Table is the most common way to say “table” in French. But there are several other options. As you navigate daily life in a French-speaking environment, or even just read a French menu, you'll encounter tables of all kinds! Let’s look at some common ways to say “table” (and, sometimes, more than just the furniture) in French!

The standard 'table' – la table

The standard 'table' – la table

La table is the most common and fundamental word for 'table' in French.

As a feminine noun, table will always be preceded by feminine articles (like la, une) and agree in number: la table (the table), les tables (the tables).

Its primary use refers to a piece of furniture with a flat top and one or more legs, typically used for eating, working, or placing objects.

Beyond furniture, la table can also refer to a 'table of contents' (la table des matières), or a 'dining table' specifically (la table à manger).

Several common French expressions use la table, such as mettre la table (to set the table) or passer à table (to sit down to eat, or figuratively, to confess/spill the beans).

In French culture, la table often symbolizes conviviality and shared meals, a central aspect of social life.

💡 * Je mets les clés sur la table. (I put the keys on the table.)

• Nous dînons à la table ce soir. (We are dining at the table tonight.)
• La table des matières est très utile. (The table of contents is very useful.)
• Peux-tu mettre la table, s'il te plaît ? (Can you set the table, please?)
• Il y a trois tables libres dans le restaurant. (There are three free tables in the restaurant.)

The 'coffee table' or 'low table' – la table basse

The “coffee table” or “low table” – la table basse

In French, the standard term for a 'coffee table' or 'low table' is la table basse. This literally translates to 'the low table', accurately describing its characteristic height and function in a living space.

You will commonly hear la table basse used in everyday conversations when referring to this ubiquitous piece of living room furniture. It is the most widely accepted and understood term in French.

The adjective basse (low) is crucial in this term, as it distinguishes it from other types of tables, such as a dining table (la table à manger) or a desk (le bureau), which are typically taller.

Much like its English equivalent, la table basse serves as a central fixture in a living room, providing a surface for drinks, books, magazines, remote controls, or decorative items. It's an essential element of most French lounges and seating areas.

While table basse is the most precise and common term, you might occasionally encounter table de salon (living room table). However, table basse specifically emphasizes its low height and typical use as a coffee table.

💡 * J'ai acheté une nouvelle table basse pour mon salon. (I bought a new coffee table for my living room.)

• Peux-tu mettre les magazines sur la table basse s'il te plaît ? (Can you put the magazines on the coffee table, please?)
• La télécommande est toujours sur la table basse. (The remote control is always on the coffee table.)
• Cette table basse en verre est très moderne. (This glass coffee table is very modern.)

The 'dining table' – la table à manger

When you want to specifically refer to a dining table in French, the most common and precise term is la table à manger.

This phrase literally translates to 'the table for eating'. It's composed of la table (the table) and the prepositional phrase à manger (to eat/for eating), which specifies its function.

While la table can refer to any table (a coffee table, a desk, etc.), adding à manger clarifies its purpose: it's where meals are served and eaten. You'll often hear just la table if the context is already clear that it's the dining table.

As table is a feminine noun in French, la table à manger is also feminine. This means you will use feminine articles and adjectives with it.

You'll often encounter this term with verbs like mettre la table (to set the table), débarrasser la table (to clear the table), or when describing the act of eating, manger à table (to eat at the table).

💡 *Nous dînons toujours à la table à manger. (We always dine at the dining table.)*Elle a acheté une nouvelle table à manger pour son appartement. (She bought a new dining table for her apartment.)*Peux-tu mettre la table à manger, s'il te plaît ? (Can you set the dining table, please?)*La table à manger est au centre de la cuisine. (The dining table is in the center of the kitchen.)*Ils se sont assis autour de la table à manger. (They sat around the dining table.)

The 'desk' or 'work table' – le bureau

Le bureau primarily translates to “desk” or “work table” in French, referring to the piece of furniture used for working, studying, or writing.

As a masculine noun, it is preceded by le (the) or un (a). Its plural form is les bureaux.

Beyond a piece of furniture, le bureau also commonly refers to an “office” – a room or a place where work is done, or even an entire company’s administrative headquarters.

In a broader context, un bureau can also denote a specific “agency,” “department,” or “branch” of an organization, such as le bureau de poste (post office) or un bureau de vote (polling station).

💡 *J'ai acheté un nouveau bureau pour mon ordinateur. (I bought a new desk for my computer.)
*Je vais au bureau tous les matins. (I go to the office every morning.)
*Le directeur est dans son bureau. (The director is in his office.)
*Où se trouve le bureau de poste le plus proche ? (Where is the nearest post office?)
*Le bureau du maire est fermé aujourd'hui. (The mayor's office is closed today.)

The 'nightstand' or 'bedside table' – la table de chevet

The “nightstand” or “bedside table” – la table de chevet

La table de chevet is the standard French term for what English speakers call a “nightstand” or “bedside table.” It refers to the small table placed next to a bed.

Literally, it translates to “the table of the bedside.” Table means “table,” and chevet refers to the “head of the bed” or “bedside.”

This piece of furniture is essential in most bedrooms, providing a surface for a lamp, books, an alarm clock, or other personal items kept close at hand during the night.

Remember that table is a feminine noun in French, so it always takes the feminine article la (or une), making it la table de chevet.

While la table de chevet is the most precise and common term, you might also hear la table de nuit, which also means “night table” and is widely understood.

💡 * J'ai posé mon livre sur la table de chevet. (I put my book on the nightstand.)

