh-nyoh	To do something very carefully
Appuyer sur le champignon	apɥije syʁ lə ʃɑ̃piɲɔ̃	Ah-poo-eh-yeh sur luh sham-pee-nyoh	To step on the gas
Avoir un pois chiche dans la tête	avwaʁ‿ ɛ̃ pwa ʃiʃ dɑ̃ la tɛt	Ah-voo-ar ah poo-ah sheesh dah la tet	To have a pea brain
Se prendre une châtaigne	sə pʁɑ̃dʁ‿ yn ʃatɛɲ	Suh pran-druh oon sha-teh-nye	To be punched
Avoir un cœur d’artichaut	avwaʁ‿ ɛ̃ kœʁ daʁtiʃo	Ah-voo-ar ah korr dar-tee-shoh	Someone who falls in love easily
Avoir la patate	avwaʁ la patat	Ah-voo-ar la pah-tat	To feel great

Don’t forget to learn your veggies!

We know that learning over a hundred new words is no small potatoes - but the fact that you made it to the end of this article shows that you are committed and will soon master saying all these vegetable - related words in French! For structured practice, Berlitz UAE can help - whether you learn at the Berlitz Berlitz Jumeirah Centre or the Berlitz JLT Centre in Dubai. Thanks for reading and à bientôt !