cours de maths
In French, the English phrase "math class" is translated as cours de maths.
cours de maths refers to a period of time during which students learn mathematics in a school. You may also encounter Le cours de calcul, which can be used to refer specifically to mathematics related to calculations.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cours de maths literally means "class of math", composed of cours (class/course), de (of) and maths (math).
Which one should you use?
While cours de maths is common in conversation, cours de mathématiques is the formal version used in academic or official contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
maths is an abbreviation of mathématiques and is used in informal or everyday speech. Therefore, cours de maths is an informal, shortened form, whereas Le cours de mathématiques is the formal way to say "the math class".
Did you know?
- In a French school context, cours refers to the actual lesson or period of instruction, not the physical classroom.
- In French, the word maths is always plural, even when you are talking about a single subject or one specific 'math class'.
- While English speakers say 'math class', a French person might simply say j'ai maths to mean 'I have math', omitting the word for 'class' entirely in casual speech.
Examples in context
- Le cours de maths d'aujourd'hui était plus intéressant que d'habitude.Today's math class was more interesting than usual.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use cours de maths in a natural context.Tatoeba #11261261 by lbdx, translation #2210668 by CK
- Mon professeur va commencer le cours de mathématiques maintenant.My teacher is going to start the math class now.
- Nous avons deux heures de cours de maths aujourd'hui.We have two hours of math class today.
- J'ai un cours de maths à dix heures.I have a math class at ten o'clock.
- Le cours de maths est dans la salle B.The math class is in room B.
Example conversation
Two students are talking in the hallway between periods.
- LucasChloé, tu as fini le cours de maths ?Chloé, did you finish the math class work?
- ChloéOui, c'était vraiment difficile aujourd'hui.Yes, it was really difficult today.
- LucasJe n'ai pas compris la leçon.I didn't understand the lesson.
- ChloéJe peux t'aider après le cours de maths.I can help you after math class.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
