journée nuageuse
A cloudy day in French is journée nuageuse.
Use this phrase to describe a specific day when the sky is covered with clouds. If you wish to describe the general state of the weather rather than a specific day, you can use un temps nuageux.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of journée (day/duration) and nuageuse (cloudy).
Which one should you use?
While journée nuageuse refers to the day itself, un temps nuageux is used when you want to describe the cloudy weather state.
Did you know?
- While journée nuageuse describes the sky, French speakers often say il fait gris ('it is grey') to describe a cloudy day. This phrase focuses on the mood and the color of the light rather than the presence of clouds.
- The term journée evolved from the Vulgar Latin diurnāta, which originally referred to a day's work or a daily wage.
- While English uses 'cloudy' as a simple adjective, French speakers often use the term couvert to describe a sky that is so heavily clouded it is completely hidden.
Examples in context
- C'est une journée nuageuse.It's a cloudy day.This sentence is useful for stating that it is a journée nuageuse.Tatoeba #781169 by melospawn, translation #280744 by CK
- La météo prévoit une journée nuageuse demain.The weather forecast predicts a cloudy day tomorrow.
- Aujourd'hui, il fait gris, je pense que ça va pleuvoir.Today, it's cloudy, I think it's going to rain.
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are checking the weather forecast for their hike.
- ChloéRegarde, la météo annonce une journée nuageuse.Look, the weather forecast predicts a cloudy day.
- GabrielEst-ce qu'il va pleuvoir, Chloé ?Is it going to rain, Chloé?
- ChloéNon, c'est juste une journée nuageuse.No, it is just a cloudy day.
- GabrielD'accord, alors nous pouvons partir.Okay, then we can leave.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries journée, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
