petit-déjeuner (m) in 30 Sekunden
- Petit-déjeuner is the French word for breakfast, a masculine noun always used with a hyphen.
- The most common verb used with it is 'prendre' (to take/have), not 'manger'.
- In France, it is typically light (bread, pastries, coffee), but terminology varies in other Francophone regions.
- It is a key part of daily routine and cultural identity in the French-speaking world.
The term petit-déjeuner is the standard French word for the first meal of the day, breakfast. Etymologically, it is a fascinating compound word. It combines petit (small) and déjeuner (to break the fast). Historically, the word déjeuner alone meant breakfast, but as meal times shifted later in the day during the 19th century, déjeuner became the midday meal (lunch), and the morning meal needed a new name, hence 'the little breakfast'.
- Grammatical Gender
- Masculine (le petit-déjeuner)
- Plural Form
- Les petits-déjeuners (both parts take an 's')
- Common Abbreviation
- Le p'tit déj (informal)
In a traditional French context, the petit-déjeuner is typically lighter than in English-speaking countries. It often consists of a hot beverage—usually coffee, tea, or hot chocolate—served in a large bowl (un bol) rather than a cup, to facilitate the dipping of bread or pastries. The food component usually involves des tartines (slices of baguette with butter and jam) or des viennoiseries like croissants or pains au chocolat, though the latter are often reserved for weekends.
Au menu du petit-déjeuner (m) ce matin, il y a des croissants frais et du café noir.
The concept of breakfast varies across the Francophone world. While in France it is the 'little' breakfast, in Quebec, Belgium, and Switzerland, the morning meal is often simply called le déjeuner, while lunch is le dîner and dinner is le souper. This is a crucial distinction for learners traveling between these regions. Understanding petit-déjeuner requires recognizing it not just as a meal, but as a cultural ritual involving specific items like salted butter in Brittany or strong espresso in Paris.
Est-ce que le petit-déjeuner (m) est inclus dans le prix de la chambre ?
Furthermore, the word reflects the French attitude toward the start of the day: it is a moment of quiet transition. Unlike the 'power breakfast' culture sometimes found elsewhere, the French petit-déjeuner is often a solitary or family affair focused on simple, high-quality carbohydrates. In professional settings, a petit-déjeuner d'affaires (business breakfast) is common but usually involves pastries and coffee in a standing format or around a conference table.
Le petit-déjeuner (m) continental est servi de sept heures à dix heures.
- Core Components
- Le café, le jus d'orange, la baguette, le beurre.
Rien n'est meilleur qu'un petit-déjeuner (m) en terrasse au soleil.
Il ne faut jamais sauter le petit-déjeuner (m) car c'est le repas le plus important.
- Regional Variation
- France: Petit-déjeuner | Quebec/Belgium: Déjeuner.
Using petit-déjeuner correctly involves understanding its dual nature as both a noun and a verb, as well as the specific verbs that accompany the noun form. The most common way to say 'to have breakfast' is to use the verb prendre (to take). For example, Je prends mon petit-déjeuner. While you can technically say manger le petit-déjeuner, it sounds much less natural to a native ear. The verb prendre suggests the entire ritual of the meal, not just the act of chewing.
When using it as a verb, petit-déjeuner is a regular -er verb. Nous avons petit-déjeuné à huit heures (We had breakfast at eight o'clock). Note that when used as a verb, there is no hyphen between 'petit' and 'déjeuner' in traditional grammar, though modern usage often sees the hyphen carry over. However, the noun form le petit-déjeuner always requires the hyphen.
In terms of quantity and articles, you will often use the partitive articles when describing what you eat *for* breakfast. Au petit-déjeuner, je mange du pain et je bois du thé. Here, 'au' (à + le) acts as 'at' or 'for'. If you are describing the meal as a whole, you use the definite article: Le petit-déjeuner est servi dans la salle à manger. If you are referring to one specific instance of the meal, use the indefinite article: Nous avons pris un petit-déjeuner copieux.
