French Phrase
Fais attention au temps que tu passes à manger.
Meaning
The sentence is a friendly reminder to watch how much time you devote to eating. It can be used as advice to avoid lingering over meals, especially when you have a tight schedule.
When to use
Use it when you notice someone (or yourself) taking long pauses at the table, in a work‑break context, or when discussing time‑management habits related to meals.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Faisattentionautempsquetupassesàmanger.
Fais attention
Imperative of *faire* + *attention* means “be careful / pay attention”. In the singular informal you use *fais*, not *faites*.
au = à + le
The preposition *à* contracts with the masculine definite article *le* to form *au*.
passer du temps à + infinitif
When you talk about spending time doing something, use *passer du temps à* followed by an infinitive.
que (relative pronoun)
Introduces a relative clause that describes *le temps*.
passes (present)
*Passer* is conjugated here in the second‑person singular present: *tu passes*.
à manger (infinitive)
The infinitive *manger* follows the preposition *à* after *passer du temps*.
🗨In Conversation
Fais attention au temps que tu passes à manger.
Pay attention to the time you spend eating.
Oui, je devrais vraiment manger plus rapidement.
Yes, I really should eat faster.
✕Common Mistakes
Faites attention au temps que tu passes à manger.
Use *fais* for informal singular; *faites* is plural or formal.
Fais attention à le temps que tu passes à manger.
The preposition *à* contracts with *le* to *au*.
Fais attention au temps que tu passes le temps à manger.
This changes the meaning to “you spend the time *while* eating”, not “the time you spend *eating*”.
↔Alternatives
Fais attention à combien de temps tu passes à manger.
Pay attention to how much time you spend eating.
Sois attentif au temps que tu passes à manger.
Be attentive to the time you spend eating.
Ne perds pas trop de temps à manger.
Don’t waste too much time eating.
Cultural Tip
In France, meals are often social events that can last an hour or more, especially lunch. However, in professional settings or when you have a tight agenda, it’s common to remind colleagues to keep meals brief. The phrase is informal but polite; for a more formal tone you could say *Veuillez faire attention…*.