Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| déjeuner | /de.ʒœ.ne/ /de.ʒø.ne/ |
masculine |
| dîner (Cajun) | Belgium, Canadian French, Swiss, masculine | |
| lunch | /lœ̃ʃ/ | masculine |
The term refers to the meal eaten around midday. You can use the noun to name the meal itself, or use the verb form to describe the act of eating it.
Which one should you use?
In standard metropolitan French, déjeuner refers specifically to lunch, while petit déjeuner is used for breakfast. In contrast, the word lunch can also be used in French to mean lunch.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Belgium, Switzerland and parts of Canada, the word dîner is commonly used to mean the midday meal instead of déjeuner.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word déjeuner is a masculine noun that can also function as a verb. To express the action of eating lunch, you can use the verb déjeuner, the phrase prendre le déjeuner or the verb prendre déjeuner. Additionally, the verb luncher is also used to mean to eat lunch.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables: /de.ʒœ.ne/.
Did you know?
- The French word déjeuner literally means 'to break a fast', coming from dé- and jeûner (to fast).
- The French word for breakfast, petit déjeuner, literally means 'little lunch', showing a linguistic connection between the first and second meals of the day.
Examples in context
- On va déjeuner ?Shall we go for lunch?This sentence shows how to suggest going for lunch using déjeuner.Tatoeba #10959551 by roptat, translation #12538310 by sundown
- Il a un déjeuner.He has a lunch.This sentence demonstrates the use of déjeuner as a noun.Tatoeba #4626806 by sacredceltic, translation #303600 by CK
- Apporte à déjeuner !Bring a lunch.This sentence uses déjeuner to refer to the meal being brought.Tatoeba #4626060 by sacredceltic, translation #4496188 by CK
- Le repas de midi est un moment important de la journée.Lunch is an important moment of the day.
- Je mange toujours un bon repas à midi.I always have a good meal at lunchtime.
- Aujourd'hui, je ne peux pas déjeuner avec toi à midi.Today, I can't have lunch with you at noon.
- 387 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking in the office kitchen.
- ManonTu veux prendre ton déjeuner maintenant ?Do you want to have your lunch now?
- NathanOui, j'ai très faim aujourd'hui.Yes, I am very hungry today.
- ManonJe vais préparer mon déjeuner rapidement.I am going to prepare my lunch quickly.
- NathanD'accord, on se retrouve dans dix minutes.Okay, we'll meet in ten minutes.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lunch” translations and entries déjeuner, lunch, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries déjeuner, dîner, lunch, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
