ma matière préférée est
The English phrase "my favorite subject is" is translated into French as ma matière préférée est.
This phrase is used to introduce the school subject that a person likes the most.
Which one should you use?
In French, matière is the standard term for an academic subject in a school curriculum, whereas sujet often refers to a topic of discussion.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you use the word sujet instead of matière, the possessive pronoun and adjective must change to the masculine forms mon and préféré.
Did you know?
- The word est is almost a linguistic miracle. It is the only common word in modern French where a silent internal 's' is preserved from its Latin roots, surviving alongside the name 'Jésus-Christ'.
- The word matière can also be used in the phrase matière à réflexion, which means 'food for thought' literally translated as 'material for reflection'.
- The word matière shares its origins with the English word 'material'. In French, it has evolved to represent the 'substance' or 'matter' of an academic field of study.
Examples in context
- Ma matière préférée est la littératureMy favorite subject is literature
- Ma matière préf' c'est les mathsMy favorite subject is math
- Ma matière préférée est l'histoire.My favorite subject is history.
- Ma matière préférée est la géographie.My favorite subject is geography.
- Ma matière préférée est la biologie.My favorite subject is biology.
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their school classes.
- LéaQuelle est ta matière préférée, Gabriel ?What is your favorite subject, Gabriel?
- GabrielMa matière préférée est le sport.My favorite subject is PE.
- LéaAh bon ? Moi, c'est les mathématiques.Really? For me, it's mathematics.
- GabrielC'est courageux, Léa !That's brave, Léa!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries est, ma, matière, CC BY-SA 4.0.
