pause déjeuner
The English phrase "lunch break" is translated into French as pause déjeuner.
pause déjeuner is used to describe a period of time during the workday when employees or students stop working to eat lunch.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of pause (break/pause) and déjeuner (lunch).
Which one should you use?
While pause déjeuner specifically refers to the lunch break, the shorter term la pause can refer to any short break taken during the day.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to "the" lunch break, use the feminine article la because pause is a feminine noun, resulting in la pause déjeuner.
Did you know?
- In some regions of France, Belgium and Switzerland, déjeuner refers to breakfast rather than lunch.
- If you are too brief with your pause déjeuner, you might be described as 'manger sur le pouce', which literally means 'to eat on the thumb'.
- The word déjeuner is actually a verb that means 'to break one's fast'. It is derived from the prefix 'dé-' and the verb 'jeûner', which means 'to fast'.
Examples in context
- Je suis en pause déjeuner.I'm on my lunch break.This sentence is useful for stating that you are currently on your pause déjeuner.Tatoeba #2180461 by sacredceltic, translation #2179171 by Hybrid
- C'est l'heure de la pause déjeuner !Lunch break!This sentence is useful for announcing that it is time for the pause déjeuner.Tatoeba #7107322 by Micsmithel, translation #6587875 by Eccles17
- J'ai une demi-heure de pause déjeuner.I've got half an hour lunch break.This sentence is useful for describing the duration of a pause déjeuner.Tatoeba #13207351 by lbdx, translation #11066311 by sundown
- Je prends ma pause déjeuner maintenant.I'm taking my lunch break now.
- Je vais prendre ma pause déj maintenant.I'm going to take my lunch break now.
- Je suis en pause repas jusqu'à 13 heures.I'm on a lunch break until 1 p.m.
- Oui, je suis en pause déjeuner à partir de 12 heures.Yes, I'm on a lunch break starting at 12 o'clock.
- On se retrouve pendant la pause déj?Shall we meet during lunch break?
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking in the office hallway.
- NathanTu veux sortir pour la pause déjeuner ?Do you want to go out for the lunch break?
- ManonOui, j'ai très faim, Manon.Yes, I am very hungry, Manon.
- NathanOn se retrouve à la pause déjeuner alors.We'll meet at the lunch break then.
- ManonD'accord, à tout à l'heure, Nathan.Okay, see you later, Nathan.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries déjeuner, pause, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
