cours particulier
In French, 'private lesson' is cours particulier.
This phrase refers to a teaching session where a tutor works with a single student. To express the act of providing these lessons, use the phrase donner des cours particuliers (to give private lessons). If you are the student receiving the lessons, use prendre des cours particuliers (to take private lessons).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cours particulier literally means 'particular lesson', where particulier means 'particular' or 'private' in this context to indicate the lesson is for a specific individual.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In France, it is common to use the phrase Cours particuliers à domicile to specify that private lessons are held at home.
How does it change in a sentence?
cours particulier is a masculine noun phrase, so it uses the masculine indefinite article un (un cours particulier). To form the plural, add an 's' to both the noun and the adjective: cours particuliers.
Did you know?
- The word cours remains spelled with an 's' at the end whether it is singular or plural, making it impossible to tell the number by the noun alone.
- In France, cours particuliers are so common that there are dedicated national platforms and specialized agencies that act as brokers between tutors and students.
- The word cours shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'course', both tracing back to the Latin 'cursus', which refers to a running or a path.
Examples in context
- Mon fils prend des leçons particulières en mathématiques.My son takes private math lessons.
- J'ai besoin de prendre des cours particuliers de français pour améliorer ma prononciation.I need to take private French lessons to improve my pronunciation.
- J'ai trouvé quelqu'un qui donne des cours particuliers d'anglais.I found someone who gives private English lessons.
- Je vais suivre des leçons privées de danse cet été.I'm going to take private dance lessons this summer.
- J'ai engagé un tuteur pour donner des cours particuliers à domicile à mes enfants.I hired a tutor to give private lessons at home to my children.
- Je cherche un cours particulier de mathématiques.I am looking for a private math lesson.
- Elle donne un cours particulier de piano le samedi.She gives a private piano lesson on Saturdays.
Example conversation
Léa asks Nathan about his schedule for the week.
- NathanTu es libre demain soir ?Are you free tomorrow evening?
- LéaNon, j'ai un cours particulier d'anglais.No, I have a private English lesson.
- NathanC'est avec un professeur particulier ?Is it with a private tutor?
- LéaOui, c'est un cours particulier très efficace.Yes, it is a very effective private lesson.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cours, particulier, CC BY-SA 4.0.
