Bonjour! If you’ve been wondering how to say “PM” in French, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways of expressing “PM” in French, along with some tips, examples, and even a few regional variations. So, let’s dive right in!
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Formal Ways to Say “PM” in French
When it comes to formal situations, there are a few different ways to say “PM” in French. Here are the most commonly used expressions:
- Après-midi – This is the most common and straightforward way to say “PM” in French. It literally means “afternoon.” For example, you could say “Il arrivera à deux heures de l’après-midi” which means “He will arrive at two o’clock PM.”
- Dans l’après-midi – This expression is also formal and means “in the afternoon.” It is often used when referring to an event or activity that will happen during the PM hours. For instance, “La réunion est prévue dans l’après-midi” means “The meeting is scheduled in the afternoon.”
- Dans la soirée – Although this phrase translates to “in the evening,” it is sometimes used in French to refer to the late PM hours. For instance, “Le spectacle débutera dans la soirée” means “The show will start in the evening (PM).”
Informal Ways to Say “PM” in French
When it comes to informal situations, the French language offers more casual ways to express “PM.” Here are a few options:
- L’aprèm – This is a shortened version of “l’après-midi” and is commonly used among friends or in informal conversations. For example, you might say “On se voit à deux heures de l’aprèm” which means “See you at two o’clock PM.”
- Cet après – Another informal expression, “cet après” is a shortened form of “cet après-midi.” It’s commonly used in spoken language. For instance, you could say “Je t’appelle cet après” to mean “I’ll call you this afternoon (PM).”
- En fin d’après-midi – This expression means “late afternoon” and is often used to refer to the later PM hours. It’s a more casual way to indicate the timing. For instance, “Le cours se termine en fin d’après-midi” means “The class ends in the late afternoon (PM).”
Regional Variations in Saying “PM” in French
While the previous expressions are commonly used throughout the French-speaking world, there are some regional variations worth mentioning:
Dans l’p.m. – This expression is a regional variation used in some parts of Canada. It’s a casual way of saying “in the PM.” For example, “Le rendez-vous est prévu dans l’p.m.” means “The appointment is scheduled in the PM.”
These regional variations are not widely known or used outside of specific areas, but they showcase the diversity of the French language.
Conclusion
Now you know how to say “PM” in French! Remember, in formal situations, you can use “après-midi” or “dans l’après-midi,” while in informal conversations, “l’aprèm” or “cet après” are more suitable. Additionally, “en fin d’après-midi” is a casual way to refer to the late PM hours. Keep in mind that regional variations exist, such as “dans l’p.m.” in some parts of Canada.
Practice using these expressions in context, and you’ll soon become comfortable discussing PM hours in French. Bonne continuation!
