premier jour
The English phrase "day one" is translated into French as premier jour.
This adverbial phrase is used to indicate that something happened at the very beginning.
Meaning: at the very beginning (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of premier (first) and jour (day).
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, the adjective premier precedes the noun jour. To express the specific English sense of "from day one" (meaning "starting from the very beginning"), French speakers typically use the preposition dès followed by the definite article le, resulting in the phrase dès le premier jour.
Did you know?
- The word jour is a distant cousin to the English word 'journal', as both share a common ancestor in the Late Latin 'diurnum', which refers to things being done by day.
- In French, the word journée is used instead of jour when referring to the duration or the quality of the day, such as wishing someone a 'good day' with bonne journée.
- When referring to the first day of the month, French speakers use le premier, omitting the word jour entirely.
Examples in context
- Il m'a plu dès le premier jour.I liked him from day one.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use premier jour to express liking someone from the very beginning.Tatoeba #12439093 by lbdx, translation #11910248 by sundown
- le premier jour de l'annéeThe first day of the year
- C'est le premier jour de juillet , et il fait déjà très chaud !It's the first day of July, and it's already very hot!
- Nous débutons le premier jour de notre nouvelle vie ensemble !We're starting the first day of our new life together!
- Je me sentais bien dès le premier jour.I felt good from the very first day.
- Tout était parfait dès le premier jour.Everything was perfect from day one.
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are discussing their first day at a new job.
- LucasTu aimais ton travail dès le premier jour ?Did you like your job from day one?
- ManonOui, j'ai adoré mon premier jour.Yes, I loved my first day.
- LucasC'est génial pour toi, Manon.That is great for you, Manon.
- ManonMerci, Lucas, je suis très contente.Thanks, Lucas, I am very happy.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jour, premier, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
