mi-temps
The English phrase 'halftime' is translated into French as mi-temps.
mi-temps is used to refer to the interval between the two halves of a sports game, such as in football (soccer). Note that if you are referring to an interval in a theater performance or a concert, you should use the word entracte instead.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a compound of mi- (half) and temps (time).
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun mi-temps is feminine, so it is preceded by the feminine article la to say 'the halftime' (la mi-temps). To say 'at halftime', use the prepositional phrase à la mi-temps.
Did you know?
- Beyond sports, mi-temps describes a part-time job or a part-time employee. A person working twenty hours a week in a forty-hour workweek is said to be à mi-temps.
- In French, the word temps covers both 'time' as a duration and 'weather'. While mi-temps refers to time, the same word is used in expressions like quel temps fait-il to ask about the weather.
- The word temps is a direct descendant of the Latin 'tempus'. This makes it a distant cousin to English words like 'tempo' and 'temporary'.
Examples in context
- Quel était le score à la mi-temps ?What was the score at halftime?This sentence is useful for asking about the score at the mi-temps.Tatoeba #778965 by U2FS, translation #35602 by CK
- Nous avons une pause de vingt minutes à la mi-temps du match.We have a twenty-minute break at halftime of the match.
- Nous sommes en tête à la mi-temps !We are leading at halftime!
- La mi-temps est le moment idéal pour analyser la performance de l'équipe jusqu'à présent.Halftime is the perfect time to analyze the team's performance so far.
- Le score à la mi-temps est de deux à zéro.The score at halftime is two to zero.
- Les joueurs se reposent pendant la mi-temps.The players are resting during halftime.
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are watching a football match at home.
- ChloéOn est à la mi-temps, Nathan.It is halftime, Nathan.
- NathanOui, et l'équipe joue très bien.Yes, and the team is playing very well.
- ChloéTu veux prendre un verre à la mi-temps ?Do you want a drink at halftime?
- NathanBonne idée, Chloé.Good idea, Chloé.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mi-temps, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
