il fait froid
The English phrase 'it is cold' is translated into French as il fait froid.
il fait froid is used to describe the temperature of the weather or the environment. While il fait froid describes the general state of the weather, the noun froid specifically refers to 'cold'.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, il fait froid translates to 'it makes cold'.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say il est froid to describe the weather. Instead, use il fait froid. Using il est froid would instead imply that a specific object, such as a stone or a person, is cold to the touch.
Did you know?
- To express that it is 'very' cold, instead of just adding an adverb, French speakers often use il fait un froid de canard, which means 'it makes a cold of a duck'.
- If you want to say you are personally feeling cold, you should not use il fait froid. Instead, you say j'ai froid, which literally translates to 'I have cold'.
- The word froid has a distant cousin in English, the word 'frigid'. Both words trace their ancestry back to the Latin 'frīgidus'.
Examples in context
- Il fait froid là-bas, même l'été.It is cold there even in summer.This sentence is useful for using il fait froid to describe a location and a season.Tatoeba #431944 by qdii, translation #50904 by BE
- Il fait froid dehors aujourd'hui.It is cold outside today.This sentence is useful for using il fait froid to describe the weather outside today.Tatoeba #3258620 by Aiji, translation #3258621 by CM
- Il fait froid, là-bas, même en été !It is cold there, even in summer.This sentence is useful for using il fait froid to emphasize the cold in a specific location and season.Tatoeba #3446073 by sacredceltic, translation #3445701 by siener
- Il fait froid aujourd'hui.It is cold today.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are looking out the window at the snowy street.
- GabrielRegarde, il fait froid dehors.Look, it is cold outside.
- ManonOui, il fait très froid.Yes, it is very cold.
- GabrielMets ton manteau, Manon.Put on your coat, Manon.
- ManonD'accord, je vais le prendre.Okay, I will take it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fait, froid, il, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
