cafétéria vs cantine

G. D.C1Kwiziq community member

cafétéria vs cantine

Is there a difference between cafétéria and cantine? Can you use "cantine" here?

Asked 2 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Gee, 

We have had a look at this but feel it is splitting hair.

The word 'cafétéria' didn't exist in France in the '60s and I discovered it on my first visit to London in 1966!

It is widely used nowadays for the kind of establishments as described by Jim,

But strictly speaking -

cantine = canteen

cafétéria = cafeteria

 

In a business setting, it would depend on what the company had on offer. A large company might have a  'restaurant d'entreprise'.

You would have a cantine in a school or a hospital for instance for the staff but a cafétéria for the public.

Hope this helps!

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Gee,

There is a difference between the two:-

cafétéria  --> light meals, coffee, and other light drinks.

cantine  --> as above, but usually found in work type of settings and there could be more than one in a large organisation.

Reading the text of the lesson and given this text suggests an office-type of situation, then yes potentially cantine could be appropriate.

Perhaps a staff expert will consider whether to initiate a modification to the lesson?

Bonne journée

Jim

G. D. asked:View original

cafétéria vs cantine

Is there a difference between cafétéria and cantine? Can you use "cantine" here?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Thinking...