Welcome to our guide on how to say school grades in French! Whether you’re a student or simply interested in the French education system, this article will provide you with a comprehensive list of school grades vocabulary in both formal and informal contexts. We’ll also include some additional tips and examples to help you navigate this topic with ease. So let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Express School Grades
In formal contexts, such as official documents or formal conversations, it’s important to use the appropriate language to express school grades. Here are some commonly used terms:
1. Elementary School
Elementary school grades in France are typically divided into five levels: CP (Cours Préparatoire), CE1 (Cours Élémentaire 1), CE2 (Cours Élémentaire 2), CM1 (Cours Moyen 1), and CM2 (Cours Moyen 2). These correspond to different grades in the elementary school system.
Example: Mon frère est en CM2 cette année. (My brother is in CM2 this year.)
2. Middle School
Middle school grades in France are known as “collège grades.” There are four levels in collège: 6ème (sixième), 5ème (cinquième), 4ème (quatrième), and 3ème (troisième).
Example: J’ai réussi mon examen de 4ème. (I passed my 4ème exam.)
3. High School
High school grades vary depending on the specific track or stream students choose. Here are some common terms you may encounter:
- Seconde: The first year of high school
- Première: The second-to-last year of high school
- Terminale: The final year of high school
Example: Ma sœur est en Première S. (My sister is in Première S.)
Informal Ways to Talk about School Grades
In informal conversations with friends, family, or classmates, you may come across different phrases to discuss school grades. Here are some common informal expressions:
1. Tout juste (barely)
This expression is often used when someone has received the minimum passing grade or performed just well enough.
Example: J’ai eu tout juste la moyenne en mathématiques. (I barely passed math.)
2. Cartonner (to ace)
Cartonner is an informal expression meaning to excel or ace an exam or a subject.
Example: J’ai cartonné en français cette année. (I aced French this year.)
3. Ramasser (to fail miserably)
Ramasser is used when someone fails or performs very poorly in a particular subject.
Example: Je vais ramasser en histoire, je n’ai rien compris. (I’m going to fail miserably in history, I didn’t understand anything.)
Regional Variations
The vocabulary for school grades may slightly vary in different regions in France or French-speaking countries. However, the formal terms mentioned previously are widely understood across the French-speaking world. If you’re in a specific region, it’s always good to ask locals about any regional variations they may use.
Additional Tips
Mentioning the Subject
In French, it’s common to mention the subject along with the grade to provide more context. For example:
Example: J’ai obtenu un 18 en mathématiques. (I got an 18 in mathematics.)
Giving a Range
When expressing a range of grades, you can use “entre” (between) to indicate the lowest and highest grades achieved.
Example: J’ai eu entre 14 et 16 en français. (I got between 14 and 16 in French.)
Using the Verb “Avoir” (to have)
In French, school grades are often described using the verb “avoir” (to have) instead of the verb “être” (to be) as in English.
Example: J’ai 13 en physique. (I have a 13 in physics.)
Be Mindful of Gender and Number
When you describe a grade, remember to make it agree with the gender and number of the subject. For example:
Example: J’ai une bonne note en biologie. (I have a good grade in biology, feminine singular noun)
We hope this guide has helped you understand how to say school grades in French. Remember to adapt your language depending on the context, formal or informal, and always consider the regional variations when necessary. With these phrases and tips, you’ll be able to discuss school grades confidently in French. Bonne chance!
