sixième
/si.zjɛm/
The English phrase "sixth grade" is translated into French as sixième.
sixième refers to the school grade that follows fifth grade and precedes seventh grade. In a school context, students and teachers often drop the word 'classe' and simply say la sixième to refer to the grade level.
Meaning: period in school that comes after fifth grade and before seventh grade (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables and is pronounced /si.zjɛm/.
When do people say it?
In France, sixth grade marks the transition from primary school to secondary school. In the French education system, la sixième is the first year of 'le collège' (middle school). Le CM2 corresponds to the final year of primary school in France.
Did you know?
- While English counts 'grades' upward from first, the French system counts downward toward the end of a cycle. In France, sixième is the highest number for the first year of middle school because students are counting down to their final year, troisième.
- In many French-speaking parts of Canada, specifically Quebec, the term sixième année is used, but it refers to a level of primary school rather than the start of middle school as it does in France.
- The transition to sixième is often marked by the purchase of a 'cartable', a traditional sturdy backpack. While used in primary school, the size and style of the 'cartable' often change to accommodate the heavier workload of the first year of collège.
Examples in context
- Mon fils est en sixième annéeMy son is in sixth grade
- Je suis professeur de la classe de sixièmeI am the teacher of the sixth grade class
- J'ai un frère qui est en CM2I have a brother in sixth grade
- Ma sœur entre en sixièmeMy sister is entering sixth grade
- Je suis en sixièmeI am in sixth grade
- Est-ce que ton fils a commencé le CM2?Has your son started sixth grade?
- Je suis en sixième cette année.I am in sixth grade this year.
- Elle entre en sixième à la rentrée.She is entering sixth grade in September.
- Le programme de sixième est assez difficile.The sixth grade curriculum is quite difficult.
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their school level during a break.
- NathanTu es en quelle classe ?What grade are you in?
- LéaJe suis en sixième, et toi ?I am in sixth grade, and you?
- NathanMoi aussi, je suis en sixième.Me too, I am in sixth grade.
- LéaSuper, on est dans la même classe !Great, we are in the same class!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sixième, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
