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consommation

English translation: refreshments

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:consommation
English translation:refreshments
Entered by: Victoria Porter-Burns

16:06 Jun 17, 2008
French to English translations [Non-PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
French term or phrase: consommation
This is taken from a guide to studying abroad and is one of the items on a list of day-to-day items and example prices:

"Entrée de musée: €...
Journal: €...
Consommation dans un café: €..."

I don't want to put 'eating' or 'drinking at a cafe' as the cost of this would presumably vary greatly depending on what you ordered. Can anyone suggest anything more suitable here?

Many TIA,

Vicky
Victoria Porter-Burns
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:19
refreshments
Explanation:
Just about covers all bases (unless it's some other kind of 'consumption'...!)

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Note added at 1 hr (2008-06-17 17:07:06 GMT)
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Although I don't think it would be applicable in the current context, I just wanted to note here that in formal accounting, things like refreshments, meals out, etc. are often referred to as 'subsistence' when making expenses claims.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 18 hrs (2008-06-18 10:06:58 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I don't understand Emma's objection: I believe there is nothing inherently vague about 'refreshmenst', and I think it is in exactly the same register as the source term; slightly formal, in a way that you wouldn't say to your potes "I'm just off for a quick consommation in the nearest café"

The consensus here seems to be that 'consomamtion' should not be understood as being confined to purely beverages alone, and 'refreshments' is a neat and slightly more formal way of saying 'food-&-drink'

It's odd that Emma seems to think that 'refreshments' is too vague and all-encompassing, while Manu seems to think it is too narrow and only relates to drinks?!



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 18 hrs (2008-06-18 10:24:01 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Here's a quote from American-as-it comes Disney, seeming to confirm that even in the US, 'refreshments' can mean both food and drink:

Step out of the hub-bub, right off Central Plaza and Main Street, U.S.A., and watch the world go by as you enjoy the refreshments.
* Hearty beef hot dogs
* Mickey Mouse-shaped pretzels (with and without cheese)
* Hearty chili in a bread bowl
* Ice cold beverages
* Live Ragtime piano music!
Cuisine: American
Service Type: Quick Service
Price Range: $ ($10 per person or less) *
Meals Served: Snack
Location: Main Street, U.S.A.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/parks/dinin...
Selected response from:

Tony M
France
Local time: 16:19
Grading comment
WoW! Is this the most solutions ever suggested for a single term?? Many thanks to all who contributed, but 'refreshments' sounds the most natural UK English solution to me and can include food, drinks and/or both.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +6refreshments
Tony M
4 +2tab (or spendings)
Drmanu49
5expenditure, costs
Daniela Iuzic
4 +1drink in a café
Richard Nice
4 +1food or drink
matmcv (X)
5meals
saraja
4bill
bcsantos
3 +1Drink in a bar
Emma Paulay
3(light) refreshment
Irene McClure
3drink
Nicky Over
4 -1consumption
Katarina Peters
3expenses
helena barham
4 -3cafe nourishments
Speakering (X)


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
tab (or spendings)


Explanation:
IMO

Drmanu49
France
Local time: 16:19
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 84

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Ingeborg Gowans (X)
23 mins
  -> Thank you Ingeborg.
agree  Angeliki Papadopoulou
40 mins
  -> Thank you Angeliki.
neutral  Tony M: tab might be OK for US (but not really for UK), but 'spendings' certainly wouldn't be natural EN at all. / But that's EXACTLY what 'refreshments' means! / Not AFAIK: plenty of US examples too
45 mins
  -> Consommation might include, sandwiches, a meal, etc. I would not use refreshments for a meal. Maybe that is specifically UK?
neutral  Irene McClure: I'm with Tony - 'tab' is really informal and in UK EN at least would imply having credit in a bar I think - ie 'put it on the tab'
53 mins
  -> Well, wa agree for the US at least!
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24 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
(light) refreshment


Explanation:
I suppose it would depend if the cost is for an evening meal, a drink or a snack...isn't there any more info to help clarify - usually in guide books there is a price for say a set menu and glass of wine or the like.

eg this is taken from a site on visiting spain:

"Eating out - average restaurant bill per person 12 Euro

Drinks - glass of beer or wine in a bar 1-2 Euro "
http://www.businessmobile.com/spain-currency-costs



Irene McClure
Local time: 16:19
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Tony M: No need to add 'light', and personally, I feel it's a lot more natural in the plural
26 mins
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32 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
drink


Explanation:
I think that 'consommation' is usually a drink in a café, rather than food. Robert says 'boisson' or 'rafraîchissement', and defines 'rafraîchissement' as a 'boisson fraîche non alcoolisée'.



