French Phrase
Combien de temps dure ta pause déjeuner ?
Meaning
This question asks someone how long their lunch break lasts. It focuses on the duration rather than the time of day, so the answer will be a length of time (e.g., « une heure », « une heure et demie »).
When to use
Use it in informal or semi‑formal settings—talking with a coworker, a classmate, or a friend about daily routines. It’s perfect for small‑talk at the office or when planning a meeting around each other’s lunch schedules.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Combiendetempsduretapausedéjeuner?
Combien de + nom
Used to ask “how much/how many”. The preposition de links the interrogative word to the noun.
temps (noun)
A masculine, uncountable noun meaning “time, duration”. It is often used in expressions of length.
durer (verb)
Third‑person singular present: dure. Means “to last, to continue”. It is the verb normally used for asking about the length of an event.
ta (possessive adjective)
Agrees with the feminine noun “pause”. Use “ta” before a feminine singular noun that begins with a consonant.
pause déjeuner (compound noun)
Literally “lunch break”. In French it is treated as a feminine noun (la pause déjeuner).
🗨In Conversation
Combien de temps dure ta pause déjeuner ?
How long is your lunch break?
Je prends une heure, mais parfois je reste une heure et demie quand il y a une réunion.
I take an hour, but sometimes I stay an hour and a half when there’s a meeting.
✕Common Mistakes
Combien de temps est ta pause déjeuner ?
Use the verb durer, not être, when asking about how long something lasts.
Combien de temps dure ton pause déjeuner ?
Because “pause” is feminine, the correct possessive is ta, not ton.
Combien temps dure ta pause déjeuner ?
Dropping the preposition de changes the structure; the correct phrase is « Combien de temps ».
↔Alternatives
Quelle est la durée de ta pause déjeuner ?
What is the duration of your lunch break?
Tu pauses déjeuner combien de temps ?
You lunch break how long?
Ta pause déjeuner dure combien ?
Your lunch break lasts how long?
Cultural Tip
In France, the typical lunch break (pause déjeuner) lasts about one hour, especially in larger cities. In smaller towns or traditional companies it can be longer—up to two hours—allowing for a sit‑down meal. Remember that “pause déjeuner” is feminine, so adjectives and possessives must agree (ta pause, une longue pause). In some regions, people call it “le déjeuner” and refer to the break simply as “le déjeuner”.