je mange des céréales
In French, 'I eat cereal' is translated as je mange des céréales.
This phrase is used to state that you are consuming a breakfast food made from grains. In French, the word céréales is always used in the plural form when referring to this specific food.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'I eat some cereals' because des is the plural indefinite article.
How does it change in a sentence?
The present tense form je mange is used to cover both the English meanings 'I eat' and 'I am eating'.
Did you know?
- While English speakers say 'I eat cereal', a French person might say je prends des céréales using the verb 'prendre' (to take) instead of 'manger' (to eat).
- The word céréales is derived from Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, grain growth and motherly love.
- In some French-speaking regions, including parts of Canada, people may use the word gruau specifically for oatmeal, whereas céréales covers the wider category of processed flakes.
Examples in context
- Je mange des céréales au petit-déjeuner.I eat cereal for breakfast.This sentence is useful for showing how to specify that you eat cereal at breakfast using the form je mange des céréales.Tatoeba #8330749 by Julien_PDC, translation #10919087 by AlanF_US
- Je prends des céréales chaque matin.I eat cereal every morning.
- Je mange des céréales avec du lait.I eat cereal with milk.
- Ce matin, j'ai bouffé des céréales trop sucrées.This morning, I ate cereal that was too sweet.
- Hier soir, je me suis tapé des céréales au dessert.Last night, I had cereal for dessert.
- Le matin, je mange des céréales.In the morning, I eat cereal.
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are in the kitchen in the morning.
- NathanQu'est-ce que tu manges, Emma ?What are you eating, Emma?
- EmmaJe mange des céréales.I eat cereal.
- NathanTu veux un peu de jus ?Do you want some juice?
- EmmaOui, merci Nathan.Yes, thank you Nathan.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