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 32 mins (2008-06-17 16:38:50 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

By Robert, I mean Le Petit Robert dictionary, by the way!

Nicky Over
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:19
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Tony M: again, as vicky says, better not to tie it down by being so specific
1 hr
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11 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): -1
consumption


Explanation:
:)

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 43 mins (2008-06-17 16:49:29 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Consumption of food and drinks is very much used, at least in North America.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 47 mins (2008-06-17 16:53:15 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Over 9,000,000 hits on Google:
consumption rising - UK food consumption - Brief ...Beef and veal consumption rising - UK food consumption - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included from Eurofood in Business provided free by Find Articles.
findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0DQA/is_2001_Jan_16/ai_74488555 - 38k - Cached - Similar pages

BUBL LINK: Food consumptionFood and Drink Federation (FDF): Web site of the UK Food and Drink Federation (FDF) offering ... Subjects: food consumption, united states economic data ...
bubl.ac.uk/link/f/foodconsumption.htm - 9k - Cached - Similar pages

[PDF] UK food consumption transformedFile Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
UK food consumption transformed. Quality of product and information are top priorities for consumers, say Chris. Gribben and Matthew Gitsham, outlining the ...
www.ashridge.org.uk/.../wFARATT/UK food consumption transfo...$file/UKFoodConsumptionTransformed.pdf - Similar pages


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2008-06-17 17:09:22 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

OK, here are some more hits of the many: (whether coffee, refreshment, or alcohol, it is called consumption, especially when it comes to billing...but it's your prerogative to dislike the word...)
Kilroy and ISIC Travelmax Campobasso, Italy, Food, Bar, Café, PubFood - Bar, Café, Pub. 10 % off first consumption. This discount is valid for:. ISIC Card Holders; ITIC Card Holders. Available at:. Gandalf Pub ...
travelmax.kilroytravels.no/sisp/index.htm?fx=discount&location.gid=L0032001295&country.code=IT... - 32k - Cached - Similar pages

Gridskipper: Retail Consumption: London's In-Store Eateries1 Oct 2007 ... This café and bar has an excellent location at the top of this flagship bookstore. ... Email Retail Consumption: London's In-Store Eateries ...
gridskipper.com/62681/retail-consumption-londons-in-store-eateries - 36k - Cached - Similar pages



Katarina Peters
Canada
Local time: 10:19
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in HungarianHungarian, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 28
Notes to answerer
Asker: But 'consumption in a cafe' makes no sense in English, UK English at least, which is why I don't want to use the literal translation here. Thanks for your contribution.

Asker: I agree - 'consumption' is very often used with food and drinks, but 'consumption in a café' makes no sense as it stands as an item on a list. You said yourself - consumption can refer to food or drinks for starters. This is my problem...


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Tony M: 'consumption' means 'the act of consuming', but we don't use it the same way in EN as in FR / Yr rfs 1-3 are different usage, #4 is translated NO site, and #5 is also different usage.
46 mins
  -> Ok, Tony and Victoria, you win, since you are living in the UK where this usage is considered nasty...(I'm learning every day!)//I got your point the first time even though I don't agree, but no need to convince me any further...
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
expenditure, costs


Explanation:
I think this is a good general term who includes all that means payements.

Daniela Iuzic
Local time: 17:19
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in RomanianRomanian

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Tony M: 'expenditure' sounds rather too formal for the apparent register of asker's context, and 'costs' isn't really the right meaning here.
24 mins
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
bill


Explanation:
Sum of drinks/refreshments 'consumed'. Picking up the tab - paying the bill.

bcsantos
Gibraltar
Local time: 16:19
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 12
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4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
drink in a café


Explanation:
I know this is all getting absurd, but this one has not come up yet although it seems the obvious one...

