French Phrase
Le repas est déjà prêt ?
Meaning
Literally “Is the meal already ready?”. The speaker is checking whether the cooking is finished, often because they are hungry or need to coordinate the next part of a gathering.
When to use
Use this question at home when you’re waiting for dinner, in a restaurant when you want to know if the kitchen has finished, or in a communal setting (e.g., a family potluck) to confirm that the food can be served.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Lerepasestdéjàprêt?
Le (definite article)
Used before masculine singular nouns to specify a particular item.
repas (noun)
A masculine noun meaning “meal”.
est (être)
Third‑person singular present of the verb “to be”.
déjà (adverb)
Means “already”; placed before the adjective it modifies.
prêt (adjective)
Means “ready”. It must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes (masc. sing. → prêt).
Inversion for questions
In spoken French the intonation can turn a statement into a question, but written French often uses inversion or “est‑ce que”. Here the rising‑tone question is acceptable.
🗨In Conversation
Le repas est déjà prêt ?
Is the meal already ready?
Oui, il ne reste plus que les desserts.
Yes, only the desserts are left.
✕Common Mistakes
Le repas déjà est prêt ?
‘déjà’ must precede the adjective, not the verb.
Le repas est déjà prête ?
‘prêt’ must agree with the masculine noun ‘repas’; using the feminine form is incorrect.
Le repas est déjà prêt.
A question needs a question mark or inversion; a period makes it a statement.
↔Alternatives
Le dîner est‑il déjà prêt ?
Is dinner already ready?
Le repas est‑il prêt ?
Is the meal ready?
On a déjà fini de cuisiner ?
Have we already finished cooking?
Cultural Tip
In French culture, meals are often a social event with a set schedule. Asking if the food is ready shows politeness and respect for the host’s timing. In formal settings, you might use the more polite “Est‑ce que le repas est prêt ?” rather than the informal rising‑tone question.