This page in your language
فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A1 noun #1,500 most common 9 min read

repas

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips repas in 30 Seconds
Explanation repas in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'repas' is one of the first nouns you learn in the context of daily life and food. You should focus on identifying the three main meals of the day: le petit-déjeuner, le déjeuner, and le dîner. At this stage, you use 'repas' to describe simple actions like 'I eat a meal' (Je prends un repas) or 'The meal is good' (Le repas est bon). You learn that it is a masculine noun and that the 's' at the end is always present but never pronounced. You might use it in basic restaurant roleplays to ask for the price of a meal or to say you are hungry. The focus is on survival vocabulary and basic sentence structures. You will learn to pair it with simple adjectives like 'bon' (good), 'mauvais' (bad), 'chaud' (hot), or 'froid' (cold). Understanding that 'repas' refers to the whole event of eating is key to building a foundation for more complex food-related vocabulary later on.
At the A2 level, you begin to use 'repas' to describe your daily routine and habits in more detail. You can talk about what time you have your meals (À quelle heure est le repas ?) and what you usually eat. You start using more descriptive adjectives like 'copieux' (hearty) or 'léger' (light). You also learn to use 'repas' with prepositions to indicate time, such as 'avant le repas' (before the meal) or 'après le repas' (after the meal). In a social context, you can invite someone to a meal (Tu veux venir pour le repas ?) or describe a meal you had in the past using the passé composé. You also become aware of the cultural importance of the meal in France, such as the fact that it is a time for talking with family. You might also encounter the word in the context of school (la cantine) or work (le déjeuner au bureau). Your ability to use 'repas' in longer sentences and with more varied verbs like 'préparer' or 'partager' develops at this stage.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the B1 level, you move beyond simple descriptions and start discussing the social and health aspects of 'repas'. You can talk about the importance of 'repas équilibrés' (balanced meals) and express opinions on food quality or dining habits. You understand more complex expressions like 'sauter un repas' (to skip a meal) or 'faire un repas de fête' (to have a festive meal). You can describe the sequence of a traditional French meal (entrée, plat, dessert) and use 'repas' in the context of professional life, such as 'un repas d'affaires'. You are also able to handle more nuanced situations, like explaining dietary restrictions during a meal or discussing the differences between meal cultures in different countries. Your vocabulary expands to include synonyms like 'collation' or 'casse-croûte' and you know when to use them instead of 'repas'. You can also use 'repas' in more complex grammatical structures, such as using it as the subject of a passive sentence or in relative clauses.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the B2 level, you use 'repas' to engage in deeper cultural and social analysis. You can discuss the 'repas gastronomique des Français' as a piece of cultural heritage and debate its relevance in modern, fast-paced society. You understand the register of the word and can switch between formal and informal synonyms depending on the context (e.g., using 'bouffe' in a very casual setting vs. 'repas' in a standard one). You are familiar with idiomatic expressions involving 'repas' and can use them naturally in conversation. You can write detailed reviews of meals, focusing on the atmosphere, the service, and the composition of the dishes. You also understand the historical evolution of the 'repas' in France and can discuss how it reflects changes in French society. Your use of 'repas' is fluid, and you can use it in abstract or metaphorical ways, such as discussing the 'repas' as a symbol of unity or conflict in a film or book.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C1 level, your understanding of 'repas' reaches a near-native level of nuance. You can appreciate the literary and philosophical dimensions of the word. You might analyze how a 'repas' is used as a narrative device in French literature to reveal character traits or social hierarchies. You are comfortable with archaic or highly formal terms related to meals, such as 'agape' or 'pitance', and can use them for stylistic effect. You can lead discussions on complex topics like the ethics of food production in relation to daily 'repas' or the impact of globalization on traditional meal structures. You understand the subtle differences in meal terminology across the Francophone world (e.g., Quebec, Belgium, Switzerland, West Africa). Your ability to use 'repas' in sophisticated rhetorical structures is well-developed, and you can use it to make subtle points about culture, class, and identity.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'repas' and all its linguistic and cultural permutations. You can discuss the etymology of the word in depth, tracing its journey from Latin to modern French. You are capable of writing academic or professional critiques of culinary traditions, using 'repas' as a central concept in sociological or anthropological frameworks. You can understand and produce complex puns or wordplay involving 'repas' and related terms. You are sensitive to the most subtle shifts in meaning that occur when 'repas' is used in different regional dialects or historical registers. You can effortlessly navigate the most formal diplomatic dinners or the most casual street-food settings, using the appropriate language for each. For you, 'repas' is not just a word, but a complex signifier of French civilization that you can manipulate with precision and creativity in any context, whether written or spoken.
Sign up free to read full explanation
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

