Congratulations on your upcoming engagement! If you’re looking to express this joyous occasion in French, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will explore various ways to say “marriage engagement” in French, including both formal and informal expressions. We will also briefly touch on regional variations, providing tips, and examples along the way. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Marriage Engagement
1. “Fiançailles” – This is the most common and widely recognized formal term for “marriage engagement” in French. It refers to the period before marriage when a couple has officially committed to getting married. For example, you could say, “Nous sommes officiellement en fiançailles” (We are officially engaged).
2. “Promesse de mariage” – This formal expression translates to “promise of marriage.” It conveys the idea that a couple has made a solemn commitment to marry each other. For instance, you might say, “Nous avons échangé des promesses de mariage” (We have exchanged promises of marriage).
Informal Ways to Say Marriage Engagement
1. “Se fiancer” – In informal contexts, French speakers often use the verb “se fiancer” (to get engaged) to refer to a marriage engagement. For example, you could say, “Nous nous sommes fiancés hier soir” (We got engaged last night).
2. “Être sur le point de se marier” – This informal phrase means “to be about to get married.” While not exclusively for engagements, it can be used to express your excitement about the upcoming marriage. For instance, “Nous sommes sur le point de nous marier” (We are about to get married).
Regional Variations
While the above terms are widely used throughout the French-speaking world, it’s worth mentioning a couple of regional variations that exist in certain areas.
1. In Quebec, Canada, the term “les fiançailles” is commonly used to refer to a marriage engagement, much like in French. So, if you find yourself in Quebec, feel free to use this term without any hesitation.
2. In parts of Belgium and Switzerland, the word “les bays” (pronounced bay) is sometimes used in informal contexts to mean “engagement.” It’s more prevalent in these regions and might add a touch of local flavor to your conversation.
Tips for Using these Expressions
1. Pronunciation: To make sure you’re pronouncing these expressions correctly, consider using online pronunciation resources or consult a native French speaker. This will help you sound natural and confident when discussing your engagement in French.
2. Gender Agreement: Remember to adjust the gender of these expressions based on the people involved. For example, “Nous sommes officiellement en fiançailles” would become “Elle et moi sommes officiellement en fiançailles” (She and I are officially engaged).
Examples
“Hier soir, il m’a demandé en mariage et j’ai accepté. Nous sommes désormais en fiançailles !”
(Last night, he proposed to me, and I said yes. We are now officially engaged!)
Informal example:
“Nos familles sont ravies de notre décision. Nous sommes vraiment impatients de nous fiancer !”
(Our families are thrilled with our decision. We are really looking forward to getting engaged!)
In Conclusion
Congratulations once again on your upcoming marriage engagement! Armed with this guide, you now have a variety of ways to express this joyous occasion in French. Whether you opt for the formal expressions like “fiançailles” or informal phrases like “se fiancer,” adapt them to your specific context and embrace the warmth of the French language. May your journey towards marriage be filled with love, happiness, and shared moments!
