Finir + noun

Phúc Đ.B2Kwiziq community member

Finir + noun

I've come across this sentence:

J'ai fini de déjeuner.

It seems correct to me when "déjeuner" is a verb.

But I wonder if "déjeuner" here is a noun and is being used along with "de". 

If yes, would there be any difference from "J'ai fini le déjeuner"?

Thank you

This question relates to:French lesson "to finish"
Asked 4 years ago
Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Your first thought is the correct one - déjeuner is a verb in this setting, not the noun. It is «finir de déjeuner» as finir de (infinitive) is required. Petit-déjeuner and dîner are also used as verbs. «Je déjeune = Je prends le déjeuner». Effectively the first sentence can be translated as "I finished eating/having/taking (note the French «prendre le repas») lunch", whereas for the second sentence "I finished (the) lunch".

Phúc Đ. asked:

Finir + noun

I've come across this sentence:

J'ai fini de déjeuner.

It seems correct to me when "déjeuner" is a verb.

But I wonder if "déjeuner" here is a noun and is being used along with "de". 

If yes, would there be any difference from "J'ai fini le déjeuner"?

Thank you

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
I'll be right with you...