durée limitée seulement
The English phrase "limited time only" translates to French as durée limitée seulement.
This phrase is used in advertising to show that an offer or sale is available for a short period.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Québécois dialect of Canada, it is common to use Pour un temps limité seulement for both formal and informal situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective limitée must agree in gender with the feminine noun durée, which is why it ends in -ée.
Did you know?
- The adverb seulement comes from the Latin sōlā mente, which literally means 'with a single mind'.
- In many French-speaking regions, particularly in West Africa, advertisements might use different phrasing to emphasize 'urgency' rather than just 'duration' to drive sales.
- While durée refers to the length of time, French often uses it in places where English speakers would use the word 'period', such as 'for a limited period'.
Examples in context
- Offre spéciale pour une durée limitée seulementSpecial offer for a limited time only
- Cette promotion est valable pour un temps limitéThis promotion is valid for a limited time
- Profitez-en, l'offre ne dure pas longtempsTake advantage, the offer doesn't last long
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are looking at a store window.
- LéaRegarde, tout est à moitié prix !Look, everything is half price!
- HugoC'est pour une durée limitée seulement ?Is it for a limited time only?
- LéaOui, ça finit demain soir.Yes, it ends tomorrow evening.
- HugoAlors, entrons vite dans le magasin.Then let's go into the store quickly.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries seulement, CC BY-SA 4.0.
