How to Say “Deadline” in French

By •
date limite
/dat li.mit/feminine
The English phrase 'deadline' is translated into French as date limite. Wiktionary also lists date butoir and échéance.
Meaning: date on or before which something must be completed (noun)

Ways to say it

“deadline” in French
French IPA Note
date limite /dat li.mit/ feminine
date butoir /dat by.twaʁ/ feminine
échéance /e.ʃe.ɑ̃s/ feminine

All these terms refer to a date on or before which something must be completed.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase date limite is composed of date (date) and limite (limit), literally meaning 'limit date'.

Which one should you use?

While date limite is a general term for a deadline, échéance is more formal and is frequently used in professional, financial or administrative contexts to refer to a due date or a deadline. Date butoir refers specifically to a final, absolute deadline that cannot be extended, often used in legal or administrative contexts.

How does it change in a sentence?

The noun échéance is feminine, so it is preceded by the feminine article une.

What mistakes should you avoid?

Avoid using the English word 'deadline' in French. Although it may be understood in some business circles, it is an anglicism. Instead, use date limite or échéance.

Did you know?

  • The term date butoir uses a word that literally refers to a 'bumper' or a 'stopper', like the metal piece on a railroad track that prevents trains from going too far.
  • The word échéance shares a root with the Latin word 'cadere', meaning 'to fall'. This implies that a deadline is the moment when a time period 'falls' or expires.
  • In French, échéance is also used in finance to describe the maturity date of a bond or a loan. It marks the specific moment when a payment 'falls' due.

Examples in context

  • Nous avons une échéance.
    We have a deadline.
    This sentence shows how to state that you have a deadline using échéance.
    Tatoeba #7763103 by sacredceltic, translation #2548511 by CK
  • Il a raté la date limite.
    He missed the deadline.
    This sentence shows how to say someone missed the deadline using date limite.
    Tatoeba #1737802 by sacredceltic, translation #1737139 by Spamster
  • La date limite se rapproche.
    The deadline is drawing near.
    This sentence shows how to say the deadline is approaching using date limite.
    Tatoeba #335293 by TRANG, translation #243960 by CK
  • N'oubliez pas, la date limite pour soumettre ce projet est le 15 juillet.
    Don't forget, the deadline to submit this project is July 15th.
  • Veuillez compléter le travail avant la date butoir .
    Please complete the work before the deadline.
  • Je vais essayer de terminer cette tâche dans les délais impartis.
    I will try to finish this task within the given deadline.
  • J'ai un boulot de fou à finir avant la date butoir .
    I have a crazy amount of work to finish before the deadline.
  • 31 more sentences on Tatoeba

Example conversation

Emma and Hugo are discussing a work assignment in an office.

  1. Emma

    Hugo, quelle est la date limite pour ce dossier ?
    Hugo, what is the deadline for this file?
  2. Hugo

    C'est vendredi prochain, Emma.
    It is next Friday, Emma.
  3. Emma

    C'est un peu court pour moi.
    That is a bit short for me.
  4. Hugo

    Je comprends, je vais demander un délai.
    I understand, I will ask for an extension.

Sources

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Edith Brittany
Edith BrittanyHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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