Salut! Are you eager to learn how to say “Celsius” in French? In this guide, we will explore both the formal and informal ways of expressing this temperature scale. We will also provide tips and examples to help you grasp the nuances of the language. So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
1. Formal Ways to Say Celsius in French
When it comes to formal communication or academic settings, it’s important to use appropriate language. Below are two formal expressions for Celsius in French:
1. Degré Celsius: This is the official term used in French to refer to the Celsius scale. It is widely recognized and understood in all French-speaking regions.
Example: La température sera de 25 degrés Celsius aujourd’hui. (The temperature will be 25 degrees Celsius today.)2. Degré centigrade: Though less common nowadays, this term is still used in some scientific contexts as an alternative to “degré Celsius.” It refers to the Celsius scale in a similar manner.
Example: Veuillez convertir la température de Fahrenheit en degrés centigrades. (Please convert the temperature from Fahrenheit to degrees centigrade.)
2. Informal Ways to Say Celsius in French
For everyday conversations, informal interactions, or casual writing, you’ll find these expressions essential:
1. Degré: In informal contexts, French speakers often drop the term “Celsius” and simply use “degré” to refer to temperature.
Example: Il fait 20 degrés aujourd’hui. (It’s 20 degrees today.)2. Degré C: When brevity is key, especially in written communication like text messages or social media, many French speakers use “degré C” as an abbreviated form.
Example: Il fait chaud aujourd’hui, environ 35 degré C. (It’s hot today, around 35 degrees C.)
3. Tips and Examples
To help you become more comfortable with using these expressions, here are some additional tips and examples:
3.1. Consider Context
Keep in mind that the appropriate choice of term depends on the context. For instance, in scientific or technical discussions, using “degré Celsius” may be more fitting, while “degré” or “degré C” are suitable for everyday conversations.
3.2. Adjective Agreement
Remember that when talking about temperature using any of these expressions, the adjectives need to agree in gender and number with the noun they are modifying. For instance:
- Il fait 30 degrés Celsius aujourd’hui. (It’s 30 degrees Celsius today.)
- Il fait -10 degrés Celsius dehors. (It’s -10 degrees Celsius outside.)
3.3. Combining with Other Temperature Scales
If you need to mention both Celsius and Fahrenheit, you can use the following expressions:
- Il fait 25 degrés Celsius (77 degrés Fahrenheit) aujourd’hui. (It’s 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) today.)
- La température est de -5 degrés Celsius (23 degrés Fahrenheit) en montagne. (The temperature is -5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit) in the mountains.)
Remember to convert the temperatures accurately using the appropriate conversion formulas.
3.4. Idiomatic Expressions
French, like any language, has some idiomatic expressions related to temperature. Here’s an example:
- Il fait un froid de canard aujourd’hui! (It’s freezing today!)
Feel free to explore more idioms to add a touch of linguistic flair to your conversations.
Conclusion
Voilà! Now you know how to say “Celsius” in French both formally and informally. Remember to choose the right expression based on the context, and don’t forget to ensure adjective agreement and accurate temperature conversions. So go ahead, put your new knowledge into practice, and enjoy conversing about temperatures in French!
