à l'année prochaine
The English phrase "see you next year" is translated into French as à l'année prochaine.
This phrase is used as a way to say goodbye to someone you do not expect to see again until the following year.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, à l'année prochaine means "to the next year".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase à l'année prochaine, the word prochaine is the feminine form of "next" used to agree with the feminine noun année.
Did you know?
- On the night of December 31st, French speakers often use à l'année prochaine as a joke to mean 'see you in a few seconds'.
- The preposition à in this phrase is a unique linguistic hybrid, having evolved from a merger of the Latin words 'ad' and 'ab'.
- The word prochaine comes from the Latin 'proximus', meaning 'nearest', making the phrase literally about the 'nearest year'.
Examples in context
- Bonnes fêtes, à l'année prochaine !Happy holidays, see you next year!
- Je pars en vacances, à l'année prochaine.I am going on vacation, see you next year.
- Au revoir tout le monde, à l'année prochaine !Goodbye everyone, see you next year!
Example conversation
Two colleagues are leaving the office for the winter holiday break.
- GabrielBonnes vacances, Manon !Have a good vacation, Manon!
- ManonMerci Gabriel, à l'année prochaine !Thanks Gabriel, see you next year!
- GabrielÀ l'année prochaine, profite bien.See you next year, enjoy yourself.
- ManonMerci, salut !Thanks, bye!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
