French Phrase
Pas de coriandre, s'il te plaît.
Meaning
This phrase is a direct and polite way to request that cilantro (coriander) not be included in something. It literally translates to "No of cilantro, if it pleases you." It's commonly used to express a dietary preference or an aversion to the herb.
When to use
Use this phrase when ordering food at a restaurant, asking a friend or host to omit cilantro from a dish they are preparing, or when specifying ingredients for a recipe. It's suitable in informal to semi-formal settings due to the use of "s'il te plaît."
✦Grammar Breakdown
Pasdecoriandre,s'ilteplaît.
Pas de...
This is a common way to express 'no X' or 'not any X' in French, especially when making a request or stating a lack of something. It's more direct than a full negative sentence like 'Il n'y a pas de...'
Coriandre
This is the French word for 'cilantro' or 'coriander'. It's a feminine noun, but in the 'pas de' construction, the 'de' remains unchanged regardless of gender or number.
S'il te plaît
Meaning 'if it pleases you', this is the informal way to say 'please'. Use 's'il vous plaît' for formal situations or when addressing multiple people. It's essential for politeness in French requests.
🗨In Conversation
Je vais prendre le plat du jour, s'il vous plaît.
I'll take the dish of the day, please.
D'accord. Pas de coriandre, s'il te plaît?
Okay. No cilantro, please?
✕Common Mistakes
Je ne veux pas de la coriandre.
While grammatically correct for 'I don't want cilantro', 'Pas de coriandre' is more idiomatic and concise for a direct request to omit it.
Pas de coriandre, s'il vous plaît.
Using 's'il vous plaît' (formal 'you') when speaking to a friend or someone you'd address informally. Ensure you match the politeness level with 'tu' or 'vous'.
Non coriandre, s'il te plaît.
'Non' is a standalone 'no'. To negate a noun, you typically use 'pas de' or 'ne...pas de'.
↔Alternatives
Sans coriandre, s'il vous plaît.
Without cilantro, please.
Je n'aime pas la coriandre.
I don't like cilantro.
Pas de coriandre pour moi.
No cilantro for me.
Cultural Tip
In France, cilantro (coriandre) is not as ubiquitous as in some other cuisines, but it is gaining popularity. While French dining etiquette values politeness, direct requests like this are perfectly acceptable, especially when related to dietary preferences. Using 's'il te plaît' (informal) or 's'il vous plaît' (formal) is crucial for maintaining politeness. Be aware that some French people have a strong aversion to cilantro, often describing it as tasting like soap, so your request might be met with understanding.