Planning a midday meal in France? The word you'll probably use most is déjeuner. But the French, with their love for food and linguistic precision, have more than one way to talk about their midday meal.

Depending on whether it's a quick bite, a formal affair, or just a casual get-together, the term for 'lunch' can change. Learning these variations will not only expand your vocabulary but also help you sound more like a native speaker.

Let's dig into 9 different ways to say 'lunch' in French!

The standard 'lunch' – Le déjeuner

Le déjeuner is the most common and standard word for "lunch" in France. It refers to the midday meal, which holds significant cultural importance.

The noun le déjeuner (the lunch) is directly related to the regular -er verb déjeuner (to have lunch). To use it in a sentence, you simply conjugate it like any other -er verb: Je déjeune (I am having lunch), Nous déjeunons (We are having lunch).

Unlike a quick sandwich at a desk, the traditional French déjeuner is often a substantial, sit-down meal. It's typically eaten between 12 PM and 2 PM, and many businesses close for a one- to two-hour lunch break to accommodate this important daily ritual.

A critical point for learners is to not confuse le déjeuner with le petit-déjeuner. The word petit (small) is the key differentiator. Le petit-déjeuner is always breakfast, while le déjeuner is always lunch in metropolitan France.

Be aware that while le déjeuner means lunch throughout France, in some other French-speaking regions (like Belgium, Switzerland, and Quebec), it can mean "breakfast". In those places, the midday meal is often called le dîner. This is a useful distinction to know when traveling.

💡 * Je déjeune avec mes collègues à midi.

Le déjeuner est le repas le plus important de la journée pour beaucoup de Français.

Qu'est-ce que tu veux pour le déjeuner ?

N'oublie pas, le déjeuner est à 13h précises.

As-tu pris ton petit-déjeuner ce matin ?

The abbreviated 'lunch' (informal) – Le déj'

One of the most common and useful abbreviations you'll hear in everyday French is le déj. It's a key piece of informal vocabulary that will help you sound more like a native speaker.

Le déj is simply the shortened, casual version of the word le déjeuner, the standard French term for 'lunch'. This process of shortening words is very common in spoken French.

You will hear and use le déj in informal situations – with friends, family, or close colleagues. It's perfect for making plans or casually asking about someone's meal. You wouldn't typically use it in a very formal or professional written document.

Like its full version, le déj is a masculine noun. This is important for getting your articles and adjectives right. For example, you would say 'un bon déj' (a good lunch) or 'le déj' (the lunch).

This shortening pattern applies to other meals as well. You'll often hear breakfast, le petit-déjeuner, referred to as le p'tit déj. Understanding this pattern helps you recognize other common French slang.

💡 * Qu'est-ce qu'on mange pour le déj ? (What are we eating for lunch?)

J'ai un déj avec des collègues à midi. (I have a lunch with colleagues at noon.)

On se retrouve pour le déj demain ? (Shall we meet for lunch tomorrow?)

Le déj était délicieux ! (The lunch was delicious!)

The 'midday meal' – Le repas de midi

Another term you might encounter for lunch is le repas de midi. Literally, this translates to 'the meal of midday,' which perfectly describes its function.

Le repas de midi is a more descriptive and slightly more formal alternative to le déjeuner. While le déjeuner is the everyday default for 'lunch,' le repas de midi is often used for clarity, especially in schedules, formal invitations, or when distinguishing it from breakfast (le petit-déjeuner).

The phrase is composed of two parts: le repas (the meal) and de midi (of midday). Understanding this structure helps you recognize similar constructions, like le repas du soir (the evening meal).

You'll most likely see or hear le repas de midi in written contexts, on restaurant menus that specify service times, or in situations where someone wants to be precise about the timing of the meal. In casual, spoken French, le déjeuner remains far more common.

💡 * Le repas de midi est inclus dans le prix de l'excursion. (The midday meal is included in the price of the excursion.)

À quelle heure est servi le repas de midi ? (At what time is the midday meal served?)

Nous ferons une pause pour le repas de midi vers 13h. (We will take a break for the midday meal around 1 PM.)

C'était un repas de midi simple mais délicieux. (It was a simple but delicious midday meal.)

