When it comes to expressing date ranges in French, it’s important to understand both the formal and informal ways of doing so. Whether you are learning French for business or casual conversation, this comprehensive guide will provide you with tips, examples, and regional variations (if necessary) to ensure you can confidently express date ranges in various contexts.
Table of Contents
1. Formal Ways
In formal settings, such as business meetings, official documents, or academic writing, it is essential to use proper and precise language to convey date ranges. Here are some phrases you can use:
De [start date] à [end date] – This is the most common and straightforward way to express a date range in French. For example, “De lundi à vendredi” means “from Monday to Friday.”
Example:
La conférence aura lieu du 10 au 14 septembre. (The conference will take place from September 10th to 14th.)
À partir de [start date] – This is used to indicate a date range starting from a specific date. For example, “À partir du 1er janvier” means “starting from January 1st.”
Example:
Le programme sera disponible à partir du 1er janvier. (The program will be available starting from January 1st.)
Jusqu’au [end date] – This is used to indicate a date range up to a specific date. For example, “Jusqu’au 31 décembre” means “up to December 31st.”
Example:
Les inscriptions sont ouvertes jusqu’au 31 décembre. (Registrations are open until December 31st.)
2. Informal Ways
In informal situations, such as friendly conversations or casual writing, you can use more relaxed expressions to convey date ranges. Here are some informal phrases you can use:
Du [start date] au [end date] – This is a colloquial way of expressing a date range. For example, “Du 10 au 14 septembre” means “from the 10th to the 14th of September.”
Example:
Je serai en vacances du 10 au 14 septembre. (I will be on vacation from the 10th to the 14th of September.)
Du [start date] jusqu’au [end date] – This is another informal way of conveying a date range. For example, “Du 1er janvier jusqu’au 31 décembre” means “from January 1st until December 31st.”
Example:
Nous serons en France du 1er janvier jusqu’au 31 décembre. (We will be in France from January 1st until December 31st.)
3. Regional Variations
French is spoken not only in France but also in various francophone regions around the world. Although the formal and informal expressions mentioned above are widely understood, you may come across some regional variations. Here is an example:
De [start date] jusqu’à [end date] – This variation is more commonly used in some Canadian French-speaking regions. For example, “De lundi jusqu’à vendredi” means “from Monday to Friday.”
Example:
Je serai à Montréal de septembre jusqu’à décembre. (I will be in Montreal from September to December.)
Additional Tips and Examples
- When expressing the day within a date range, you can use ordinal numbers (premier, deuxième, troisième, etc.) or cardinal numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.). Both are acceptable in French.
- To avoid repetition when mentioning the month within a date range, you can omit it for the second date if it’s the same as the first. For example, “Du 5 au 10 juin” or “Du 5 au 10” both mean “from the 5th to the 10th of June.”
- When referring to a specific year within a date range, you can use either the ordinal number or the cardinal number. For example, “Du 2ème au 5 octobre” or “Du 2 au 5 octobre” both mean “from the 2nd to the 5th of October.”
Now that you have a comprehensive guide on expressing date ranges in French, you can confidently navigate formal and informal conversations or written communications. Remember to adapt your expressions based on the context and the level of formality required. Happy communicating in French!
