Bonjour! If you’re looking to learn how to say “birthdate” in French, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore both formal and informal ways to express this concept in the French language. We’ll also provide you with some tips, examples, and even touch upon regional variations. So, let’s get started!
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Formal Ways to Say Birthdate in French
When it comes to formal situations, such as official documents or formal conversations, you can use the following phrases to say “birthdate” in French:
1. Date de naissance: This is the most straightforward and commonly used phrase to talk about your birthdate in a formal setting. It literally translates to “date of birth.”
2. Jour de naissance: While less commonly used than “date de naissance,” this phrase literally means “day of birth” and is also acceptable in formal contexts.
For example, if someone asks you for your birthdate in a formal situation, you could reply with:
“Ma date de naissance est le 12 mars 1990.” (My birthdate is March 12th, 1990.)
“Mon jour de naissance est le 27 juillet.” (My birthdate is July 27th.)
Informal Ways to Say Birthdate in French
In more casual and informal settings, you might use different expressions to refer to your birthdate. Here are some informal phrases commonly used in conversational French:
1. Date d’anniversaire: While this phrase literally means “date of anniversary,” it is commonly used to refer to one’s birthdate in an informal context.
2. Mon anniversaire: This simple phrase means “my birthday” and can be used conversationally to talk about your birthdate.
For instance, if you’re talking to a friend, you can say:
“Ma date d’anniversaire est le 12 mars.” (My birthdate is March 12th.)
“C’est mon anniversaire le 27 juillet.” (My birthday is on July 27th.)
Tips for Talking About Birthdates in French
When discussing birthdates in French, here are some additional tips that might come in handy:
- 1. Be mindful of word order: In French, the usual word order for expressing a birthdate is day + month + year, unlike the month + day + year format commonly used in English. For example, “12 mars 1990” means “March 12th, 1990.”
- 2. Include articles: In French, it’s common to include articles before both the day and the month. For example, “le 12 mars” (on March 12th) or “le 27 juillet” (on July 27th).
- 3. Use cardinal numbers: When stating the day or month, be sure to use cardinal numbers (e.g., 12 – douze) rather than ordinal numbers (e.g., 12th – douzième).
- 4. Avoid the possessive pronoun: While it’s common to say “my birthday” in English, in French, it’s more common to omit the possessive pronoun when talking about your birthdate. Instead of saying “mon anniversaire,” you can simply say “c’est mon anniversaire” or “c’est le 27 juillet.”
Examples of Birthdates in French
To help you see these phrases in context, here are a few examples of birthdates expressed in French:
- “15 juin 1995” (June 15th, 1995): Quel est votre jour de naissance? (What is your birthdate?)
- “23 septembre” (September 23rd): C’est ma date d’anniversaire. (It’s my birthdate.)
- “8 avril 1982” (April 8th, 1982): Ma date de naissance est le 8 avril 1982. (My birthdate is April 8th, 1982.)
- “12 novembre” (November 12th): Mon anniversaire est le 12 novembre. (My birthday is on November 12th.)
And voilà! Now you have a comprehensive guide on how to say “birthdate” in French, both formally and informally. Remember to pay attention to word order, include articles, and use cardinal numbers when discussing birthdates. Whether you’re having a formal conversation or chatting with a friend, you can confidently express your birthdate in French. Bonne journée!