Adjectives typically follow the noun. Common descriptors include copieux (hearty), léger (light), équilibré (balanced), or sucré/salé (sweet/savory). For instance, Un petit-déjeuner équilibré est essentiel pour la santé. In a hotel setting, you will frequently encounter le petit-déjeuner continental (bread, pastries, coffee) versus le petit-déjeuner anglais (eggs, bacon, beans).
The word is also used in compound nouns. La salle du petit-déjeuner (the breakfast room), le plateau du petit-déjeuner (the breakfast tray). When talking about time, you use 'pendant' or 'durant': Nous avons discuté de nos projets pendant le petit-déjeuner. It is also common to use it as a point of reference in time: Je te verrai après le petit-déjeuner.
You will encounter petit-déjeuner in a variety of daily scenarios. The most frequent is likely the hospitality industry. Upon checking into a French hotel, the receptionist will almost certainly ask: 'Voulez-vous prendre le petit-déjeuner demain matin ?' or inform you that 'Le petit-déjeuner est servi de 7h à 10h'. On menus, it usually has its own dedicated section, often simply titled 'Petit-Déjeuner' or 'Formules Matin'.
In a domestic setting, parents use it to wake their children: 'Allez, debout ! Le petit-déjeuner est sur la table.' It is a word associated with the morning rush or, conversely, the slow Sunday morning. You will hear it in advertisements for cereals, yogurts, and orange juices, often accompanied by the phrase 'partie d'un petit-déjeuner équilibré' (part of a balanced breakfast).
In the workplace, the petit-déjeuner d'accueil is a common ritual for welcoming a new employee or starting a seminar. It usually involves a box of croissants and a thermos of coffee brought into the office. Colleagues might ask each other, 'Tu as déjà pris ton petit-déj ?' (using the shortened version) before starting a meeting. In literature and film, the breakfast scene is a classic trope for establishing family dynamics or showing a character's morning routine.
Nutritional and medical contexts also frequently use the term. Doctors and nutritionists emphasize the importance of le premier repas de la journée, often using petit-déjeuner to discuss glucose levels and energy. You might see posters in schools or clinics saying 'Un bon petit-déjeuner pour bien apprendre' (A good breakfast to learn well).
One of the most frequent mistakes for English speakers is using the wrong verb. While in English we 'have' breakfast, in French, you prendre (take) it. Saying 'J'ai un petit-déjeuner' sounds like you possess a breakfast but aren't necessarily eating it. Always prefer 'Je prends mon petit-déjeuner'.
Another common error is the confusion with the verb déjeuner. In France, if you say 'Je déjeune à midi', you are talking about lunch. If you want to talk about breakfast using a verb, you must use petit-déjeuner (e.g., 'Je petit-déjeune à 7h'). However, as mentioned, in Quebec or Belgium, déjeuner *is* breakfast, which can lead to significant confusion during international travel. Always clarify the time if you are unsure!
Gender is another stumbling block. Many learners mistakenly think it is feminine because it ends in a sound that might seem soft, but it is strictly masculine: le petit-déjeuner. Using la is a clear marker of a non-native speaker. Additionally, the hyphen is often forgotten. In formal writing, petit-déjeuner (the noun) must have the hyphen. Without it, it looks like an adjective 'petit' modifying the noun 'déjeuner' (a small lunch).
The plural form also catches people off guard. Both 'petit' and 'déjeuner' take an 's': des petits-déjeuners. This follows the rule for compound nouns made of an adjective and a noun. Finally, avoid using manger as the primary verb. While not grammatically 'wrong' to say 'Je mange mon petit-déjeuner', it is stylistically weak compared to prendre.
To expand your vocabulary around the morning meal, consider words like le brunch. This is a direct loanword from English and is very popular in French cities on Sundays. It implies a heavier, later meal that combines breakfast and lunch elements. Another related term is la collation, which refers to a light snack, often taken in the mid-morning or afternoon, though it is less common than le goûter (the afternoon snack for children).
Le casse-croûte is another synonym for a quick meal or snack. While it literally means 'break-crust', it is often used for a rustic breakfast or a sandwich taken to work. In a more formal or hotel-specific context, you might hear le buffet matinal, referring to an all-you-can-eat breakfast spread.
