boîte à lunch
The English phrase "lunchbox" is translated into French as boîte à lunch.
A lunchbox is a container used for transporting meals.
Meaning: container for transporting meals (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase boîte à lunch is composed of boîte (box), the preposition à (for or intended for) and the anglicism lunch. Literally, it means "box for lunch".
Which one should you use?
In addition to the standard term, you may encounter Gamelle, which refers to a lunchbox in a casual context or Bentô, which refers specifically to the type of lunchbox common in Asian cuisine.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec French, boîte à lunch is the standard way to say lunchbox.
Did you know?
- In some French contexts, boîte is used as a slang term for a nightclub, making the word for lunchbox also the word for a place to dance.
- The term gamelle is often used to describe a lunchbox, but it carries a heavy connotation of military or industrial life. It evokes the image of a metal tin used by soldiers in the field or workers on a construction site.
- While boîte à lunch is standard in Quebec, using the word 'lunch' in France can sound quite Americanized or trendy. In many parts of France, people would more naturally use the word déjeuner to describe the meal itself.
Examples in context
- J'ai préparé mon repas et l'ai mis dans ma boîte à lunch.I prepared my meal and put it in my lunchbox.
- J'ai oublié ma gamelle à la maison.I forgot my lunchbox at home.
- J'ai préparé mon bentô pour le déjeuner.I prepared my lunchbox for lunch.
- Je transporte mon déjeuner dans ma boîte repas.I carry my lunch in my lunchbox.
- J'ai oublié ma boîte à lunch.I forgot my lunchbox.
- La boîte à lunch est bleue.The lunchbox is blue.
- Où est ta boîte à lunch ?Where is your lunchbox?
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are in the kitchen before work.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu as vu ma boîte à lunch ?Have you seen my lunchbox?
- LéaElle est sur la table, Gabriel.It is on the table, Gabriel.
- GabrielAh, merci beaucoup !Ah, thank you very much!
- LéaDe rien, bonne journée !You're welcome, have a good day!
