Je prends mon petit-déjeuner
The French phrase for "I eat breakfast" is Je prends mon petit-déjeuner.
This phrase is used to say that you are consuming your first meal of the day.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "I take my little-lunch".
Which one should you use?
While manger means 'to eat', French speakers more commonly use the verb prendre (to take) when referring to meals. You may also encounter Je déjeune, a single verb meaning to eat a meal. However, its specific meaning (breakfast vs lunch) can depend on the region.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The meaning of the verb déjeuner can vary by region, sometimes referring specifically to breakfast and other times to lunch.
Did you know?
- French speakers often dip their tartines or croissants directly into their coffee or hot chocolate, a habit that is less common in English-speaking cultures.
- While the phrase uses petit-déjeuner meaning 'little lunch', the term originally referred to a light snack eaten before the main meal of the day.
- The word je has a surprising linguistic cousin in the English word 'I', as both trace back to the same ancient Indo-European roots for the first-person pronoun.
Examples in context
- Je prends mon petit-déjeuner chaque matin.I eat breakfast every morning.This sentence is useful for showing the frequency of the action with Je prends mon petit-déjeuner.Tatoeba #467961 by sacredceltic, translation #464655 by CK
- Lors de mes voyages d'affaires, je prends mon petit déjeuner dans ma chambre d'hôtel.During my business trips, I have breakfast in my hotel room.
- Je prends mon petit-déjeuner dans la cuisine.I eat my breakfast in the kitchen.
- D'abord, je prends mon petit-déjeuner tranquillement.First, I eat my breakfast quietly.
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are talking about their morning routines.
- LéaJe prends mon petit-déjeuner maintenant.I am eating my breakfast now.
- GabrielTu manges quoi, Léa ?What are you eating, Léa?
- LéaJe mange des tartines.I am eating some toast.
- GabrielC'est très bon !That is very good!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, mon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
