French for Everyday Conversations: Ask About Today's Special and Understand the Description
Learn to ask 'What is today's special?' in French and understand the response, focusing on daily menu offers in restaurants.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you eat out in a French-speaking country, the plat du jour (dish of the day) is often a good value and a chance to try something fresh. This lesson teaches you how to ask what the daily special is and how to understand the answer, so you can order with confidence. You'll learn key phrases, question patterns, and common responses. We'll focus on standard French used in France, but note regional variations where relevant.
By the end, you can…
- ask 'What is today's special?' in French.
- understand a simple description of the daily special.
- ask for clarification if I don't understand.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Quel est le plat du jour ?
What is today's special?
kel eh luh plah dyoo zhoor
Standard way to ask about the daily special in a restaurant. Use 'Quel est' (masculine) because 'plat' is masculine.
Qu'est-ce qu'il y a comme plat du jour ?
What is there as today's special?
kess keel ee ah kum plah dyoo zhoor
More conversational alternative, common in casual settings.
Le plat du jour, c'est quoi ?
The daily special is what?
luh plah dyoo zhoor, say kwah
Very informal, used among friends or in relaxed cafes. Literally 'The daily special, it's what?'
C'est du poulet rôti avec des légumes.
It's roast chicken with vegetables.
say dyoo poo-leh roh-tee ah-vek day lay-gyoom
Example response describing the special. 'Du' is used because 'poulet' is masculine and it's an indefinite quantity.
Je ne comprends pas. Pouvez-vous répéter ?
I don't understand. Can you repeat?
zhuh nuh kohm-prahn pah. poo-vay-voo ray-pay-tay
Polite way to ask for repetition. Use 'vous' form with strangers or staff.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask about the daily special, use 'Quel est le plat du jour ?' or 'Qu'est-ce qu'il y a comme plat du jour ?'. The response often starts with 'C'est' (It's) followed by the dish. For example: 'C'est du poisson avec du riz.' (It's fish with rice.) Note that 'du' is used for masculine nouns, 'de la' for feminine, and 'des' for plural. For instance, 'C'est de la soupe.' (It's soup.) 'C'est des pâtes.' (It's pasta.)
When to use it
Use these phrases when you're at a restaurant or cafe and want to know the daily special, which is often written on a chalkboard or mentioned by the server. It's common at lunchtime. If you're in a hurry, you can simply ask 'Le plat du jour ?' with a rising intonation. In more formal settings, use 'Quel est le plat du jour, s'il vous plaît ?' Adding 's'il vous plaît' is polite.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bonjour, quel est le plat du jour ?
Hello, what is today's special?bohn-zhoor, kel eh luh plah dyoo zhoorAujourd'hui, c'est du saumon grillé avec des légumes.
Today, it's grilled salmon with vegetables.oh-zhoor-dwee, say dyoo soh-mohn gree-yay ah-vek day lay-gyoomD'accord. Est-ce que c'est servi avec du riz ?
Okay. Is it served with rice?dah-kor. ess kuh say ser-vee ah-vek dyoo reeOui, et il y a aussi une salade verte.
Yes, and there's also a green salad.wee, ay eel ee ah oh-see ewn sah-lad vertA little context goes a long way
In France, the plat du jour is typically a fixed-price lunch option, often posted outside restaurants. It's usually available only at lunch, not dinner. In Quebec, you might hear 'le spécial du jour' more often. In Belgium, 'le plat du jour' is also common. Always use 'vous' with staff unless you're a regular and they invite 'tu'.
One thing to watch for
Asking 'Quel est le spécial du jour ?' in France.
Try this instead: In France, 'le spécial du jour' is less common; use 'le plat du jour'. However, in Quebec, 'le spécial du jour' is standard. So say 'Quel est le plat du jour ?' in France.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask 'What is today's special?' in a formal restaurant in France?
Show a sample answer
Quel est le plat du jour, s'il vous plaît ?
This is polite and standard. Adding 's'il vous plaît' makes it more formal. 'Qu'est-ce qu'il y a comme plat du jour ?' is also correct but slightly less formal.
2What does 'C'est du poulet rôti avec des légumes' mean?
Show a sample answer
It's roast chicken with vegetables.
'C'est' means 'It is', 'du poulet rôti' is 'roast chicken', 'avec des légumes' is 'with vegetables'. Note that 'du' and 'des' are partitive articles.
3If you don't understand the description, what polite phrase can you use?
Show a sample answer
Je ne comprends pas. Pouvez-vous répéter ?
This means 'I don't understand. Can you repeat?' Using 'vous' is polite. You could also say 'Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement ?' (Can you speak more slowly?)
To ask about the daily special in French, use 'Quel est le plat du jour ?' and listen for 'C'est...' in the response. Remember to use polite forms with staff, and don't hesitate to ask for repetition if needed.
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