French Phrase
Cette recette est à base de plantes ?
Meaning
The speaker is asking whether the dish they are looking at or talking about is made primarily from plants – i.e., if it is plant‑based or vegan. It’s a common question when checking dietary suitability.
When to use
Use this sentence when you’re reviewing a menu, a cookbook, or a friend’s cooking and need to confirm if the recipe contains only plant ingredients. It’s especially handy in vegan, vegetarian, or health‑focused conversations.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Cetterecetteestàbasedeplantes?
Cette (demonstrative adjective)
Used to point out a specific feminine singular noun; agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies.
recette (noun)
A feminine singular noun meaning “recipe.”
est (être, 3rd person singular)
The present tense of the verb “to be,” used here to link the subject with its description.
à base de (prepositional phrase)
Literally “at base of,” idiomatically means “based on” or “made with.” It is followed by the ingredient or category.
plantes (plural noun)
Plural of “plante,” meaning “plants.” No article is used after “de” because it introduces a general category.
🗨In Conversation
Cette recette est à base de plantes ?
Is this recipe plant‑based?
Oui, elle ne contient que des légumes, des légumineuses et des épices.
Yes, it only contains vegetables, legumes, and spices.
✕Common Mistakes
Cette recette est à base des plantes ?
The article “des” makes it sound like you’re referring to specific plants, not the general category. Use “de” after “à base” for a generic ingredient list.
Cette recette à base de plantes est ?
The verb “être” must come before the prepositional phrase: “est à base de…”. Placing the phrase before the verb sounds unnatural.
Cette recettes est à base de plantes ?
“Recettes” is plural; the demonstrative must agree: “Cette recette”.
↔Alternatives
Cette recette est végétarienne ?
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Cette recette ne contient pas de produits d'origine animale ?
Does this recipe contain no animal products?
Ce plat est à base de plantes ?
Is this dish plant‑based?
Cultural Tip
In French‑speaking countries, the term “à base de plantes” sounds a bit formal and is often used in menus or product labels. In everyday speech, people more frequently say “végétalien” (vegan) or “végétarien” (vegetarian). Remember that “à base de” always takes the preposition “de” without an article before a generic category, unlike English “based on the plants.”