une éternité
The English phrase 'ages' is translated into French as une éternité.
Meaning: a long time (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase une éternité literally means 'an eternity'.
Which one should you use?
While English uses the plural 'ages' to express a long duration, French uses the singular une éternité to convey the same hyperbolic sense.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say you have not done something 'for ages', use the preposition depuis before the phrase, as in depuis une éternité.
Did you know?
- To exaggerate a wait even further than une éternité, French speakers might use the phrase des lustres, referring to a Roman five-year period.
- If you want to say 'for ages' in a more casual, slightly less dramatic way, French speakers often use the expression un bail, which literally translates to 'a lease'.
- The word éternité comes from the Latin aeternitās, which was a 'learned borrowing' rather than a word that evolved naturally through spoken Old French.
Examples in context
- Cela prendrait une éternité.That would take ages.This sentence shows how to express that a task would take a long time using une éternité.Tatoeba #11726406 by Micsmithel, translation #12425256 by sundown
- Je ne t'ai pas vu depuis une éternité.I haven't seen you for ages.This sentence is useful for saying you have not seen someone for a long time with une éternité.Tatoeba #538276 by sacredceltic, translation #417019 by CK
- Je ne l'ai pas vue depuis une éternité.I haven't seen her for ages.This sentence demonstrates the same use of une éternité for a female subject.Tatoeba #134550 by sacredceltic, translation #31188 by CK
- Je suis âgé(e) de vingt-cinq ansI am 25 years old
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are waiting for a late train.
- ManonLe train a encore du retard.The train is late again.
- LucasOui, ça fait une éternité qu'on attend.Yes, we've been waiting for ages.
- ManonJe commence à perdre patience.I'm starting to lose patience.
- LucasMoi aussi, Lucas est fatigué.Me too, Lucas is tired.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries une, éternité, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
