French Phrase
Où est la salle du petit‑déj' ?
Meaning
Literally, “Where is the breakfast room?” It is a quick way to ask for the location of the place where breakfast is served, typically in a hotel, hostel, school or office.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re looking for the dining area that serves breakfast – for example, after checking into a hotel, arriving at a conference centre, or navigating a school campus.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Oùestlasalledupetit-déj'
Où (question word)
Used to ask about location; placed at the beginning of the sentence.
être – est
Third‑person singular present of ‘être’; links the subject (la salle) to its location.
la salle (feminine noun)
‘Salle’ is feminine, so the article is ‘la’.
du = de + le
The preposition ‘de’ contracts with the masculine article ‘le’ to form ‘du’.
petit‑déj' (colloquial)
Short, informal form of ‘petit‑déjeuner’; still masculine, so it follows ‘du’.
🗨In Conversation
Où est la salle du petit‑déj' ?
Where is the breakfast room?
C’est au deuxième étage, à droite de l’ascenseur.
It’s on the second floor, to the right of the elevator.
✕Common Mistakes
Où est le salle du petit‑déj' ?
‘Salle’ is feminine; the correct article is ‘la’.
Où est la salle de le petit‑déjeuner ?
If you use the full word ‘petit‑déjeuner’, keep the masculine article ‘du’. Dropping the contraction is incorrect.
Où est la salle du petit‑dej ?
The apostrophe is optional; some learners omit it and write ‘petit‑déj’. Both are understood, but the apostrophe signals the spoken contraction.
↔Alternatives
Où se trouve la salle du petit‑déjeuner ?
Where is the breakfast room located?
Où est la salle du petit déjeuner ?
Where is the breakfast room?
C’est où la salle du petit‑déj' ?
Where’s the breakfast room?
Cultural Tip
In French‑speaking countries breakfast (le petit‑déjeuner) is usually light – coffee, tea, croissants or a baguette with jam. The shortened ‘petit‑déj'’ is informal and common among younger speakers or in casual settings like hostels. In formal contexts (e.g., a hotel brochure) use the full ‘petit‑déjeuner’. Also, note that ‘salle’ is feminine, so the article must be ‘la’, not ‘le’.