• La lampe de chevet est sur la table de chevet. (The bedside lamp is on the bedside table.)
• Chaque chambre a sa propre table de chevet. (Each bedroom has its own nightstand.)
• Mets ton téléphone sur la table de nuit avant de dormir. (Put your phone on the bedside table before sleeping.)
• Elle a un tiroir dans sa table de chevet pour ranger ses affaires. (She has a drawer in her nightstand to store her things.)

The 'kitchen table' – la table de cuisine

In French, the direct and most common translation for 'kitchen table' is la table de cuisine.

This phrase refers specifically to a table located within the kitchen itself, serving as a versatile spot for casual meals, food preparation, or as a central gathering point in the home.

While la table de cuisine is used for eating, it's generally more informal than la table à manger (dining table), which is typically found in a separate dining room and often reserved for more formal occasions.

The structure la table de cuisine literally translates to 'the table of kitchen'. The preposition de (of/from) is used to link the noun 'table' to its specific location or purpose, 'cuisine' (kitchen).

It's a foundational piece of furniture for daily life, where families might have breakfast, children complete homework, or friends gather for a quick coffee.

💡 * Nous prenons le petit-déjeuner à la table de cuisine chaque matin. (We have breakfast at the kitchen table every morning.)

• J'ai laissé mes clés sur la table de cuisine. (I left my keys on the kitchen table.)
• La table de cuisine est parfaite pour préparer les légumes. (The kitchen table is perfect for preparing vegetables.)
• Les enfants font souvent leurs devoirs à la table de cuisine. (The children often do their homework at the kitchen table.)

The 'round table' – la table ronde

The most straightforward meaning of la table ronde is simply a round table, an item of furniture with a circular top.

Beyond its literal sense, la table ronde (the Round Table) famously refers to King Arthur's legendary table where knights sat as equals. In French, it also commonly denotes a discussion or conference where all participants have equal standing.

In contemporary French, when you hear une table ronde in a professional or academic context, it almost always means a panel discussion or a conference where several experts or participants share their views on a specific topic.

💡 * Nous avons acheté une nouvelle table ronde pour la salle à manger. (We bought a new round table for the dining room.)

• La légende du Roi Arthur et de ses Chevaliers de la Table Ronde est fascinante. (The legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table is fascinating.)
• Une table ronde sur l'avenir de l'intelligence artificielle aura lieu demain. (A round table discussion on the future of artificial intelligence will take place tomorrow.)
• Les ministres ont participé à une table ronde pour discuter de la crise économique. (The ministers participated in a round table to discuss the economic crisis.)

The 'conference table' – la table de conférence

The term for 'conference table' in French is la table de conférence. This is a straightforward and widely understood term.

This phrase is used to refer to a large table, typically found in meeting rooms, boardrooms, or offices, where discussions and meetings take place. It's a functional piece of furniture designed for collaborative work.

While la table de conférence is the most common and direct translation, you might also hear la table de réunion (meeting table), which carries a very similar meaning and is often used interchangeably.

Conference tables often come in various shapes (rectangular, oval, round) and sizes, accommodating different numbers of participants. They are central to professional communication and decision-making in many workplaces.

💡 * Nous avons besoin d'une nouvelle table de conférence pour la salle de réunion principale. (We need a new conference table for the main meeting room.)

• Les documents sont posés sur la table de conférence. (The documents are placed on the conference table.)
• La discussion a eu lieu autour de la grande table de conférence. (The discussion took place around the large conference table.)
• Veuillez vous asseoir à la table de conférence. (Please sit at the conference table.)

The 'operating table' – la table d'opération

To say 'operating table' in French, the most accurate and commonly used term is la table d'opération.

La table d'opération translates directly to 'the table of operation'. It specifically designates the specialized table used for surgical procedures in a medical setting.

This term is exclusively found within medical environments, such as hospitals, clinics, and surgical centers. It is the crucial piece of furniture where patients undergo surgery.

While la table d'opération refers to the table itself, the room where surgery occurs is known as la salle d'opération (operating room) or, more broadly, le bloc opératoire (operating theatre/suite).

Given its technical and medical nature, la table d'opération is a formal and precise term. There are no informal or slang equivalents; its usage is strictly professional.

💡 *Le patient a été préparé sur la table d'opération. (The patient was prepared on the operating table.)
*La table d'opération doit être stérilisée avant chaque intervention. (The operating table must be sterilized before each procedure.)
*L'anesthésiste a vérifié l'équipement près de la table d'opération. (The anesthesiologist checked the equipment near the operating table.)
*Nous avons transporté le blessé vers la salle d'opération. (We transported the injured person to the operating room.)
*De nouvelles tables d'opération ont été installées dans l'hôpital. (New operating tables have been installed in the hospital.)

Are there other ways to say 'table' in French?

Are there other ways to say “table” in French?

Our list features the most common ways to say “table” in French. While table is the primary term, French, like any rich language, offers nuances and specific terms for different types of tables or table-related concepts.

You can also explore specific contexts by searching for phrases like “types de tables en français” or “mobilier de salle à manger français” to discover specialized vocabulary.

While table is quite straightforward, you might encounter words describing specific table functions or styles. Always check a word’s definition and observe its usage in context to ensure you're using it correctly.

Pay attention as you read, watch, and listen to things in French — you may discover various terms for specific types of tables, from a guéridon (small round table) to an écritoire (writing desk).

And if you’re looking for more specific terms related to tables or furniture, the WordReference entry for table and related terms is a great place to start!

I hope this article helped you understand the nuances of saying 'table' in French. The humble table is often at the center of our lives, from family meals to important discussions. As the French say, “On met les pieds sous la table” (literally, “We put our feet under the table”), meaning to relax and enjoy a meal.