en-cas de minuit
The English phrase "midnight snack" is translated into French as en-cas de minuit.
en-cas de minuit refers to a small amount of food eaten late at night or shortly before going to bed.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of en-cas, which means a snack or something to eat in case of need and de minuit, meaning of midnight.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is a masculine noun phrase. When referring to a single midnight snack, you use the masculine article un en-cas de minuit.
Did you know?
- While en-cas de minuit is used for the food itself, the phrase avoir un petit creux describes the physical sensation of a 'small hole' in the stomach that makes you want a snack.
- The act of snacking late at night is often called grignotage, which comes from the verb meaning 'to nibble' or 'to gnaw' like a rodent.
- The word minuit literally translates to 'half night', coming from the Old French mie nuit.
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are in the kitchen late at night.
- EmmaGabriel, tu veux un en-cas de minuit ?Gabriel, do you want a midnight snack?
- GabrielOui, j'ai très faim soudainement.Yes, I am suddenly very hungry.
- EmmaJe vais couper du fromage pour nous.I will cut some cheese for us.
- GabrielC'est une excellente idée, Emma.That is an excellent idea, Emma.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, en-cas, minuit, CC BY-SA 4.0.
