How to Say "Lunchtime" in French

heure du déjeuner

feminine

The English phrase "lunchtime" is translated into French as heure du déjeuner.

Heure du déjeuner refers to the specific time or hour designated for lunch.

Meaning: time or hour for lunch (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of heure (hour), du (of the) and déjeuner (lunch).

Heure du déjeuner specifically refers to the time or period of the day, whereas le déjeuner refers to the actual meal itself.

In Quebec, the word dîner is used to mean lunch.

When used with the definite article, heure undergoes elision to become l'heure because it starts with a silent 'h'.

The verb déjeuner literally means 'to break a fast', sharing the same linguistic root as the English word 'breakfast'.
In many French-speaking regions, the time for lunch is not just a quick break but a culturally significant social ritual that can last much longer than the English 'lunchtime'.

Je devrais arriver à Boston d'ici l'heure du déjeuner.
I should get to Boston by lunchtime.
This sentence shows how to use heure du déjeuner to indicate a deadline or arrival time.
Tatoeba #5329181 by Aiji, translation #3024269 by CK
« À quoi pensez-vous ? » « À l'heure du déjeuner. »
"What are you thinking about?" "Lunchtime."
This example shows the use of heure du déjeuner as a standalone response to a question.
Tatoeba #6797176 by felix63, translation #6900740 by kaiperkins271
Le déjeuner est à midi
Lunch is at noon
Le repas de midi
The midday meal
C'est l'heure du déjeuner
It's lunchtime
Nous prenons notre repas de midi
We are having our midday meal
Je vais en pause déjeuner
I'm going on lunch break
On se retrouve au moment du repas de midi
Let's meet at lunchtime
J'ai un rendez-vous important juste après le repas de midi.
I have an important meeting right after lunchtime.
Pouvons-nous discuter de cette affaire pendant la pause déjeuner ?
Can we discuss this matter during lunch break?
Je suis libre au moment du repas de midi. Allons déjeuner ensemble !
I'm free at lunchtime. Let's have lunch together!
La cantine sert le repas de midi à partir de 12h30.
The cafeteria serves lunch from 12:30 onwards.
On mange notre dîner à midi et demi
We have our lunch at half past twelve
L'heure du déjeuner approche.
Lunchtime is approaching.

Two colleagues are talking in an office.

Sources

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