quatrième
Eighth grade in French is quatrième.
To refer specifically to the academic level or the class itself, use the phrase la classe de quatrième.
Meaning: period in school (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word quatrième literally means fourth. This is because the French secondary school system counts down from the sixth grade (sixième) rather than counting up from the first.
Which one should you use?
La troisième année du collège is a formal way to express the concept, whereas La troisième is a colloquial way to refer to it.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using huitième to mean eighth grade. Although huitième is the literal translation of the number eight, it is incorrect in the context of the French school system. You should use quatrième instead.
Did you know?
- While quatrième is the standard term, a student in this grade is preparing for the brevet, a national diploma taken at the end of middle school.
- While quatrième identifies the grade, French students often use the word collège to describe the entire school period from sixth to ninth grade, which is a separate building from the école primaire.
- In some French-speaking regions outside of France, the counting system for grades may differ, meaning quatrième might not always align with the eighth grade.
Examples in context
- Je suis en classe de quatrième.I'm in the eighth grade.This sentence is useful for stating which grade you are currently in using quatrième.Tatoeba #12354173 by lbdx, translation #1500186 by CK
- Mon fils est en classe de troisième cette annéeMy son is in eighth grade this year
- Mon petit frère est en troisièmeMy little brother is in eighth grade
- La 3e est souvent considérée comme une étape importante pour les élèves.Eighth grade is often considered an important milestone for students.
- Elle est en quatrième cette année.She is in eighth grade this year.
- Mon frère est en quatrième.My brother is in eighth grade.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their school years.
- ManonTu es en quelle classe ?What grade are you in?
- GabrielJe suis en quatrième.I am in eighth grade.
- ManonAh, ma sœur est aussi en quatrième !Oh, my sister is in eighth grade too!
- GabrielC'est super !That's great!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
