French Phrase
On mange quoi ce soir ?
Meaning
A casual way to ask what will be eaten for dinner tonight. It’s typically used among friends, family, or roommates when deciding on the evening meal.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal settings—at home, with friends, or in a shared flat—when you want to know or suggest the menu for the upcoming dinner.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Onmangequoicesoir?
On (pronoun)
Informal subject pronoun meaning 'we' or 'one', used in everyday speech.
mange (present tense)
Third‑person singular present of the verb *manger*; with *on* the verb stays in the singular form.
quoi (question word)
Used after the verb to ask 'what?' in informal spoken French; it replaces *que* when placed post‑verbally.
ce soir (time expression)
Literally 'this evening'; *ce* is a demonstrative adjective that modifies *soir*.
No inversion
In spoken French the verb‑subject inversion (*Mange‑on…*) is avoided; the sentence keeps the normal word order.
🗨In Conversation
On mange quoi ce soir ?
What are we eating tonight?
Je pensais à des pâtes à la carbonara.
I was thinking of carbonara pasta.
✕Common Mistakes
Que mangeons‑nous ce soir ?
Correct but overly formal for everyday speech; native speakers prefer the informal structure with *on*.
Quel mange ce soir ?
*Quel* is an adjective and cannot replace *quoi* after the verb.
On mange quoi ce soir
Missing the question mark and intonation; in writing the punctuation signals the interrogative tone.
↔Alternatives
Qu'est‑ce qu'on mange ce soir ?
What are we eating tonight?
Qu'est‑ce qu'on va manger ce soir ?
What are we going to eat tonight?
Quel repas prévoyons‑nous ce soir ?
What meal are we planning for tonight?
Cultural Tip
In France dinner is usually served later than in many other countries, often around 8 pm. Asking "On mange quoi ce soir ?" is a friendly way to involve everyone in the decision, reflecting the French value of shared meals and conversation at the table. Keep the tone informal; in a formal setting you would use "Que va‑t‑on manger ce soir ?".