ces derniers temps
The English phrase 'lately' is translated into French as ces derniers temps.
ces derniers temps means 'lately' or 'recently', referring to the period of time leading up to the present. In informal speech, you may also hear en ce moment, which literally means 'at the moment' but can be used to convey the same idea of 'lately'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ces derniers temps literally translates to 'these last times'.
Which one should you use?
While both ces derniers temps and dernièrement can mean 'lately' or 'recently', they are used differently. ces derniers temps refers to a continuous recent period, whereas dernièrement is often used to refer to a specific recent event or a single point in the recent past.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because ces derniers temps refers to a period of time leading up to now, it is typically used with the present tense (présent) in French, whereas English often uses the present perfect.
Did you know?
- While 'lately' refers to time, the word temps in the phrase ces derniers temps is also the word for 'weather'.
- The word temps shares a direct ancestor with the English word 'tempo'. Both derive from the Latin tempus, which originally referred to a division of time or a season.
- French has no single-word equivalent for 'lately' that works in every context. Speakers must choose between dernièrement for a specific point and ces derniers temps for a duration, whereas English uses 'lately' for both.
Examples in context
- Il a grossi ces derniers temps.He's put on weight lately.This sentence is useful for showing how the phrase describes a change over a period of time with ces derniers temps.Tatoeba #932049 by sacredceltic, translation #8836938 by sundown
- Où étais-tu ces derniers temps ?Where have you been lately?This sentence uses ces derniers temps to ask about someone's recent whereabouts.Tatoeba #2159315 by sacredceltic, translation #1886609 by CK
- Qu'as-tu fait ces derniers temps ?What have you been up to lately?This sentence uses ces derniers temps to ask about recent activities.Tatoeba #551874 by sacredceltic, translation #551091 by darinmex
- Ces derniers temps, il fait très chaudLately, it has been very hot
- J'ai vu ce film récemmentI saw that movie lately/recently
- Je suis très occupé en ce momentI have been busy lately/at the moment
- Est-ce que tu as parlé à Pierre récemment ?Have you spoken to Pierre lately/recently?
- Les gens voyagent moins ces derniers temps en raison de la situation actuelle.People are traveling less lately/recently due to the current situation.
- 55 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are catching up in a cafe.
- HugoComment vas-tu ces derniers temps ?How have you been lately?
- ManonÇa va bien, merci, et toi ?I'm doing well, thanks, and you?
- HugoJe suis un peu occupé ces derniers temps.I have been a bit busy lately.
- ManonJe comprends, courage pour ton travail !I understand, good luck with your work!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries temps, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