repas in 30 Seconds

  • A masculine noun meaning 'meal' in English.
  • Always spelled with an 's' (un repas, des repas).
  • Refers to both the food and the social occasion.
  • Central to French culture and daily routine.

The term repas is a fundamental masculine noun in the French language, representing far more than the mere act of consuming calories. At its core, it translates to 'meal' in English, but in the context of French culture, it signifies a structured social ritual, a moment of pause, and a cornerstone of the art de vivre. Whether it is a quick breakfast or a seven-course banquet, the word encompasses the food, the time taken to eat it, and the gathering itself. Unlike the English word 'meal' which can sometimes feel functional, 'repas' often carries a connotation of conviviality and order.

Etymological Root
Derived from the Vulgar Latin re-pascere, meaning 'to feed again' or 'to nourish repeatedly,' highlighting the cyclical nature of daily sustenance.
Grammatical Note
The word ends in an 's' in its singular form (un repas) and remains unchanged in the plural (des repas), making it an invariable noun regarding spelling.

Le repas est servi sur la grande table de la salle à manger.

In a broader sense, 'repas' refers to the specific times of day when food is consumed: le petit-déjeuner (breakfast), le déjeuner (lunch), and le dîner (dinner). In some regions, you might also hear le souper. The French 'repas gastronomique' is so significant that it was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010. This highlights that a 'repas' is not just about the plate, but about the selection of dishes, the pairing with wine, and the conversation that flows between participants.

Après un bon repas, on se sent souvent plus détendu.

Common Adjectives
Un repas copieux (hearty), un repas léger (light), un repas équilibré (balanced).

Historically, the timing and composition of the French repas have shifted. In the 19th century, the 'déjeuner' was much later in the day. Today, the structure usually follows a strict pattern: entrée, plat principal, fromage, et dessert. This sequence is what defines the 'repas' in a formal or traditional setting. When a French person invites you for a 'repas', they are inviting you for an experience that lasts at least an hour, often much longer.

Il est important de ne pas sauter de repas pour rester en bonne santé.

Nous avons partagé un repas mémorable au bord de la mer.

Cultural Significance
In France, the 'repas de famille' (family meal) is a sacred Sunday tradition that can last for several hours.

Chaque repas est une occasion de discuter et de rire.

Using the word repas correctly involves understanding its role as a countable noun and its specific collocations. Because it ends in 's', beginners often mistake it for a plural noun, but it is singular in 'un repas'. When using it in a sentence, you will most frequently pair it with the verbs prendre (to take/have), préparer (to prepare), or servir (to serve).

Verb Pairings
Prendre un repas: To eat a meal. Sauter un repas: To skip a meal. Partager un repas: To share a meal.

Je préfère prendre mon repas dans le calme de mon jardin.

In terms of syntax, 'repas' is often followed by a prepositional phrase to describe its purpose or timing. For example, un repas d'affaires (a business meal) or un repas de fête (a holiday meal). Note that when describing the contents of the meal, we use 'de' or 'à base de', such as 'un repas de poissons'.

Nous organisons un repas de Noël pour tous les employés.

Adjective Placement
Adjectives usually follow 'repas': un repas délicieux, un repas froid, un repas chaud.

For advanced learners, 'repas' can be used in more abstract ways. For instance, 'le repas des fauves' (the feeding of the wild beasts) is a common idiomatic expression used to describe a chaotic or messy group of people eating, often children. You might also encounter 'repas de noces' specifically for wedding feasts.

