French · Food & Drink
"Potato" in French: pomme de terre
la pomme de terre
Potato in French is la pomme de terre, feminine. Des pommes de terre are potatoes. Purée de pommes de terre is mashed potatoes. Casual speech sometimes shortens to patate.
Shopping list
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How to pronounce pomme de terre
Say it
pum duh TEHR
/pɔm də tɛʁ/
Pomme de terre is pum duh TEHR. Pomme like French apple; terre like tehr with a French r.
"Potato" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| la pomme de terre | the potato Standard name. | Standard name. |
| des pommes de terre | potatoes Plural. | Plural. |
| purée de pommes de terre | mashed potatoes Side dish. | Side dish. |
| patate | potato (casual) Spoken shortcut. | Spoken shortcut. |
| frites | fries From pommes de terre frites. | From pommes de terre frites. |
How to use pomme de terre in real life
- 1Shopping list
Il nous faut des pommes de terre pour le gratin.
We need potatoes for the gratin.
Plural pommes de terre.
- 2Cooking
Épluche la pomme de terre avant de la couper.
Peel the potato before cutting it.
Full phrase.
- 3Comfort food
Une pomme de terre au four, et je suis content.
A baked potato and I'm happy.
Au four.
Mistakes English speakers make with pomme de terre
Incorrect: Une pomme (when you mean potato).
Correct: Une pomme de terre.
Pomme alone is apple; potato needs de terre.
Incorrect: Le pomme de terre est chaude.
Correct: La pomme de terre est chaude.
Feminine: la pomme de terre.
Good to know
Pomme de terre is literal apple of the earth. Patate is friendly slang; menus still write pommes de terre for clarity. Frites are the national sidekick.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Deciding a side dish
ChatPal
Riz ou pomme de terre ?
Rice or potato?
You
Pomme de terre. En purée, s'il te plaît.
Potato. Mashed, please.
ChatPal
Je m'en occupe.
I'll take care of it.
You
Tu gères.
You're on it.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Potato" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Potato" in French
What is potato in French?
La pomme de terre (feminine).
Is patate okay?
Yes in casual speech.
How do I say mashed potatoes?
Purée (de pommes de terre).
Why pomme?
It's the set name—pomme de terre, not related to dessert apples.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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