la nourriture, l'alimentation, les provisions

[alan gould]

i would generally use "la nourriture" but i see that "acheter des provisions" is used for "to shop for food."  i'm thinking that as in english, provisions is used for big institutions (military, schools, etc).  please differentiate when to use these three.   merci d'avance

[Stevo]

Hi Alan.

As I haven't many time today for writing a complete explaination. So, I will focus on the essential.

“La nourriture” and “l'amimentation” match to, indeed, “the food”.

“provision” is a term most general and can be used according to several manners. Besides, it's also possible to “faire des provisions de nourritures”. So, it's possible to :

- “faire des provisions de bois”

- “faire des provisions de stylos”

- “faire des provisions de vétements chauds”

- figuratively : “faire provision de bonne volonté”

An accuracy : We also can write “faire provision de...” instead of “faire des provisions de...” In this case, “provision” looses his “s”.