à mi-chemin
The English phrase "halfway there" is translated into French as à mi-chemin.
The phrase à mi-chemin can be used both for physical distance and for progress in a task or process.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition à (at), the noun mi (half) and the noun chemin (way/path).
Did you know?
- The word chemin in à mi-chemin can also describe a decorative piece of fabric used on a dining table called a chemin de table.
- The prefix mi- used in mi-chemin is a direct descendant of the Latin word 'medius', which is also the ancestor of the English word 'middle'.
- While à mi-chemin describes a point in space or a process, if you want to say you are halfway through a book or a movie, French speakers often use the word moitié, as in j'en suis à la moitié.
Examples in context
- Vous avez fait la moitié du chemin pour accomplir votre objectif. Continuez comme ça!You have done half of the journey to achieve your goal. Keep it up!
- Nous sommes à mi-chemin.We are halfway there.
- Nous sommes à mi-chemin du voyage.We are halfway through the trip.
- Je suis à mi-chemin de l'objectif.I am halfway to the goal.
- L'escalade est difficile, mais nous sommes à mi-chemin.The climb is difficult, but we are halfway there.
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are hiking up a mountain.
- LéaEst-ce qu'on est bientôt arrivés ?Are we almost there?
- GabrielNon, nous sommes seulement à mi-chemin.No, we are only halfway there.
- LéaOh, je suis vraiment fatiguée.Oh, I am really tired.
- GabrielCourage Léa, on peut y arriver !Hang in there Léa, we can do it!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mi-chemin, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
