Permis PrêtDéjeuner, dîner, souper: meal names in Québec and France
A false friend that causes misunderstandings between Quebecers and French people.
Short answer : In Québec: déjeuner = breakfast, dîner = lunch, souper = dinner. In France: petit déjeuner = breakfast, déjeuner = lunch, dîner = dinner. The words are shifted by one step.
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| Meal | In Québec | In France |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | déjeuner | petit déjeuner |
| Midday | dîner | déjeuner |
| Evening | souper | dîner |
Where to hear it
In At the corner store, the customer buys bread “pour déjeuner demain matin”. In At the SAQ, the customer is having her in-laws over “pour le souper”: an evening meal.
Practical advice
If someone invites you “à dîner” in Québec, think midday. If you listen to an exam document in international French, “dîner” can mean the evening: use the time or the context to decide. See also the dépanneur expressions.
Dialogues to listen to
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Vocabulary fiche. The content is in beta: a review by a native Québécois speaker is under way.