Example sentence(s):
  • "les consommations sont à renouveler toutes les heures", or words to that effect, ie if you are staying to watch the whole match, kindly buy more than one beer
Richard Nice
Germany
Local time: 16:19
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 10

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Emma Paulay: Exactly!//Cheers then!
9 hrs
  -> ouais, ça traîne mais on verra. Meanwhile, it's Tony's round, I think.
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): -3
cafe nourishments


Explanation:
i think this is good since includes food and drinks

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 hrs (2008-06-17 21:41:06 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Café de los Brujos » 2006 » May
... except for these three nourishments. …which brings me to Zivals… ... You are currently browsing the Café de los Brujos weblog archives for May, 2006. ...
www.bandonleon.com/cafe/?m=200605 - 28k - Cached - Similar pages
Chez Marche Cafe - LocalHarvest
The Chez Marche Cafe serves lunch Tuesday through Saturday (with a big brunch ... Other nourishments include fair trade OG coffee and tea, an excellent wine ...
www.localharvest.org/restaurants/M7002 - 16k -

Speakering (X)
Native speaker of: Native in MacedonianMacedonian, Native in Serbo-CroatSerbo-Croat

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Tony M: But sadly, doesn't really come over as idiomatic, natural English / Yr 1st ref. uses 'nourishments' in a different way
6 mins
disagree  cmwilliams (X): agree with Tony that this does not sound natural in English
1 hr
disagree  Nicky Over: Like Tony, I don't think this is really natural in English.
18 hrs
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13 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
food or drink


Language variant: food and/or drink

Explanation:
Sorry to add to this horrendous list of options but I just had to have a crack myself! :D

This option:

* has the right register as far as I can see - I don't think "refreshment(s)", "consumption" or "nourishment" do quite
* avoids specifying either the liquid or solid forms of ingestion, includes both
* is nevertheless short
* avoids false translations such as "bill", "tab", "costs"
* is idiomatic English

That's my case and I'm sticking to it! :D If someone objects "But one could have both food AND drink in a cafe!", well yes but from a certain POV that could be said to be included in the "or" phrase, i.e. since this type of guidebook listing is fairly loose using "or" will not imply "not both". If there's a problem, go with my variant.


matmcv (X)
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:19
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  writeaway: yes, it's whatever you sit down and 'consume' in a café. from a croque-monsieur, salade, steak frites to a jus d'orange, wine or cola. and everything else on their 'carte' . food and drink.
2 hrs
  -> Thanks writeaway!
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32 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
Drink in a bar


Explanation:
The cost of which does indeed vary but then a 'consommation dans un café' is just as variable because it can be a coffee in the bar PMU or a glass of champagne at Fouquets. The intention is to give an average price for a drink in a bar. If you're still unhappy you could also use 'beverage', but no term will get round the variable price issue.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 14 hrs (2008-06-18 06:17:40 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I have always seen "consommation dans un café" to refer to drinks only. The Collins Robert gives consommation dans un café as "drink", quite simply. The Fr is a broad term, but its usage in the context of 'café' is narrow and doesn't include food.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 15 hrs (2008-06-18 07:24:54 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

OK, so DRINK/BEVERAGE IN A BAR/CAFE

Emma Paulay
France
Local time: 16:19
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 126

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Tony M: I think there is at least one perfectly good alternative, and I don't think one should make the translation more specific than the original / But it might also be a coffee in a café, and 'drink in a bar' in EN implies the likelihood of an alcoholic drink
19 mins
  -> In my experience, "consommation" means a drink. When you go to a club, you often get a free 'consommation' and it doesn't mean a packet of crisps. Victoria's list is just an average price for average things. 'Refreshments' makes it vaguer than the ST.
agree  Nicky Over: I agree - that's what I suggested (see above)
19 hrs
  -> Thanks Nicky. Yes you did suggest drink, but I just thought it best to add the place. Although strictly speaking you're right because the question is only for 'consommation', but the rest is all important as I keep trying to say.
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49 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +6
refreshments


Explanation:
Just about covers all bases (unless it's some other kind of 'consumption'...!)

