première
/pʁə.mjɛʁ/
The English phrase "eleventh grade" is translated into French as première.
première is used to refer to the eleventh grade in the French education system.
Meaning: Translations (noun)
Which one should you use?
While première is typically used to describe a student's status, if you are referring to the specific academic level or the physical class itself, you should use la classe de première.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the term cinquième secondaire is used to refer to eleventh grade.
How does it change in a sentence?
To state that you are currently in the eleventh grade, use the preposition en before the noun, as in en première.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of première is /pʁə.mjɛʁ/. It consists of 2 syllables.
When do people say it?
In the French education system, première is the penultimate year of high school (lycée), which occurs after seconde and before terminale.
Did you know?
- In France, the word première literally means 'first', yet it refers to the second-to-last year of high school. This is because the system counts down the years remaining until the final exam.
- While première is the grade level, the term première is also used in French theater to describe the opening night of a play.
- Students in première take a specific national exam called the épreuves anticipées de français. This allows them to earn a portion of their final diploma a year before they actually graduate.
Examples in context
- Je suis en première.I'm in the eleventh grade.This sentence is useful for stating that you are currently in première.Tatoeba #3643515 by gillux, translation #2780649 by CK
- Mon fils est en classe de seconde cette année.My son is in eleventh grade this year.
- Elle étudie en seconde au Lycée Saint-Exupéry.She studies in eleventh grade at Saint-Exupéry High School.
- Tu es en première cette année, n'est-ce pas ?You're in eleventh grade this year, aren't you?
- Mes amis sont tous en première.All my friends are in eleventh grade.
- Ma sœur est en première cette année.My sister is in eleventh grade this year.
- Il est en première au lycée.He is in eleventh grade at high school.
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their school levels.
- LucasTu es en quelle classe, Chloé ?What grade are you in, Chloé?
- ChloéJe suis en première, et toi ?I am in eleventh grade, and you?
- LucasMoi aussi, je suis en première !Me too, I am in eleventh grade!
- ChloéC'est super, on est dans la même année.That's great, we are in the same year.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry première, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
