Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| petit déjeuner | /pə.ti de.ʒœ.ne/ /pə.ti deʒ.ne/ |
France, masculine |
| déjeuner | /de.ʒœ.ne/ /de.ʒø.ne/ |
Belgium, Switzerland, masculine |
This noun refers to the first meal of the day. When you want to use a verb phrase to say 'to eat breakfast', you should typically use prendre le petit déjeuner rather than just using the word as a verb. You can describe a full breakfast as un petit déjeuner complet, or a savory breakfast as un petit déjeuner salé.
What does it mean word for word?
The term petit déjeuner literally translates to 'little lunch'.
Which one should you use?
In France, déjeuner means lunch, whereas in Belgium and Switzerland, it can mean breakfast.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term déjeuner is used specifically to mean breakfast in Belgium and Switzerland.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun for breakfast can be written either with a hyphen as petit-déjeuner or without a hyphen as petit déjeuner.
How do you pronounce it?
4 syllables: /pə.ti de.ʒœ.ne/
When do people say it?
A croissant or pastry is called une viennoiserie.
Did you know?
- In France, the term viennoiserie for breakfast pastries comes from the word for 'Vienna', reflecting the Austrian influence on French baking.
- The verb déjeuner is built upon the word jeûner, which means 'to fast'. Therefore, to 'break one's fast' is to literally 'un-fast' oneself.
- A typical petit déjeuner in a French café often consists of a tartine which is a simple open-faced baguette slice with butter and jam.
Examples in context
- Le déjeuner est servi.Breakfast is served.This sentence shows how to use déjeuner to mean breakfast.Tatoeba #4547381 by sacredceltic, translation #2245012 by CK
- Le petit-déjeuner est prêt.Breakfast is ready.Tatoeba #567252 by sacredceltic, translation #277773 by CK
- Je viens de petit-déjeuner.I've just finished eating breakfast.This sentence shows the use of the verb form déjeuner to mean eating breakfast.Tatoeba #1051441 by sacredceltic, translation #1891192 by CK
- Je prends souvent un petit déjeuner copieux le matin.I often have a hearty breakfast in the morning.
- 467 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are in the kitchen on a weekend morning.
- NathanTu veux prendre ton petit déjeuner maintenant ?Do you want to have your breakfast now?
- ChloéOui, j'ai très faim ce matin.Yes, I am very hungry this morning.
- NathanJe prépare un bon petit déjeuner pour nous deux.I am preparing a good breakfast for both of us.
- ChloéMerci Nathan, c'est très gentil.Thank you Nathan, that is very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “breakfast” translations and entries petit déjeuner, déjeuner, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries déjeuner, petit, petit déjeuner, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
