premier janvier
January first in French is premier janvier.
This phrase refers to the first day of the month of January.
Which one should you use?
In French, you only use the ordinal form premier for the first day of a month. For all subsequent days, you use regular cardinal numbers, such as deux for the second.
How does it change in a sentence?
In written French, the word premier is abbreviated as 1er when it is part of a date.
Did you know?
- Unlike English, where 'January' is always capitalized, the month janvier is written in lowercase in modern standard French.
- The name janvier comes from the Latin god Janus, who is depicted with two faces looking toward the past and the future. This symbolizes the transition between the old and new years.
- The celebration of premier janvier is traditionally linked to les étrennes, which are customary gifts given to service workers or children.
Examples in context
- La réunion aura lieu le premier janvier.The meeting will take place on January first.
- On se voit le 1er janvier pour célébrer le Nouvel An!Let's meet on January first to celebrate New Year's!
- C'est le premier janvier.It is January first.
- On se voit le premier janvier ?Shall we see each other on January first?
Example conversation
Two friends are planning a New Year's celebration.
- NathanTu es libre le premier janvier ?Are you free on January first?
- ChloéOui, je n'ai rien de prévu.Yes, I have nothing planned.
- NathanOn pourrait fêter ça ensemble.We could celebrate it together.
- ChloéC'est une excellente idée, Nathan !That's an excellent idea, Nathan!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries janvier, premier, CC BY-SA 4.0.
