Finir + noun

PhúcB2Kwiziq 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 3 years ago
MaartenC1 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".

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

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