A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "This isn't what i ordered" in French
Politely inform your server if the dish that arrives at your table isn't what you requested.
Ce n'est pas ce que j'ai commandé.
suh nay pah suh kuh zhay koh-mahn-DAYneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when the waiter brings a dish that is clearly not what you asked for from the menu. It's a direct but polite way to point out the error.
Alternatives
- Ce n'est pas ce que j'avais demandé.Slightly more formal, emphasizing the past request.
- Il y a une erreur.More general, meaning 'There is a mistake'.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'ce'
The 'c' in 'ce' is pronounced like 'suh', not like the English 'see'.
Silent 't' in 'est'
The 't' in 'est' is silent; it sounds like 'ay', not 'est'.
Nasal vowel in 'commandé'
The 'an' in 'commandé' is a nasal sound, like 'ahn' without fully closing your mouth.
A small cultural note
While directness is common in French service, always maintain a polite tone. A smile and a 's'il vous plaît' go a long way.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
What if they bring the wrong drink?
You can use the same phrase: 'Ce n'est pas ce que j'ai commandé.' It works for both food and beverages.
How to say it more strongly?
You could add 'Excusez-moi' at the beginning, but avoid sounding angry. The current phrase is usually sufficient.
What if I just want to change my mind?
This phrase is for when they made a mistake, not for when you change your mind. For that, you'd say something like 'Je voudrais changer ma commande'.
