Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “junior high school” in French! Whether you’re a student, parent, or simply curious about French vocabulary, we’ll explore the various terms and expressions used to refer to junior high school in a formal and informal context. We’ll also touch upon any regional variations that may exist. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
1. Formal Ways to Say Junior High School in French
In formal settings and standard French, the term “junior high school” can be translated as:
Collège
Collège is the commonly used term for “junior high school” throughout France. It encompasses Grades 6 through 9, generally serving students between the ages of 11 and 15. Here are a few examples of using collège in sentences:
- Mon frère aîné est élève au collège. (My older brother is a student at junior high school.)
- Elle étudie beaucoup pour réussir son brevet de collège. (She is studying hard to pass her junior high school diploma.)
2. Informal Ways to Say Junior High School in French
Informally, French speakers also use a few different terms to refer to junior high school:
Collège / Collège / Colle
The term collège is used both formally and informally. Sometimes, it may be shortened to “collège” or “colle” in informal conversations. It’s important to note that these variations are more commonly found in spoken French rather than written contexts. Here’s an example:
- Je vais en sixième cette année, je rentre au collège ! (I’m going into sixth grade this year, I’m going to junior high school!)
3. Regional Variations
While collège is the prevailing term for junior high school across France, some regions have their own regional variations:
Brevet des collèges
In certain regions, such as Brittany and Normandy, you may come across the expression “Brevet des collèges.” Although it refers to the diploma obtained at the end of junior high school, it is sometimes informally used to refer to the school itself. Here’s an example:
- Mon fils est tellement excité d’obtenir son Brevet des collèges cette année ! (My son is so excited to get his junior high school diploma this year!)
Conclusion
So there you have it! Now you know how to say “junior high school” in French, both formally and informally. Remember, the most commonly used term is “collège” in standard French. Keep in mind that regional variations do exist, so you may come across expressions like “Brevet des collèges” in specific areas of France. Use these terms confidently to navigate the world of French education or to simply expand your vocabulary. Bonne chance!
