temps froid
The English phrase "cold weather" is temps froid in French.
temps froid is a noun phrase used to describe a period of time when the outdoor temperature is low.
Which one should you use?
While temps froid is a noun phrase meaning "cold weather", you should use the impersonal construction il fait froid when you want to describe the current state of the weather, such as saying "It is cold".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the term frette is often used to describe cold weather.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase temps froid is masculine, so any accompanying adjectives or articles must also be in the masculine form.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying froid temps. English speakers often make this error by following English adjective-noun word order, but in French, the adjective froid typically follows the noun temps.
Did you know?
- The word temps shares an ancestor with the English word 'time', stemming from the Latin 'tempus'.
- The adjective froid can also be used to describe a person's personality as 'unfriendly' or 'distant', much like the English word 'cold'.
- In French, the adjective froid can sometimes move before the noun in certain poetic or literary styles, though temps froid is the standard.
Examples in context
- Je suis habitué au temps froid.I'm used to cold weather.This sentence shows how to express being used to temps froid.Tatoeba #8302237 by Aiji, translation #6872909 by CK
- Je suis accoutumé au temps froid.I am accustomed to cold weather.This sentence shows how to express being accustomed to temps froid.Tatoeba #460290 by sacredceltic, translation #256713 by CK
- Je suis habitué à ce temps froid.I'm used to this cold weather.Tatoeba #6400072 by Aiji, translation #2713103 by CK
- Le temps froid nécessite des vêtements chauds.Cold weather requires warm clothing.
- Le Nord du pays connaît souvent des hivers avec un froid glacial.The northern part of the country often experiences winters with icy cold.
- Il fait vraiment froid dehors aujourd'hui.It's really cold outside today.
- Sortez bien couverts, il fait un peu frisquet aujourd'hui.Wrap up warm, it's a bit chilly today.
- Je ne sors pas aujourd'hui, il fait glacial dehors !I'm not going out today, it's freezing outside!
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are talking about the winter weather.
- LucasJe n'aime pas ce temps froid.I do not like this cold weather.
- ManonMoi aussi, je préfère le soleil.Me too, I prefer the sun.
- LucasTu as raison, Manon.You are right, Manon.
- ManonOn va rester au chaud ?Shall we stay warm?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries froid, temps, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
