Égoutter vs. drainer vs. vider

Word practice demo

While égoutter, drainer, and vider can all translate to the English verb "to drain", they apply to different physical actions. Égoutter focuses on removing liquid from a solid (straining), drainer involves channeling liquid out of a specific area or body, and vider simply means to empty a container completely.

Égoutter

This verb comes from the word goutte (drop). Égoutter is primarily used in culinary contexts when you separate a solid from a liquid using a sieve or colander. It implies letting the liquid drip off until the object is relatively dry.

Tu dois égoutter les pâtes avant de mettre la sauce.

(You must drain the pasta before adding the sauce.)

Il faut bien égoutter la mozzarella pour ne pas mouiller la pizza.

(You have to drain the mozzarella well to avoid wetting the pizza.)

Laisse égoutter ton parapluie dans le couloir.

(Let your umbrella drip dry in the hallway.)

Je vais égoutter les légumes en conserve.

(I am going to drain the canned vegetables.)

Drainer

This word is much closer to the English "drain" regarding infrastructure, land, or medicine. Drainer implies extracting a fluid from a medium (like soil or a body part) via a channel, pump, or natural flow. It is also used metaphorically for finances or energy.

Les agriculteurs ont creusé des fossés pour drainer le champ inondé.

(The farmers dug ditches to drain the flooded field.)

Le médecin a décidé de drainer le liquide accumulé dans son genou.

(The doctor decided to drain the fluid accumulated in his knee.)

Cette crise économique va drainer les ressources du pays.

(This economic crisis is going to drain the country's resources.)

Ces réunions interminables me drainent toute mon énergie.

(These endless meetings drain all my energy.)

Vider

The literal meaning of vider is "to make empty" (related to vide meaning void/empty). It describes draining a tank, sink, pool, or container until nothing remains inside. It can also refer to gutting a fish or fowl in cooking.

Ils vont vider la piscine pour la nettoyer cet hiver.

(They are going to drain the pool to clean it this winter.)

Si l'évier est bouché, tu ne pourras pas le vider.

(If the sink is clogged, you won't be able to drain it.)

Le mécanicien doit vider le réservoir d'huile.

(The mechanic has to drain the oil tank.)

Le poissonnier va écailler et vider le poisson pour vous.

(The fishmonger will scale and gut (drain) the fish for you.)

Summary

To choose the right word, look at the object. If you are straining food (removing drops), use égoutter. If you are extracting fluid from land, a wound, or resources, use drainer. If you are simply emptying a container of its liquid, use vider.