The regional 'lunch' (Belgium, Switzerland, Quebec) – Le dîner

While most learners are taught that le déjeuner means 'lunch', the word le dîner takes on this meaning in several French-speaking regions, creating a common point of confusion.

In French-speaking Belgium, Switzerland, and Quebec, le dîner refers to the midday meal, or 'lunch'. This usage reflects an older state of the French language that has been preserved in these areas.

This directly contrasts with the usage in France, where le dîner exclusively means 'dinner' (the evening meal). In France, the midday meal is called le déjeuner.

So, what is the evening meal called in these regions? They use the term le souper. Therefore, the meal sequence is le déjeuner (breakfast), le dîner (lunch), and le souper (dinner).

💡 * On se retrouve à midi pour le dîner ? (Shall we meet at noon for lunch? - Used in Quebec/Belgium)

J'ai invité mes collègues pour le dîner de demain. (I invited my colleagues for lunch tomorrow. - Used in Switzerland)

En France, on dit 'déjeuner', mais ici en Belgique, on dit 'dîner' pour le repas de midi. (In France, we say 'déjeuner', but here in Belgium, we say 'dîner' for the midday meal.)

Le dîner est servi de 12h à 14h. (Lunch is served from 12 PM to 2 PM.)

The 'quick bite' or 'snack' – Le casse-croûte

When you need a term for a quick, simple meal or a substantial snack in French, the go-to expression is le casse-croûte.

The term literally translates to “break-crust,” from the verb casser (to break) and la croûte (the crust of bread). This paints a picture of a simple, often bread-based meal, like a sandwich, that doesn't require a formal setting.

Le casse-croûte is typically used for an informal, light meal eaten quickly, often between main meals or as a packed lunch for a trip, hike, or workday. It implies something more substantial than a simple piece of fruit but less formal than a sit-down lunch.

This is a masculine noun: un casse-croûte. Importantly, it is an invariable noun, meaning the plural form is the same as the singular: des casse-croûte.

💡 * J'ai juste le temps pour un casse-croûte avant ma réunion. (I only have time for a quick bite before my meeting.)

Pour la randonnée, n'oubliez pas d'emporter un casse-croûte. (For the hike, don't forget to pack a snack.)

On fait une pause casse-croûte ? (Should we take a snack break?)

Son casse-croûte préféré est un sandwich au fromage. (His favorite quick meal is a cheese sandwich.)

The 'packed lunch' – La gamelle

The “packed lunch” – La gamelle

In French, la gamelle is the common term for a packed lunch. More specifically, it often refers to the container itself—a lunchbox, Tupperware, or a traditional metal mess tin. It's the meal you prepare at home to eat at work, school, or on a trip.

The word gamelle traditionally has strong blue-collar and working-class connotations, evoking images of factory or construction workers. While anyone can use the term, in a white-collar office setting, you might also hear someone say more neutrally, J'ai apporté mon déjeuner (I brought my lunch).

Crucially, la gamelle is also a key part of a very common informal expression: se prendre une gamelle (or prendre une gamelle). This has nothing to do with food and means “to take a tumble,” “to fall down,” or “to wipe out.” It's widely used to describe a literal fall.

So, remember the dual meaning. If you're talking about food, la gamelle is your packed lunch. But if you hear someone mention it after slipping on ice or falling off a bike, they're talking about a fall. Context is everything!

💡 * J'ai préparé ma gamelle pour le déjeuner au bureau.

Attention, tu vas te prendre une gamelle sur le sol mouillé !

Les ouvriers mangent leur gamelle sur le chantier à midi.

Le skater est tombé et s'est pris une sacrée gamelle.

The 'midday grub' (slang) – La bouffe de midi

The word la bouffe is a very common slang term in French for 'food', similar to 'grub' or 'chow' in English. Consequently, la bouffe de midi literally translates to 'the grub of midday' and is a casual, informal way to refer to lunch.

This is a highly informal expression. You would use it with friends, family, or close colleagues. In more formal settings, such as a business lunch or a fine dining restaurant, you should stick to the standard term, le déjeuner.

