Introduction
Telling time and expressing dates are fundamental aspects of communication in any language. In French, mastering these skills not only helps in everyday conversations but also enhances your understanding of cultural contexts.
Time in French
- Hours and Minutes: The 24-hour clock is commonly used in formal settings, while the 12-hour clock is prevalent in informal contexts.
- Expressions: Phrases like "du matin" (in the morning), "de l'après-midi" (in the afternoon), and "du soir" (in the evening) clarify time in the 12-hour format.
Common Phrases
- Quelle heure est-il ? (What time is it?)
- Il est midi. (It’s noon.)
- Il est minuit. (It’s midnight.)
- Il est trois heures. (It’s 3 o’clock.)
- Il est deux heures et demie. (It’s 2:30.)
- Il est quatre heures moins le quart. (It’s 3:45.)
- Il est neuf heures du matin. (It’s 9 AM.)
- Il est sept heures du soir. (It’s 7 PM.)
Time Vocabulary
| French | English |
|---|---|
| heure | hour |
| minute | minute |
| seconde | second |
| matin | morning |
| après-midi | afternoon |
| soir | evening |
| nuit | night |
| midi | noon |
| minuit | midnight |
| pile | exactly/sharp |
| et quart | quarter past |
| et demie | half past |
| moins le quart | quarter to |
Date in French
Structure
- Day-Month-Year: The standard format for writing dates in French.
- Ordinal Numbers: Used for the first day of the month and some formal occasions.
Example Phrases
- Quel jour sommes-nous ? (What’s the date today?)
- Nous sommes le 5 octobre 2023. (It’s October 5, 2023.)
- Mon anniversaire est le 12 juillet. (My birthday is July 12th.)
- C’est lundi. (It’s Monday.)
- Aujourd’hui, c’est mardi. (Today is Tuesday.)
Days of the Week
| French | English |
|---|---|
| lundi | Monday |
| mardi | Tuesday |
| mercredi | Wednesday |
| jeudi | Thursday |
| vendredi | Friday |
| samedi | Saturday |
| dimanche | Sunday |
Months of the Year
| French | English |
|---|---|
| janvier | January |
| février | February |
| mars | March |
| avril | April |
| mai | May |
| juin | June |
| juillet | July |
| août | August |
| septembre | September |
| octobre | October |
| novembre | November |
| décembre | December |
Date Vocabulary
| French | English |
|---|---|
| aujourd’hui | today |
| demain | tomorrow |
| hier | yesterday |
| semaine | week |
| mois | month |
| année | year |
| jour | day |
| date | date |
| calendrier | calendar |
Example Sentences
- Il est dix heures du matin.
(It’s 10 AM.)
- Nous avons rendez-vous à trois heures de l’après-midi.
(We have a meeting at 3 PM.)
- La réunion commence à vingt heures.
(The meeting starts at 8 PM.)
- Aujourd’hui, c’est mercredi.
(Today is Wednesday.)
- Nous sommes le 15 mars 2023.
(It’s March 15, 2023.)
- Mon anniversaire est le 10 juin.
(My birthday is June 10th.)
- Demain, ce sera samedi.
(Tomorrow will be Saturday.)
Cultural Note
In French-speaking countries, the 24-hour clock is often used in schedules, timetables, and official documents, making it essential to understand both formal and informal time expressions.