Food and Drink

• Hors d'œuvres are bite-sized appetizers served before the main meal.Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  Hors d'œuvre are appetizers served before the main meal. The literal translation of hors d'œuvre in French is "outside the [main] work." At a restaurant, menu items ordered individually are known as "à la carte," literally meaning "on the menu" in French. When serving food, a waiter might say, "bon appétit," which in French means "good appetite." Apple pie served with ice cream is ordered as apple pie "à la mode." The literal translation for a la mode is "in the style."
  
  

Conversation

• Americans have adopted French phrases for use in conversation, for example, "bon voyage." The literal translation is "good journey." "Bonjour" is a greeting which means "good day" in French. "Merci beaucoup" is used in the literal translation "thank you very much." The literal translation of "s'il vous plait" is "if you please." S'il vous plait is the "SVP" of the "RSVP" commonly printed on invitations, and the "R" is répondez, or respond.
  
  

Expressions

• "Déjà vu" means "already seen" in French.Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images
  
  "Crème de la crème" is used by Americans to mean "the best of the best." The literal translation is "cream of the cream." "Déjà vu" is used to describe a feeling or experience regarding a situation that has occurred once before. The literal translation is "already seen." "En route" is used in its literal translation, "on the way."
  
  

Relational

• Americans use French phrases regarding individuals and relationships, such as "vis-à-vis." It means "face to face" and also "in relation to."
  
  A femme fatale is a seductive and manipulative female villain. The literal translation is "deadly woman." "Vive la différence" is used in its literal translation, "[long] live the difference." It is a statement in support of the differences between people; originally between men and women. A person with savoir-faire is graceful, elegant and tactful. The literal translation is "know how to do."
  
  

Commerce

• "Eau de toilette" means "grooming water" in French.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Eau de toilette is a scented liquid much weaker than perfume. The literal translation is "toilet water" or "grooming water." Esprit, meaning "spirit of the body" in French, is a clothing brand and retailer with stores in the United States. The company was initially incorporated as Esprit de corps. The first organized auto race, or Grand Prix, took place in France in the late 1800s. In America, Grand Prix is also known as Formula One racing. The literal translation is "great prize."