Which one should you use?
The phrase Je suis en 8e. is an informal way to say "I am in 8th grade," whereas Je suis actuellement en huitième année scolaire. is a formal version meaning "I am currently in eighth grade." In certain regions, Je suis en 4e. is a common way to say "I am in quatrième."
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Canadian province of Quebec, the phrase Je suis en secondaire 2. is used to mean "I am in secondary 2."
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly try to use the literal number for eight, such as saying je suis en huitième. In France, you should avoid this and instead use the specific school year designation like 4ème.
When do people say it?
In France, the school system counts down rather than up. Therefore, 4ème (quatrième) corresponds to the 8th year of schooling (roughly 13-14 years old).
Did you know?
- The word suis in je suis en 4ème was influenced by the Latin word 'fuī', which meant 'I was'.
- Because French grades count down, a student in 3ème is actually more advanced and older than a student in 4ème.
Examples in context
- Je suis en 4ème cette année.I am in grade 8 this year.
- Je suis en 4ème au collège.I am in grade 8 at middle school.
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their school year during a break.
- ChloéTu es en quelle classe, Nathan ?What grade are you in, Nathan?
- NathanJe suis en 4ème, et toi ?I am in grade 8, and you?
- ChloéMoi aussi, je suis en 4ème.Me too, I am in grade 8.
- NathanC'est super, on est dans la même classe alors !That's great, we are in the same class then!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 4ème, en, je, suis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
