French Phrase
Le plat du jour, c'est les pâtes du chef.
Meaning
This phrase is used to announce or inquire about the daily special in a restaurant. "Le plat du jour" literally means "the dish of the day," referring to a specific meal prepared fresh for that day. The second part, "c'est les pâtes du chef," specifies what that dish is, in this case, pasta prepared by the chef.
When to use
You would typically use this phrase in a restaurant setting. A waiter might say it to inform customers about the daily special, or a customer might ask "Quel est le plat du jour?" and receive this as an answer. It's a common way to describe a featured meal that is often more affordable and made with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Le plat du jourc'estles pâtesdu chef
Le plat du jour
This literally means 'the dish of the day'. 'Plat' is masculine, hence 'le'. 'Du jour' means 'of the day' and is a common way to indicate something is a daily special.
C'est
This is a very versatile phrase meaning 'it is' or 'that is'. While 'pâtes' is plural, 'c'est' is often used to introduce or identify a noun, even plural ones, especially in spoken French, acting as a general identifier for 'the dish of the day'.
Les pâtes
'Pâtes' is a feminine plural noun for 'pasta'. It always takes the plural definite article 'les'.
Du chef
'Du' is a contraction of 'de le' (of the). So 'du chef' means 'of the chef' or 'the chef's'. It indicates possession or origin, specifying that the pasta is prepared by the chef.
🗨In Conversation
Bonjour, quel est le plat du jour?
Hello, what is the dish of the day?
Bonjour! Le plat du jour, c'est les pâtes du chef.
Hello! The dish of the day is the chef's pasta.
✕Common Mistakes
Le plat du jour, sont les pâtes du chef.
Even though 'pâtes' is plural, 'c'est' (contraction of 'ce est') is commonly used with plural nouns when identifying them, especially in informal speech or when referring to 'the dish of the day' as a singular concept.
La plat du jour, c'est les pâtes du chef.
'Plat' is a masculine noun, so it requires the masculine definite article 'le', not 'la'.
↔Alternatives
Le plat du jour est les pâtes du chef.
The dish of the day is the chef's pasta.
Aujourd'hui, nous avons les pâtes du chef comme plat du jour.
Today, we have the chef's pasta as the dish of the day.
Le spécial du jour, ce sont les pâtes du chef.
The special of the day, it's the chef's pasta.
Cultural Tip
The 'plat du jour' is a staple of French restaurant culture, especially in bistros and brasseries. It's often a good value option, reflecting seasonal ingredients and the chef's daily inspiration. Asking for or choosing the 'plat du jour' is a very authentic way to experience French cuisine and can sometimes lead to discovering local specialties not found on the regular menu. It's generally seen as a sign of freshness and good quality.