Regarding the food itself, la viennoiserie is a crucial category. This includes croissants, pains au chocolat, and pains aux raisins—items typically eaten for breakfast but distinct from regular pain (bread). La tartine is another specific word, referring to a slice of bread spread with something. You don't just eat 'bread' for breakfast; you eat des tartines.
In terms of verbs, se restaurer (to refresh/restore oneself) is a more formal way to talk about eating, while grignoter means to snack or nibble. If you are skipping breakfast, the verb is sauter (to jump/skip): J'ai sauté le petit-déjeuner ce matin. Understanding these nuances helps you describe your morning routine with much greater precision.
How Formal Is It?
Schwierigkeitsgrad
Wichtige Grammatik
Partitive articles (du, de la)
Compound nouns pluralization
Verb 'prendre' conjugation
Time expressions with 'à'
Adjective placement
Beispiele nach Niveau
Je mange le petit-déjeuner.
I eat breakfast.
Uses the definite article 'le'.
Le petit-déjeuner est à huit heures.
Breakfast is at eight o'clock.
Time expression with 'à'.
Tu aimes le petit-déjeuner ?
Do you like breakfast?
Question form with 'tu'.
C'est un bon petit-déjeuner.
It is a good breakfast.
Adjective 'bon' comes before the noun.
Il y a du café pour le petit-déjeuner.
There is coffee for breakfast.
Partitive article 'du'.
Ma mère prépare le petit-déjeuner.
My mother prepares breakfast.
Subject-Verb-Object.
Je veux un petit-déjeuner français.
I want a French breakfast.
Adjective 'français' follows the noun.
Où est le petit-déjeuner ?
Where is the breakfast?
Interrogative 'où'.
Je prends mon petit-déjeuner dans la cuisine.
I take my breakfast in the kitchen.
Use of 'prendre' instead of 'manger'.
Nous petit-déjeunons ensemble le dimanche.
We have breakfast together on Sundays.
Using 'petit-déjeuner' as a verb.
Voulez-vous un petit-déjeuner copieux ?
Do you want a hearty breakfast?
Adjective 'copieux'.
Je ne saute jamais le petit-déjeuner.
I never skip breakfast.
Negation 'ne... jamais'.
Le petit-déjeuner est inclus dans le prix.
Breakfast is included in the price.
Passive construction 'est inclus'.
Elle prend son petit-déjeuner très tôt.
She has her breakfast very early.
Adverbial phrase 'très tôt'.
Qu'est-ce que tu prends au petit-déjeuner ?
What do you have for breakfast?
Use of 'au' (à + le).
Je préfère le petit-déjeuner sucré.
I prefer a sweet breakfast.
Verb 'préférer'.
En France, le petit-déjeuner est souvent léger.
In France, breakfast is often light.
Adverb 'souvent'.
Il a fini de prendre son petit-déjeuner avant de partir.
He finished having breakfast before leaving.
Infinitive construction 'de prendre'.
Pendant le petit-déjeuner, je lis le journal.
During breakfast, I read the newspaper.
Preposition 'pendant'.
Si j'avais le temps, je préparerais un grand petit-déjeuner.
If I had time, I would prepare a big breakfast.
Conditional mood.
Le petit-déjeuner continental est typique des hôtels.
The continental breakfast is typical of hotels.
Adjective 'typique'.
Je me demande ce qu'ils mangent au petit-déjeuner au Japon.
I wonder what they eat for breakfast in Japan.
Indirect question.
Après avoir pris mon petit-déjeuner, je me sens en forme.
After having had my breakfast, I feel fit.
Past infinitive 'après avoir pris'.
C'est un petit-déjeuner équilibré avec des fruits et des céréales.
It's a balanced breakfast with fruit and cereal.
Preposition 'avec'.
Le petit-déjeuner joue un rôle crucial dans la concentration.
Breakfast plays a crucial role in concentration.
Abstract usage.
Bien que je n'aie pas faim, je prends un petit-déjeuner.
