How to Say “It Is Windy” in French

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il y a du vent
To say "it is windy" in French, you say il y a du vent.
The phrase il y a du vent is used to describe the weather when the air is moving outdoors. If you want to specify that it is very windy, you should use il y a beaucoup de vent.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase il y a du vent literally translates to "there is some wind".

How does it change in a sentence?

In English, you use the dummy subject "it" with an adjective to describe the weather. In French, you use the impersonal construction il y a (there is) followed by the noun vent (wind). When expressing intensity, note that you use beaucoup de vent to mean "very windy" rather than using an adverb like "très".

What mistakes should you avoid?

Avoid saying il est venteux. Although venteux is a valid adjective, English speakers often mistakenly use it in a literal translation. However, il y a du vent is the much more natural and common way to describe the weather.

Did you know?

  • The y in il y a comes from the Latin word hīc, which means 'here'.
  • French sailors often use specific terms for vent depending on the direction, such as vent arrière for a tailwind, which changes the meaning from a general weather report to a navigation tool.

Examples in context

  • Il y a du vent aujourd'hui.
    It is windy today.
    This sentence shows how to use il y a du vent to describe the weather today.
    Tatoeba #8421 by sacredceltic, translation #242970 by CC
  • Il y a du vent aujourd'hui, n'est-ce pas ?
    It is windy today, isn't it?
    This sentence uses il y a du vent in a question to confirm the weather.
    Tatoeba #7696459 by Maxence, translation #242971 by CK
  • Il y a du vent en automne.
    It is windy in the fall.
    This sentence uses il y a du vent to describe the weather in a specific season.
    Tatoeba #13018360 by Ioan_Cristian, translation #13018351 by Ioan_Cristian
  • Lorsque je suis sorti ce matin, il y avait du vent.
    When I went out this morning, it was windy.
  • Regardez les arbres bouger, le vent souffle fort aujourd'hui.
    Look at the trees moving, the wind is blowing strongly today.
  • Ça souffle vraiment fort aujourd'hui, il vaut mieux rester à l'intérieur.
    It's blowing really hard today, it's better to stay indoors.
  • 1 more sentence on Tatoeba

Example conversation

Lucas and Manon are preparing to go for a walk.

  1. Lucas

    On sort se promener ?
    Shall we go out for a walk?
  2. Manon

    Oui, mais il y a du vent.
    Yes, but it is windy.
  3. Lucas

    Prends ton manteau, Manon.
    Take your coat, Manon.
  4. Manon

    Merci, Lucas. Je le prends.
    Thanks, Lucas. I'll take it.

Sources

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Kristin Tania
Kristin TaniaHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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