hiver
/i.vɛʁ/
hiver is the French word for winter.
hiver refers to the coldest season of the year, occurring between autumn and spring. It is the most commonly used and neutral term for winter in French.
Which one should you use?
While hiver is the standard term, the phrase Saison hivernale is typically used in official contexts or when referring to winter as it relates to climate patterns.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because hiver begins with a silent 'h', the definite article le elides to l’ before it, resulting in l'hiver for 'the winter'. To say 'in winter', use the preposition en directly before the word without an article, creating the phrase en hiver.
How do you pronounce it?
/i.vɛʁ/
Did you know?
- The term hiver is derived from the Late Latin hībernum, which originally described the winter quarters where soldiers stayed.
- While hiver is the season, the French use the word hivernage to describe the specific process of protecting plants or equipment from winter damage.
Examples in context
- Je préfère la saison hivernale pour la pratique des sports de glisse.I prefer the winter season for practicing winter sports.
- Les paysages enneigés de l'hiver sont toujours enchanteurs.The snow-covered landscapes of winter are always enchanting.
- L'hiver est génial pour passer des soirées au coin du feu.Winter is great for spending evenings by the fire.
- Il neige en hiver.It snows in winter.
- J'adore la neige en hiver.I love the snow in winter.
- Il fait très froid cet hiver.It is very cold this winter.
- Nous partons en voyage cet hiver.We are going on a trip this winter.
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are talking about the weather while walking outside.
- LéaL'hiver arrive bientôt.Winter is coming soon.
- LucasOui, il va faire froid.Yes, it is going to be cold.
- LéaTu aimes l'hiver, Lucas ?Do you like winter, Lucas?
- LucasNon, je préfère l'été.No, I prefer summer.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry hiver, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hiver, CC BY-SA 4.0.