C'était un repas frugal, composé uniquement de pain et de fromage.

Voulez-vous rester pour le repas ?

Quantity Expressions
Use 'pendant le repas' (during the meal) or 'entre les repas' (between meals).

Il ne faut pas grignoter entre les repas.

The word repas is ubiquitous in French daily life. You will hear it in domestic settings, professional environments, and throughout the media. In a typical French home, the question 'Qu'est-ce qu'on mange pour le repas ?' is a daily refrain. It is also a key term in the hospitality industry.

In Restaurants
Waiters might ask, 'Le repas vous a-t-il plu ?' (Did you enjoy the meal?) or mention 'le repas du jour'.

Le serveur nous a apporté la carte pour le repas du soir.

In the workplace, the 'repas d'affaires' is a critical component of French business culture. Unlike in some cultures where business is strictly conducted in an office, in France, many deals are sealed over a 'repas'. You will also hear about 'tickets-repas' or 'titres-restaurant', which are vouchers provided by employers to help employees pay for their lunch.

À la télévision, ils ont montré comment préparer un repas de fête à petit prix.

In Schools
Children talk about 'la cantine' where they take their 'repas de midi'. French school meals are famous for being multi-course and balanced.

Medical and nutritional contexts also frequently use the word. Doctors might advise taking medication 'au milieu du repas' (in the middle of the meal) or 'en dehors des repas' (outside of meal times). Nutritionists will talk about the importance of 'trois repas par jour' (three meals a day) to maintain a healthy metabolism.

Le médecin m'a conseillé de faire des repas plus légers le soir.

Dans ce roman, le repas de famille tourne à la dispute.

Travel & Tourism
Travel brochures often specify 'repas compris' (meals included) or 'repas non inclus'.

Le prix du billet d'avion inclut un repas chaud et des boissons.

Despite its simple appearance, repas presents several pitfalls for learners. The most frequent error is related to its spelling and number. Because the word ends in 's', many students assume it is plural and use plural articles or verb agreements when they mean a single meal.

The 'S' Trap
Incorrect: *J'ai mangé un repa. Correct: J'ai mangé un repas. The 's' is part of the root, not a plural marker.

Même pour un seul repas, on met toujours un 's' à la fin.

Another common mistake is confusing 'repas' with 'nourriture' (food) or 'plat' (dish). While they are related, they are not interchangeable. 'Un plat' is a single item of food (like a plate of pasta), whereas 'un repas' is the whole event which might consist of several 'plats'. 'Nourriture' is the general substance.

Ne confondez pas le repas (l'événement) avec le plat (ce qui est dans l'assiette).

Gender Confusion
Learners sometimes think 'repas' is feminine because many words ending in 's' or 'e' are. It is strictly masculine: le repas, un repas.

Pronunciation is another area where mistakes occur. The final 's' in 'repas' is silent. Some learners try to pronounce it, especially when they see it in the plural, but it remains [ʁə.pa] in both singular and plural contexts. The only time you might hear a 'z' sound is in a liaison, though it is rare with this word.

On ne prononce jamais le 's' final du mot repas.

Il a oublié de payer son repas au restaurant.

Preposition Errors
Use 'pendant le repas' for 'during the meal', not 'durant de'. Use 'à la fin du repas' for 'at the end of the meal'.

Nous avons discuté de politique pendant tout le repas.

To truly master the vocabulary of dining, it is helpful to compare repas with its synonyms and related terms. While 'repas' is the general term, other words offer more specific nuances regarding the size, quality, or context of the eating event.

Repas vs. Festin
A 'repas' is any meal. A festin is a feast—a very large, elaborate, and celebratory meal, often with many guests.
Repas vs. Collation
A collation is a light meal or snack, often taken between the main 'repas'. It is less formal and smaller in scale.
Repas vs. Banquet
A banquet is a formal 'repas' organized for a specific ceremony or in honor of someone, usually involving many people.

