French Phrase
Des fois je zappe le petit-déj.
Meaning
This is a very colloquial way to say you do not eat breakfast on certain days. The verb 'zapper' comes from 'channel surfing' but is now used in French slang to mean skipping or forgetting something. 'Petit-déj' is the standard informal abbreviation for 'petit-déjeuner'.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal settings with friends, family, or close colleagues. It is perfect for casual morning chats or when discussing your daily routine.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Des foisjezappelepetit-déj
Des fois
An informal alternative to 'parfois' or 'quelquefois' used frequently in spoken French.
Zapper
A modern slang verb meaning to skip or overlook something, originally referring to changing TV channels.
Petit-déj
A common example of 'apocope' where the end of a word is dropped to make it easier to say in casual speech.
🗨In Conversation
Tu veux un croissant ?
Do you want a croissant?
Non merci, des fois je zappe le petit-déj.
No thanks, sometimes I skip breakfast.
✕Common Mistakes
Des fois je zappe du petit-déjeuner.
The verb 'zapper' is transitive and takes a direct object; do not use 'du' or 'de'.
Parfois je zappe le petit-déjeuner.
While understandable, 'zapper' is very informal, so using it with the formal 'parfois' creates a slight register clash.
↔Alternatives
Parfois, je saute le petit-déjeuner.
Sometimes, I skip breakfast.
Je ne prends pas toujours de petit-déjeuner.
I don't always have breakfast.
Cultural Tip
In France, breakfast is traditionally light, often just bread with jam or a pastry. While skipping it is becoming more common among young urban professionals, using abbreviations like 'petit-déj' shows you are familiar with modern, fast-paced French life.