Although I'm not hungry, I have breakfast.
Subjunctive mood after 'bien que'.
Les nutritionnistes recommandent un petit-déjeuner riche en protéines.
Nutritionists recommend a breakfast rich in protein.
Adjective phrase 'riche en'.
Le rituel du petit-déjeuner varie d'une culture à l'autre.
The breakfast ritual varies from one culture to another.
Verb 'varier'.
Il est rare que nous prenions le petit-déjeuner au lit.
It is rare that we have breakfast in bed.
Subjunctive 'prenions'.
Le petit-déjeuner d'affaires est devenu une pratique courante.
The business breakfast has become a common practice.
Compound noun.
On ne peut pas nier l'importance du petit-déjeuner.
One cannot deny the importance of breakfast.
Negative 'ne peut pas'.
Ce café propose des formules petit-déjeuner à prix réduit.
This cafe offers breakfast deals at a reduced price.
Noun as adjective 'formules petit-déjeuner'.
L'évolution sémantique du mot 'petit-déjeuner' est liée aux horaires de travail.
The semantic evolution of the word 'breakfast' is linked to work schedules.
Academic register.
S'attabler pour le petit-déjeuner est un moment de convivialité.
Sitting down for breakfast is a moment of conviviality.
Literary verb 's'attabler'.
Le petit-déjeuner s'est transformé au fil des siècles.
Breakfast has transformed over the centuries.
Reflexive verb 'se transformer'.
Malgré les recommandations, de nombreux adolescents boudent le petit-déjeuner.
Despite recommendations, many teenagers shun breakfast.
Idiomatic verb 'bouder'.
Le petit-déjeuner à la française privilégie les glucides complexes.
French-style breakfast favors complex carbohydrates.
Adverbial phrase 'à la française'.
On assiste à une recrudescence du petit-déjeuner salé en milieu urbain.
We are seeing a resurgence of savory breakfasts in urban areas.
Formal noun 'recrudescence'.
Le petit-déjeuner demeure le parent pauvre des études nutritionnelles.
Breakfast remains the 'poor relation' (neglected part) of nutritional studies.
Idiomatic expression 'parent pauvre'.
Quiconque a goûté à un petit-déjeuner breton se souvient du beurre salé.
Anyone who has tasted a Breton breakfast remembers the salted butter.
Relative pronoun 'quiconque'.
L'ontologie du petit-déjeuner réside dans sa fonction de rupture du jeûne nocturne.
The ontology of breakfast lies in its function of breaking the nocturnal fast.
Philosophical register.
Le petit-déjeuner, tel un prélude à la symphonie de la journée, se doit d'être soigné.
Breakfast, like a prelude to the symphony of the day, must be carefully prepared.
Metaphorical language.
L'hégémonie du petit-déjeuner sucré en France est remise en question par les nouvelles tendances.
The hegemony of the sweet breakfast in France is being questioned by new trends.
Complex noun phrase.
Il y a une dimension quasi sacrée dans le silence qui entoure le petit-déjeuner dominical.
There is an almost sacred dimension to the silence surrounding Sunday breakfast.
Adjective 'quasi sacrée'.
Le petit-déjeuner est le miroir des disparités socio-économiques au sein de la population.
Breakfast is the mirror of socio-economic disparities within the population.
Sociological analysis.
Aborder la question du petit-déjeuner sous l'angle de l'anthropologie culinaire est passionnant.
Approaching the question of breakfast from the perspective of culinary anthropology is fascinating.
Infinitive as subject.
La déstructuration du petit-déjeuner traditionnel témoigne d'une accélération du temps social.
The destructuring of the traditional breakfast bears witness to an acceleration of social time.
Abstract concept 'accélération du temps social'.
Le petit-déjeuner, par sa simplicité apparente, cache une complexité de saveurs et de textures.
Breakfast, through its apparent simplicity, hides a complexity of flavors and textures.
Apposition.
Synonyme
Gegenteile
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
Leicht verwechselbar
Satzmuster
Wortfamilie
Verwandt
So verwendest du es
Be careful in Montreal or Brussels where 'déjeuner' is breakfast.
