fête du Travail
Labor Day in French is fête du Travail.
While fête du Travail is the direct translation for the US holiday marking the end of summer, it is common in a French context to specify la fête du Travail américaine to avoid confusion with the May 1st holiday.
Meaning: US holiday marking the end of summer (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of fête (festival or holiday), du (of the) and Travail (work or labor).
Which one should you use?
In France and many other Francophone countries, la fête du Travail refers to the May 1st holiday rather than the US holiday.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Canada, Labor Day is referred to as La Fête du Travail, while in Belgium, it is referred to as La Fête des Travailleurs.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun fête is feminine, so it is preceded by the feminine article la.
Did you know?
- The word travail comes from the Late Latin word tripālium, which described a torture device made of three stakes.
- In France, la fête du Travail is traditionally celebrated by giving lilies of the valley, or muguet, to loved ones and strangers.
- The word travail was once used to describe the intense pain and suffering of childbirth, reflecting its origin as a word for suffering.
Examples in context
- En Angleterre, la fête du travail est en mai.In England, Labor Day is in May.This sentence is useful for noting that in England, la fête du Travail occurs in May.Tatoeba #836898 by U2FS, translation #26161 by CK
- Les États-Unis ont leur propre Fête du Travail pour décourager l’internationalisme prolétarien.America has its own Labor Day to discourage proletarian internationalism.This sentence illustrates the use of fête du Travail when discussing the specific American holiday.Tatoeba #12061789 by Rovo, translation #12036922 by shekitten
- Nous célébrons la Fête du Travail chaque premier lundi de septembre.We celebrate Labor Day every first Monday of September.
- La Journée Internationale des Travailleurs est une occasion de célébrer les droits des travailleurs dans le monde entier.International Workers' Day is an opportunity to celebrate the rights of workers worldwide.
- On se retrouve chez moi pour la Fête du Premier Mai ?Shall we meet at my place for Labor Day?
- Tu fais quelque chose de spécial pour le 1er Mai ?Are you doing anything special for Labor Day?
- La fête du Travail est un jour férié aux États-Unis.Labor Day is a public holiday in the United States.
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are talking about their upcoming long weekend.
- HugoTu fais quelque chose pour la fête du Travail ?Are you doing anything for Labor Day?
- ChloéOui, je vais faire un barbecue avec des amis.Yes, I am going to have a barbecue with friends.
- HugoC'est une excellente idée pour profiter de la fin de l'été.That is a great idea to enjoy the end of summer.
- ChloéExactement, j'espère qu'il fera beau.Exactly, I hope the weather will be nice.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries du, fête, travail, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