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2008-06-17 17:07:06 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Although I don't think it would be applicable in the current context, I just wanted to note here that in formal accounting, things like refreshments, meals out, etc. are often referred to as 'subsistence' when making expenses claims.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 18 hrs (2008-06-18 10:06:58 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I don't understand Emma's objection: I believe there is nothing inherently vague about 'refreshmenst', and I think it is in exactly the same register as the source term; slightly formal, in a way that you wouldn't say to your potes "I'm just off for a quick consommation in the nearest café"

The consensus here seems to be that 'consomamtion' should not be understood as being confined to purely beverages alone, and 'refreshments' is a neat and slightly more formal way of saying 'food-&-drink'

It's odd that Emma seems to think that 'refreshments' is too vague and all-encompassing, while Manu seems to think it is too narrow and only relates to drinks?!



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 18 hrs (2008-06-18 10:24:01 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Here's a quote from American-as-it comes Disney, seeming to confirm that even in the US, 'refreshments' can mean both food and drink:

Step out of the hub-bub, right off Central Plaza and Main Street, U.S.A., and watch the world go by as you enjoy the refreshments.
* Hearty beef hot dogs
* Mickey Mouse-shaped pretzels (with and without cheese)
* Hearty chili in a bread bowl
* Ice cold beverages
* Live Ragtime piano music!
Cuisine: American
Service Type: Quick Service
Price Range: $ ($10 per person or less) *
Meals Served: Snack
Location: Main Street, U.S.A.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/parks/dinin...

Tony M
France
Local time: 16:19
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 348
Grading comment
WoW! Is this the most solutions ever suggested for a single term?? Many thanks to all who contributed, but 'refreshments' sounds the most natural UK English solution to me and can include food, drinks and/or both.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Jean-Claude Gouin: When I see 'consumption', I think of tuberculosis ...
5 mins
  -> Thanks, J-C! Oh yes, me too... Violetta and all that... "Libiamo, ..."
agree  Irene McClure: you're right, your plural sounds better than my singular!
7 mins
  -> Thanks, Irene! Very generous of you.
agree  Assimina Vavoula
1 hr
  -> Yassou Assimina! Ti kaneis?
agree  cmwilliams (X)
2 hrs
  -> Thanks, CMW!
neutral  Drmanu49: That's what I meant Tony, consommation is not restricted to refreshments IMO. You can eat a whole meal in a café.
5 hrs
  -> But Manu, 'refreshments' means exactly that — drinks, light (or not-so-light!) meals, etc.
neutral  Emma Paulay: Consommation=drink. And refreshments can be bought in a supermarket.//My pbm is that refreshments includes food and I don't think "consommation" does here. It's the average price of a drink in a bar/café, no sandwiches or "autres croque monsieur" involved
13 hrs
  -> Refreshments doesn't imply NOT 'drink', it's really pretty neutral either way; but does tend to imply consumption in a specific establishment (café could always be specified...), rather than just articles purchased in a s/market.
agree  Richard Nice: they won't let me answer your answer so here's a slot: Chiefly I want a neat quick conclusion to this, am torn between fascination and repulsion, it's like watching Desperate Housewives...
18 hrs
  -> Thanks, Richard! LOL!
agree  NancyLynn
52 days
  -> Thanks, Nancy!
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
meals


Explanation:
As the person is abroad he will have to eat and drink outside, for example in a café.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day11 mins (2008-06-18 16:17:48 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

food expensese

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day12 mins (2008-06-18 16:18:19 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

food expenses

Example sentence(s):
  • You will probably spend 5 Euros daily on meals.
saraja
Mauritius
Local time: 18:19
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Tony M: Yes, but as has already been stated, this might be meals OR drinks, so it's unwise to be so specific / But that's still tying it down too much to one thing, since it may well be/include drinks
8 mins
  -> food expenses
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36 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
expenses


Explanation:
another option?!

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day1 hr (2008-06-18 17:06:55 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

How about simply putting in Extras?

helena barham
France
Local time: 16:19
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4
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