The noun has a hyphen, the verb usually doesn't.
- Using 'avoir' instead of 'prendre'.
- Forgetting the hyphen in writing.
- Using 'la' instead of 'le'.
- Confusing it with 'déjeuner' (lunch) in France.
- Not pluralizing both words.
Tipps
Use 'Prendre'
Always use 'prendre' instead of 'avoir' for having breakfast. It's the most natural way to express the action.
The Bowl
Don't be surprised to see coffee served in a bowl. It's for dipping your tartines!
The Hyphen
Remember the hyphen in writing. It distinguishes the meal from a 'small lunch'.
Know Your Region
If you are in Belgium or Quebec, use 'déjeuner' to avoid confusion.
Tartines
Learn the word 'tartine'. It's more specific than 'pain' for breakfast.
Silent T
The 't' at the end of 'petit' is silent in this compound noun.
Business Breakfasts
In France, these are common but usually informal and standing up.
Balanced Meal
Use the adjective 'équilibré' to describe a healthy breakfast.
P'tit Déj
Use this with friends to sound more like a native speaker.
Inclus
Always check if the petit-déjeuner is 'inclus' (included) in your room rate.
Einprägen
Wortherkunft
Compound of 'petit' (small) and 'déjeuner' (to break the fast).
Kultureller Kontext
Baguette, beurre salé, confiture, café au lait.
Standard 'petit-déjeuner' for breakfast.
They use 'déjeuner' for breakfast.
They also use 'déjeuner' for breakfast.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Gesprächseinstiege
"Qu'est-ce que tu manges d'habitude au petit-déjeuner ?"
"Tu préfères le petit-déjeuner sucré ou salé ?"
"À quelle heure prends-tu ton petit-déjeuner ?"
"Quel est ton petit-déjeuner idéal ?"
"Est-ce que tu sautes souvent le petit-déjeuner ?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
Décrivez votre petit-déjeuner de ce matin.
Pourquoi le petit-déjeuner est-il important pour vous ?
Comparez le petit-déjeuner dans votre pays et en France.
Racontez un souvenir d'un petit-déjeuner spécial.
Imaginez le petit-déjeuner parfait dans un hôtel de luxe.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt is a masculine noun. You say 'le petit-déjeuner' or 'un petit-déjeuner'.
Yes, in the noun form 'petit-déjeuner', a hyphen is required between the two words.
Yes, it is grammatically correct, but 'prendre le petit-déjeuner' is much more common and natural.
Both parts take an 's': 'les petits-déjeuners'.
It is a common informal abbreviation used in spoken French.
Yes, in Quebec, breakfast is usually called 'le déjeuner'.
In France, it usually means coffee, juice, and bread or pastries with butter and jam.
Yes, 'petit-déjeuner' is a regular -er verb meaning 'to have breakfast'.
Usually coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, often served in a bowl.
While common in busy cities, health experts in France still recommend it as the most important meal.
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Summary
The 'petit-déjeuner' is more than just a meal; it is a cultural ritual. Remember to use the masculine 'le', the verb 'prendre', and include the hyphen in writing. Be aware that in Quebec and Belgium, 'déjeuner' is the word used for breakfast.
- Petit-déjeuner is the French word for breakfast, a masculine noun always used with a hyphen.
- The most common verb used with it is 'prendre' (to take/have), not 'manger'.
- In France, it is typically light (bread, pastries, coffee), but terminology varies in other Francophone regions.
- It is a key part of daily routine and cultural identity in the French-speaking world.
Use 'Prendre'
Always use 'prendre' instead of 'avoir' for having breakfast. It's the most natural way to express the action.
The Bowl
Don't be surprised to see coffee served in a bowl. It's for dipping your tartines!
The Hyphen
Remember the hyphen in writing. It distinguishes the meal from a 'small lunch'.
Know Your Region
If you are in Belgium or Quebec, use 'déjeuner' to avoid confusion.
Beispiel
Le petit-déjeuner est servi de 7h à 10h.
Verwandte Inhalte
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à pied
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à quel prix
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