dégustes

Dégustes is the second-person singular present indicative form of the French verb déguster, which means to sample, taste, or savor food and drink. It can also appear in the description of a tasting action involving the person addressed as “you.” The imperative form for informal direct addressing is Déguste, not Dégustes.

Etymology and meaning: déguster derives from Latin degustare and entered French through Old French and medieval forms related to tasting and evaluation. The verb is transitive, typically used with a direct object such as a dish, wine, cheese, or chocolate.

Usage and context: In culinary and gastronomic contexts, déguster refers to deliberately sampling to evaluate flavor, texture, and quality. It is common in wine, cheese, and chocolate cultures, as well as in general dining. Related nouns include dégustation (the act of tasting) and dégustateur (a taster or sensory analyst).

Conjugation (illustrative): je déguste, tu dégustes, il/elle déguste, nous dégustons, vous dégustez, ils/elles dégustent. Compound tenses use the participle déguster: j’ai dégusté. Other forms include imperfect: je dégusteais; future: je dégusterai; present participle: dégustant.

See also: dégustation, dégustateur, dégustation professionnelle, tasting notes. Déguster and its derivatives are widely used in culinary journalism, sommellerie, and gastronomy to describe the act and evaluation of tasting.