Ce n'était pas un simple repas, c'était un véritable festin !

In casual settings, you might hear the word bouffe (slang for food/meal) or casse-croûte (a quick snack or sandwich). While 'repas' is appropriate in all settings, 'bouffe' should only be used with friends. Another interesting term is gueuleton, which is an old-fashioned, colloquial word for a hearty, enjoyable meal among friends.

Pour le repas de midi, j'ai juste pris un petit casse-croûte.

Repas vs. Dîner/Déjeuner
'Repas' is the category; 'dîner' and 'déjeuner' are the specific instances. You have a 'repas' which is a 'dîner'.

Le repas du soir est le moment où toute la famille se retrouve.

Après la randonnée, nous avons savouré un repas bien mérité.

Formal vs. Informal
Use 'repas' for general use, 'festin' for luxury, and 'collation' for light bites.

Il est impoli de quitter le repas avant que tout le monde ait fini.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Masculine noun agreement

Invariable nouns ending in 's'

Partitive articles with food

Prepositions of time (pendant, avant, après)

Adjective placement after nouns

Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

C'est un bon repas.

It is a good meal.

Note the use of 'un' (masculine) with 'repas'.

2

Je prends mon repas à midi.

I have my meal at noon.

The verb 'prendre' is commonly used with 'repas'.

3

Le repas est fini.

The meal is finished.

Singular agreement with 'est'.

4

Tu aimes ce repas ?

Do you like this meal?

Use 'ce' (masculine demonstrative adjective) with 'repas'.

5

Nous préparons un repas.

We are preparing a meal.

Present tense of 'préparer'.

6

Un repas chaud est important.

A hot meal is important.

Adjective 'chaud' follows the noun 'repas'.

7

Où est mon repas ?

Where is my meal?

Possessive adjective 'mon' is masculine.

8

Voici le repas de Marie.

Here is Marie's meal.

Use 'de' to show possession.

1

J'ai mangé un repas léger ce soir.

I ate a light meal tonight.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

2

Il ne faut pas sauter de repas.

One must not skip meals.

The expression 'sauter de repas' uses 'de' after a negation.

3

Quel est votre repas préféré ?

What is your favorite meal?

Interrogative adjective 'quel' matches the masculine 'repas'.

4

Nous avons partagé un repas en famille.

We shared a meal as a family.

Prepositional phrase 'en famille' adds context.

5

Le repas coûte vingt euros.

The meal costs twenty euros.

Standard sentence for restaurant contexts.

6

Elle prépare le repas pour ses amis.

She is preparing the meal for her friends.

Preposition 'pour' indicates the beneficiary.

7

Après le repas, nous allons marcher.

After the meal, we are going for a walk.

Temporal preposition 'après'.

8

C'est un repas typique de la région.

It is a typical meal of the region.

Adjective 'typique' describes the nature of the meal.

1

Il est essentiel de prendre trois repas équilibrés par jour.

It is essential to have three balanced meals a day.

Use of 'par jour' for frequency.

2

Pendant le repas, nous avons discuté de nos vacances.

During the meal, we discussed our holidays.

'Pendant' indicates duration.

3

Le repas d'affaires a duré plus de deux heures.

The business meal lasted more than two hours.

Compound noun 'repas d'affaires'.

4

J'ai oublié de prendre mes médicaments au milieu du repas.

I forgot to take my medicine in the middle of the meal.

Locution 'au milieu de'.

5

Le service était lent, mais le repas était délicieux.

The service was slow, but the meal was delicious.

Contrast using 'mais'.

6

C'est un repas qui demande beaucoup de préparation.

It is a meal that requires a lot of preparation.

Relative clause starting with 'qui'.

7

Nous avons été invités à un repas de noces.

We were invited to a wedding feast.

Passive voice 'avons été invités'.

8

Il ne faut pas grignoter entre les repas.

One should not snack between meals.

Preposition 'entre' used with plural 'les repas'.

1

Le repas gastronomique français est classé au patrimoine de l'UNESCO.

