leçons
The English word "lessons" is translated into French as leçons.
leçons refers to specific periods of time during which a person is taught a particular subject. It is also used in the idiomatic expression donner des leçons, which means to lecture or preach to someone in a condescending or moralizing manner.
Which one should you use?
While leçons refers to the specific instructional periods or the content being taught, the word cours is more commonly used when referring to an entire course or a scheduled class session, such as un cours de français.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word leçons is the plural form used for multiple lessons, following the standard rule of adding an s to the singular form.
Did you know?
- The word leçon shares a root with the word lecture, as both come from the Latin lectio meaning 'a reading'.
- If you are being patronized, you might hear someone complain about leçons de morale, which translates to 'lessons of morality' but functions as a way to call someone a preachy hypocrite.
- In French, the word leçon can describe a piece of music written specifically for a student to practice, regardless of whether a teacher is present.
Examples in context
- Garde tes leçons pour toi.Keep your lessons to yourself.This sentence shows how to use leçons when telling someone to keep their information to themselves.Tatoeba #13472136 by Rovo, translation #13807494 by tieguy
- Tom a pris des leçons de ski.Tom took ski lessons.This sentence uses leçons to describe taking ski lessons.Tatoeba #6580240 by GB3, translation #6579362 by Hybrid
- Je prends des leçons de danse.I've been taking dancing lessons.This sentence uses leçons to describe taking dancing lessons.Tatoeba #6895396 by Rockaround, translation #2359250 by CK
- Je suis inscrit à des cours de français.I am enrolled in French lessons.
- Le professeur donne des cours très instructifs.The teacher gives very instructive lessons.
- J'ai besoin de prendre des leçons de mathématiques.I need to take math lessons.
- Les élèves apprennent de nouvelles leçons chaque jour.The students learn new lessons every day.
- J'ai pris des cours particuliers pour améliorer mon français.I took private lessons to improve my French.
- Mon frère donne des cours particuliers de guitare.My brother gives private guitar lessons.
- Assister à des leçons magistrales est souvent ennuyeux.Attending lectures is often boring.
- Le professeur a donné une leçon magistrale sur l'histoire de France.The professor gave a lecture on French history.
- J'adore mes cours de français, ils sont très intéressants.I love my French lessons, they are very interesting.
- Demain, j'ai une leçon de piano à 16 heures.Tomorrow, I have a piano lesson at 4 p.m.
- Ma sœur donne des cours de danse dans une école renommée.My sister gives dance lessons in a renowned school.
- En été, je prends des cours particuliers de surf.In summer, I take private surf lessons.
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are discussing their school schedule.
- HugoTu as beaucoup de leçons aujourd'hui ?Do you have a lot of lessons today?
- LéaOui, j'ai quatre leçons avant midi.Yes, I have four lessons before noon.
- HugoMes leçons commencent plus tard.My lessons start later.
- LéaC'est super, profite bien de ton temps !That's great, enjoy your time!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
