élève de première
The English phrase 'junior in high school' is translated into French as élève de première.
The term première refers to the penultimate year of high school in France and a few other French-speaking countries.
Which one should you use?
While élève de première is used for a junior, the equivalent for a sophomore (the second year of high school) is élève de seconde.
When do people say it?
The term refers to a student in the second-to-last year of the French high school system (lycée), which corresponds to the American 'junior' year.
Did you know?
- While élève is the general word for student, university students in France are called étudiants, and the two terms are rarely swapped.
- The term lycée, where an élève de première studies, is named after the ancient Greek 'Lyceum', the school founded by Aristotle.
- The word élève comes from the verb élever, which means 'to raise' or 'to elevate'. This suggests that a student is someone being lifted up intellectually.
Examples in context
- Je suis élève de première cette année.I am a junior in high school this year.
- Je suis en avant-dernière année de lycée.I am in the penultimate year of high school, equivalent to a junior.
- Mon frère est élève de première.My brother is a junior in high school.
- Elle est élève de première cette année.She is a junior in high school this year.
- Un élève de première doit réviser.A junior in high school must study.
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are discussing their younger siblings at a cafe.
- ChloéEst-ce que ton frère est encore élève de première ?Is your brother still a junior in high school?
- NathanOui, il est élève de première maintenant.Yes, he is a junior in high school now.
- ChloéC'est une année difficile pour lui ?Is it a difficult year for him?
- NathanOui, il a beaucoup de devoirs.Yes, he has a lot of homework.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, élève, CC BY-SA 4.0.
