§ What 'pause-déjeuner' means
- French Word
- pause-déjeuner
- Type
- Noun (feminine)
- CEFR Level
- A2
- Definition
- Lunch break.
The French term pause-déjeuner literally translates to "lunch break." It's a common and essential phrase you'll hear and use daily in French-speaking countries. Think of it as your designated time to stop working, eat, and recharge.
§ How to use 'pause-déjeuner' in sentences
Using pause-déjeuner is straightforward. It generally functions like "lunch break" in English. Here are some common ways you'll encounter it:
- To ask about or state when the lunch break is.
- To say you are going on a lunch break.
- To describe activities during a lunch break.
Quand est la pause-déjeuner aujourd'hui?
- Translation hint
- When is the lunch break today?
Je vais prendre ma pause-déjeuner maintenant.
- Translation hint
- I'm going to take my lunch break now.
Pendant la pause-déjeuner, je lis un livre.
- Translation hint
- During the lunch break, I read a book.
§ Prepositions with 'pause-déjeuner'
The most common prepositions you'll see with pause-déjeuner are:
- Pendant: This means "during." You'll use it to describe what happens within the lunch break.
- À: This means "at." You'll use it to specify the start time of the lunch break.
- Après: This means "after." Use it when talking about something that happens once the lunch break is over.
Nous allons déjeuner ensemble pendant la pause-déjeuner.
- Translation hint
- We are going to have lunch together during the lunch break.
La pause-déjeuner est à midi.
- Translation hint
- The lunch break is at noon.
On se retrouve après la pause-déjeuner.
- Translation hint
- We'll meet after the lunch break.
Examples by Level
Pendant ma pause-déjeuner, j'en profite souvent pour faire quelques courses rapides en ville.
During my lunch break, I often take the opportunity to run a few quick errands in town.
Nous avons convenu de discuter de ce projet complexe après la pause-déjeuner, lorsque nous serons tous plus reposés.
We agreed to discuss this complex project after the lunch break, when we are all more rested.
La pause-déjeuner est un moment idéal pour décompresser et recharger les batteries avant l'après-midi de travail.
The lunch break is an ideal time to decompress and recharge before the afternoon work.
Il a l'habitude de prolonger sa pause-déjeuner d'une quinzaine de minutes, ce qui agace un peu ses collègues.
He usually extends his lunch break by about fifteen minutes, which annoys his colleagues a little.
Beaucoup d'entreprises encouragent leurs employés à prendre une vraie pause-déjeuner pour améliorer la productivité.
Many companies encourage their employees to take a real lunch break to improve productivity.
La qualité de la pause-déjeuner peut vraiment influencer le moral et la concentration de chacun.
The quality of the lunch break can really influence everyone's mood and concentration.
Ce midi, je vais déjeuner avec un client important pendant ma pause-déjeuner, il faut que je prépare bien notre entretien.
This lunchtime, I'm having lunch with an important client during my lunch break; I need to prepare our meeting well.
Le chef de projet a annoncé qu'il y aurait une réunion flash juste avant la pause-déjeuner pour discuter des urgences.
The project manager announced that there would be a quick meeting just before the lunch break to discuss urgent matters.
Related Content
More work words
à distance
A2Remotely, from a distance; not in person or on site.
à durée déterminée
B1For a fixed or definite period; fixed-term.
à durée indéterminée
B1For an indefinite period; permanent (e.g., contract).
à la fin
A2At the end, at the conclusion of something.
à la journée
B1Daily, by the day.
à la semaine
B1Weekly, by the week.
à l'année
B1Annually, by the year.
à l'attention de
B1Directed to; for the attention of.
à l'avance
A2In advance; beforehand.
à l'issue de
A2At the end of, following; upon the conclusion of.
