French Phrase
Prépare les légumes à l'avance.
Meaning
A direct command telling someone to get the vegetables ready before they are needed, typically for cooking or meal‑prepping. It implies planning ahead to save time later.
When to use
Use this phrase in the kitchen when you’re organizing a meal, giving cooking instructions, or discussing meal‑prep routines with friends or family.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Prépareleslégumesàl'avance
Imperative (tu) of préparer
For -er verbs, the tu‑imperative keeps the final -s (Prépare !). This -s is dropped only when the verb is followed by *en* or *y*.
Definite article *les*
*Les* is the plural definite article used before masculine or feminine nouns in the plural.
*légumes* (masc. pl.)
A regular masculine plural noun meaning “vegetables”.
Adverbial phrase *à l'avance*
*À l'avance* means “in advance, beforehand”. It is an adverbial complement of time.
🗨In Conversation
On va cuisiner ce soir, on a besoin des légumes.
We’re cooking tonight, we need the vegetables.
Pas de problème, je les prépare à l'avance.
No problem, I’ll prepare them in advance.
✕Common Mistakes
Préparer les légumes à l'avance.
The infinitive *préparer* is not a command; you need the imperative *Prépare* for a direct instruction.
Prépare les légumes en avance.
The correct adverbial phrase is *à l'avance*; *en avance* is not idiomatic in this context.
↔Alternatives
Prépare les légumes avant.
Prepare the vegetables beforehand.
Mets les légumes de côté à l'avance.
Set the vegetables aside in advance.
Prépare les légumes à l'avance pour gagner du temps.
Prepare the vegetables in advance to save time.
Cultural Tip
In French cuisine the concept of *mise en place* (everything in its place) is essential. Saying *à l'avance* sounds a bit formal; in everyday speech many French speakers simply say *avant* or *d'avance*. Using the imperative shows confidence in the kitchen and is common among family members or close friends.