célébration
/se.le.bʁa.sjɔ̃/feminine
The English phrase "celebration" can be translated into French as célébration or fête.
Meaning: social gathering for entertainment and fun (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| célébration | /se.le.bʁa.sjɔ̃/ | feminine |
| fête | /fɛt/ (France) /fɛːt/ |
feminine |
Both words refer to a social gathering for entertainment and fun. In specific contexts, you might use cérémonie to depict certain types of celebrations or solennité if the context requires a formal and serious tone. For a sense of joyousness and delight in formal settings, the word réjouissance is also used.
Which one should you use?
While célébration is a direct cognate of the English word, it is often used in more formal, ceremonial or religious contexts. In contrast, fête is the more common way to refer to a celebration.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both célébration and fête are feminine nouns. Because they are feminine, any accompanying adjectives must agree in gender, such as une grande fête.
How do you pronounce it?
/se.le.bʁa.sjɔ̃/
Did you know?
- In France, a fête is not just a party but can refer to a specific saint's day. Many people have a fête associated with their given name, similar to a name day.
- The word fête is actually a plural form in disguise. It descends from the Late Latin plural fēsta, originally meaning 'festivals' or 'holiday feasts'.
- The term fête can also refer to a specific type of street festival or fair. In many French towns, a fête patronale is a traditional celebration held in honor of a local saint.
Examples in context
- Il faut fêter ça.This calls for a celebration.This sentence is useful for showing how to use the verb form of fête.Tatoeba #11377575 by lbdx, translation #7915509 by Hybrid
- Que la fête commence.Let the celebration start.This sentence is useful for using fête to express a beginning.Tatoeba #1328695 by sacredceltic, translation #4496363 by CK
- Chaque jour n'est pas un jour de fête !Not every day is a day of celebration!This sentence is useful for using fête in a common idiom about daily life.Tatoeba #1118994 by sacredceltic, translation #11613675 by tieguy
- Nous avons organisé une fête pour célébrer son diplômeWe organized a celebration to commemorate his graduation
- La célébration de leur anniversaire de mariage était grandioseTheir wedding anniversary celebration was grand
- Les réjouissances ont duré toute la nuitThe festivities lasted all night long
- La cérémonie de remise des prix était exceptionnelleThe awards ceremony was exceptional
- On a prévu une soirée à notre appartement pour célébrer la nouvelle annéeWe planned a party at our apartment to celebrate the New Year
- On a organisé un boom pour fêter nos retrouvaillesWe organized a disco party to celebrate our reunion
- Les festivités de la Fête nationale du Québec attirent des milliers de visiteurs chaque annéeThe festivities of Quebec's National Day attract thousands of visitors every year
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are planning a party for a friend.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu aides pour la célébration ?Are you helping with the celebration?
- EmmaOui, je m'occupe des boissons, Gabriel.Yes, I am taking care of the drinks, Gabriel.
- GabrielSuper, ce sera une belle célébration.Great, it will be a beautiful celebration.
- EmmaJe suis sûre qu'elle sera ravie.I am sure she will be delighted.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “celebration” translations and entries célébration, fête, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries célébration, fête, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
