En-cas vs. collation vs. goûter

In French, 'en-cas', 'collation' and 'goûter' all refer to the concept of snacking, but with nuanced differences depending on the context, time and age group. Understanding these differences will enrich your French vocabulary and help you choose the right word for different snacking scenarios.

En-cas

The word 'en-cas' refers to a small, light snack that is usually eaten between meals. It is often something simple and quick to stave off hunger until the next meal.
Je prends toujours un en-cas dans mon sac au cas j'aurais faim.
(I always take a snack in my bag in case I get hungry.)
Un fruit ou un yaourt peut être un bon en-cas.
(A fruit or a yogurt can be a good snack.)

Collation

'Collation' usually refers to a light meal or snack, often eaten in the late afternoon or evening. It can also imply something more substantial than 'en-cas', but less than a full meal.
Nous avons partagé une collation après la réunion.
(We shared a snack after the meeting.)
Une collation peut consister en du fromage et des fruits.
(A snack can consist of cheese and fruit.)

Goûter

'Goûter' is a snack specifically for children, typically eaten after school in the late afternoon. It often involves sweet treats or bakery items.
Les enfants prennent leur goûter vers quatre heures.
(The children have their snack at around four o'clock.)
Pour le goûter d'aujourd'hui, j'ai fait des cookies maison.
(For today's snack, I made homemade cookies.)

Summary

While 'en-cas', 'collation' and 'goûter' can all be translated into English as 'snack', they serve different purposes. En-cas' is a quick solution to hunger between meals; 'collation' suggests a light meal that could be more substantial and possibly eaten later in the day; and 'goûter' is specifically an after-school snack, often sweets or baked goods, intended for children.