The French gastronomic meal is classified as UNESCO heritage.

Formal adjective 'gastronomique'.

2

Malgré un repas copieux, il avait encore faim.

Despite a hearty meal, he was still hungry.

Concession with 'malgré'.

3

Le chef a conçu un repas inspiré par ses voyages en Asie.

The chef designed a meal inspired by his travels in Asia.

Past participle 'inspiré' agreeing with 'repas'.

4

Le repas s'est déroulé dans une ambiance très tendue.

The meal took place in a very tense atmosphere.

Pronominal verb 'se dérouler'.

5

Il a critiqué la qualité du repas servi lors de la conférence.

He criticized the quality of the meal served during the conference.

Use of 'lors de' for 'during/at the time of'.

6

Un repas frugal suffit parfois à combler les besoins du corps.

A frugal meal is sometimes enough to meet the body's needs.

Adjective 'frugal' meaning simple/sparing.

7

Elle a passé toute la journée à préparer ce repas exceptionnel.

She spent the whole day preparing this exceptional meal.

Duration expressed with 'passer toute la journée à'.

8

Le repas de fête a été le point culminant de la soirée.

The holiday meal was the highlight of the evening.

Metaphorical use of 'point culminant'.

1

Le repas, au-delà de sa fonction nutritive, est un vecteur de cohésion sociale.

The meal, beyond its nutritional function, is a vector of social cohesion.

Sophisticated phrasing with 'au-delà de' and 'vecteur'.

2

L'auteur utilise le repas comme une métaphore de la déchéance de la bourgeoisie.

The author uses the meal as a metaphor for the decline of the bourgeoisie.

Literary analysis context.

3

Il est d'usage de ne pas aborder de sujets polémiques lors d'un repas de gala.

It is customary not to broach controversial subjects during a gala meal.

Impersonal construction 'Il est d'usage de'.

4

La mise en scène du repas dans ce film souligne l'isolement du protagoniste.

The staging of the meal in this film highlights the protagonist's isolation.

Cinematic/Artistic terminology.

5

Ce repas pantagruélique a mis à rude épreuve l'estomac des convives.

This Pantagruelian meal put the guests' stomachs to a severe test.

Literary adjective 'pantagruélique' (referring to Rabelais).

6

L'étiquette entourant le repas varie considérablement d'une culture à l'autre.

The etiquette surrounding the meal varies considerably from one culture to another.

Abstract noun 'étiquette'.

7

Le repas fut servi avec une pompe digne d'un monarque.

The meal was served with a pomp worthy of a monarch.

Passé simple 'fut' and formal noun 'pompe'.

8

On ne saurait sous-estimer l'importance symbolique du repas partagé.

One cannot underestimate the symbolic importance of the shared meal.

Formal 'on ne saurait' (one cannot).

1

La ritualisation du repas participe à la sédimentation des traditions familiales.

The ritualization of the meal contributes to the sedimentation of family traditions.

Academic vocabulary: 'ritualisation', 'sédimentation'.

2

Le repas s'érige ici en véritable sacrement laïc de la convivialité républicaine.

The meal stands here as a true secular sacrament of republican conviviality.

Philosophical/Political register.

3

L'ordonnance du repas répond à des codes séculaires dont nous avons perdu le sens.

The arrangement of the meal responds to centuries-old codes whose meaning we have lost.

Formal 'ordonnance' and 'séculaire'.

4

Sublimé par le talent du chef, le simple repas se transforme en expérience synesthésique.

Sublimated by the chef's talent, the simple meal transforms into a synesthetic experience.

High-level vocabulary: 'sublimé', 'synesthésique'.

5

Le repas devient le théâtre d'une joute verbale où se jouent des destins politiques.

The meal becomes the theater of a verbal joust where political destinies are at stake.

Metaphorical 'théâtre' and 'joute verbale'.

6

Il y a dans la lenteur du repas français une résistance à l'immédiateté du monde moderne.

There is in the slowness of the French meal a resistance to the immediacy of the modern world.

Sociological observation.