The noun la bouffe is related to the slang verb bouffer, which means 'to eat' or 'to chow down'. It's a casual substitute for the standard verb manger. You might hear someone ask, 'On bouffe où ce midi?' meaning, 'Where are we eating this afternoon?'

💡 * J'ai trop faim, vivement la bouffe de midi ! (I'm so hungry, I can't wait for lunch!)

La bouffe de la cantine est vraiment bonne aujourd'hui. (The cafeteria grub is really good today.)

Qu'est-ce qu'on bouffe ce soir ? (What are we eating tonight?)

1. The restaurant 'lunch special' – Le plat du jour

When you walk past a French bistro or restaurant, especially around lunchtime, you'll almost certainly see a sign for the plat du jour. This is the quintessential French term for the “dish of the day” or “lunch special.”

Literally translating to “the dish of the day,” the plat du jour is a specific meal prepared by the chef for that day, often using fresh, seasonal ingredients. It's typically offered at a more affordable price than items on the regular menu (la carte).

You will usually find the plat du jour written on a chalkboard (une ardoise) placed outside the restaurant or brought to your table. It represents a fresh, reliable, and often delicious choice that changes daily, reflecting the chef's creativity and market availability.

To ask what the special is, you can simply say, “Quel est le plat du jour ?” (What is the dish of the day?). It's a fundamental phrase for anyone dining out in France.

💡 * Quel est le plat du jour, s'il vous plaît ? (What is the dish of the day, please?)

Le plat du jour est un bœuf bourguignon. (The dish of the day is a beef bourguignon.)

Pour moi, ce sera le plat du jour. (For me, it will be the dish of the day.)

Le restaurant propose un excellent plat du jour à midi. (The restaurant offers an excellent daily special at noon.)

The 'feast' or 'big meal' – Le gueuleton

In French, le gueuleton is a colloquial and informal term for a large, hearty meal or a feast, often shared with friends in a very convivial atmosphere. The word is derived from gueule, the informal word for 'mouth' or 'face' (originally an animal's snout), which gives it a rustic, unpretentious, and slightly earthy feel. It's a meal focused on abundance, pleasure, and good company rather than formal etiquette.

A gueuleton is more than just a big meal; it implies a joyous, sometimes rowdy, gathering. Think of a blowout meal with plenty of food, wine, and laughter. The focus is on indulgence and camaraderie. You wouldn't use this term for a delicate, refined dinner, but it's perfect for a big celebratory meal with your closest friends.

The most common way to use the term is in the expression se faire un gueuleton, which means 'to have a big feast' or 'to treat oneself to a blowout meal'. Remember that gueuleton is a masculine noun, so you'll always see it as le gueuleton or un gueuleton.

💡 * Pour fêter sa promotion, on s'est fait un gueuleton mémorable.

Quel gueuleton hier soir ! J'ai mangé pour trois jours.

Les amis se sont retrouvés pour un bon gueuleton.

J'organise un petit gueuleton entre amis samedi, tu veux venir ?

Are there other ways to say 'lunch' in French?

Our list features the most common ways to say 'lunch' in French, focusing on the essential term déjeuner. But French, like any language, is rich with nuance. You might encounter other terms depending on the context, formality, or even the specific region of the French-speaking world you're in.

For instance, you could search for 'argot pour déjeuner' (slang for lunch) or 'déjeuner en français québécois' to explore regional specifics. This is a great way to discover colloquialisms.

If you come across a new word for 'lunch', pay close attention to the context. Is it used in a formal setting, among friends, or in a specific professional environment? Understanding the context is key to using new vocabulary correctly.

The best way to learn these subtleties is through immersion. As you watch French films, listen to French podcasts, or read French menus, notice how people talk about their midday meal. You'll pick up on the natural rhythm and vocabulary of the language.

If you want to explore more vocabulary related to meals, such as 'brunch', 'snack', or 'feast', the WordReference entry for repas (meal) is an excellent starting point. It provides numerous examples and related terms.

I hope this guide has made you more confident about discussing lunch in French. To leave you with a taste of French culinary philosophy, here is a famous quote from the gastronome Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin: 'Dis-moi ce que tu manges, je te dirai ce que tu es.' (Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.) Bon appétit!

'9 ways to say "lunch" in French'