av. J.-C. et ap. J.-C.
The phrase "bc and ad" in French is expressed as av. J.-C. et ap. J.-C.
These abbreviations are used to label years before and after the birth of Jesus Christ. In written French, it is common to use uppercase letters and periods for the abbreviation Avant J.C.
What does it mean word for word?
The abbreviation av. J.-C. stands for avant Jésus-Christ, which literally means before Jesus Christ.
Did you know?
- French historians and archaeologists often use the term ère commune or ère chrétienne to refer to the 'common era' instead of using the J.-C. abbreviations.
- The abbreviation J.-C. uses a hyphen to treat 'Jésus-Christ' as a single proper noun unit rather than two independent initials.
- The 'J' in the abbreviation J.-C. is pronounced with the soft French 'zh' sound, unlike the hard 'J' sound found in the English 'Jay'.
Examples in context
- Ce monument a été construit en 500 avant Jésus-Christ.This monument was built in 500 BC.
- On distingue les dates av. J.-C. et ap. J.-C.We distinguish between BC and AD dates.
Example conversation
Two students are studying a history textbook together.
- LucasRegarde, cette date est av. J.-C. et ap. J.-C.Look, this date is BC and AD.
- ManonOui, c'est pour marquer le changement d'ère.Yes, it's to mark the change of era.
- LucasEst-ce que c'est courant d'utiliser av. J.-C. et ap. J.-C. ?Is it common to use BC and AD?
- ManonOui, on les utilise souvent en histoire, Lucas.Yes, we use them often in history, Lucas.