7

L'apogée du repas fut atteint lors du service des vins millésimés.

The climax of the meal was reached during the service of the vintage wines.

Formal 'apogée' and 'millésimé'.

8

Chaque repas est une itération d'un mythe collectif liant l'homme à sa terre.

Each meal is an iteration of a collective myth linking man to his land.

Anthropological register.

Common Collocations

repas copieux
repas léger
repas équilibré
repas d'affaires
repas de fête
prendre un repas
sauter un repas
préparer un repas
servir un repas
pendant le repas

Common Phrases

Bon repas !
À table pour le repas !
Entre les repas
En cours de repas
Le repas est servi
Un repas sur le pouce
Faire un bon repas
Le repas du soir
Tickets-repas
Repas de famille

Often Confused With

repas vs repos (rest)

repas vs repas (past tense of nothing, but looks like it)

repas vs repas (plural of nothing)

Idioms & Expressions

"Le repas des fauves"
"C'est un repas de noces"
"S'inviter au repas"
"Rendre un repas"
"Faire ses quatre repas"
"Le dernier repas"
"Un repas de roi"
"Un repas de funérailles"
"Perdre le repas"
"Mettre les petits plats dans les grands pour un repas"

Easily Confused

repas vs

repas vs

repas vs

repas vs

repas vs

Sentence Patterns

Word Family

Related

repaître
pâture
pâtisserie
pastoral
Sign up free to see all examples

How to Use It

vs nourriture

Repas is the event, nourriture is the stuff.

singular plural

Spelling is identical.

Common Mistakes
  • Writing 'un repa' without the 's'.
  • Pronouncing the final 's'.
  • Using 'la repas' (it's masculine).
  • Using 'repas' to mean a single dish (use 'plat').
  • Thinking 'des repas' needs an extra 's' (it's invariable).

Tips

The Silent S

Always write the 's', never say it. It's like the 's' in 'debris'.

Take Your Time

A French meal is rarely rushed. Expect to spend at least an hour at the table.

Meal vs Food

Use 'repas' for the event and 'nourriture' for the food itself.

Prendre vs Manger

Use 'prendre' for a more sophisticated way of saying you're having a meal.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'repas' is masculine, make sure your adjectives are too (e.g., 'bon', not 'bonne').

Invitations

If someone invites you for a 'repas', it usually means lunch or dinner.

Hands on Table

During a French meal, keep your hands visible on the table, not in your lap.

Balanced Meals

A 'repas équilibré' is a key concept in French health education.

Business Dining

Deals are often made during the 'repas d'affaires', not before.

Regional Names

Be aware that meal names can change in Belgium, Switzerland, and Quebec.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Latin

Cultural Context

Dinner is usually later than in the US, around 19:30 or 20:00.

Inscribed in 2010 as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Keep hands on the table, not in the lap.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"Quel est ton repas préféré ?"

"À quelle heure prends-tu ton repas du soir ?"

"Tu préfères un repas chaud ou froid ?"

"Qui prépare le repas chez toi ?"

"Quel était le meilleur repas de ta vie ?"

Journal Prompts

Décris ton repas idéal.

Qu'est-ce que tu as mangé pour ton dernier repas ?

Pourquoi le repas est-il important pour toi ?

Décris un repas de fête dans ton pays.

Est-ce que tu préfères manger seul ou partager un repas ?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it is singular in 'un repas'. The 's' is part of the word itself.

Le petit-déjeuner. It is a type of repas.

No, the 's' is silent.

Yes, but 'prendre un repas' is more common and natural.

A business meal where professional matters are discussed.

It is 'le' repas (masculine).

It means to skip a meal.

Entre les repas.

Usually no, 'goûter' or 'collation' is used for snacks.

A very simple and small meal.

Sign up free for tips & notes

Test Yourself 30 questions

writing

Write a sentence about your favorite meal.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Describe a meal you had yesterday.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say: 'Je prends un repas.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write: 'Un bon repas.'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

/ 30 correct

Perfect score!

Sign up free to practice

Related Content

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!