midi
/mi.di/
The English phrase 'midday' is translated into French as midi.
The word midi refers both to the specific time of 12:00 PM and to the general period of midday.
Which one should you use?
In English, 'midday' is typically used as a noun or adverb. In French, midi functions as a noun to indicate the time of day or as a reference to a geographic area.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /mi.di/ and consists of 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The phrase midi pile is used to mean 'exactly 12:00'. The word pile literally means 'stack' or 'pile' but functions here as 'precisely'.
- In France, le Midi is used as a proper noun to refer to the southern region of the country. It captures the essence of the sunny Provence and Languedoc areas.
- French speakers often use midi to refer to the lunch hour itself rather than just the clock time. Telling someone je mange à midi often means they are eating during the midday break.
Examples in context
- Il est midi chez moi.It's midday here.This sentence is useful for stating the current time at your location using midi.Tatoeba #9173047 by Julien_PDC, translation #11051725 by sundown
- Je rappellerai à midi.I'll ring back at midday.This sentence is useful for expressing a plan to call back at midi.Tatoeba #522475 by sacredceltic, translation #455863 by lukaszpp
- Il était environ midi.It was about midday.This sentence is useful for describing a time that was approximately midi.Tatoeba #1431597 by nimfeo, translation #11094035 by sundown
- La pause déjeuner commence à 12 heures précisesThe lunch break starts at 12 o'clock sharp
- On se voit à midi!Let's meet at midday!
- Le cours débutera à midi précis, veuillez être ponctuel.The course will start at precisely midday, please be punctual.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are planning their lunch break at work.
- ManonTu veux déjeuner avec moi ?Do you want to have lunch with me?
- LucasOui, on se retrouve à midi ?Yes, shall we meet at midday?
- ManonC'est parfait pour moi.That is perfect for me.
- LucasÀ midi devant le parc alors.See you at midday in front of the park then.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry midi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
