journée de neige
The English phrase "snow day" can be translated into French as journée de neige.
While journée de neige is a literal translation, it is more commonly used to describe a day characterized by snowfall rather than a specific school closure due to weather.
Meaning: day off from school (noun)
Which one should you use?
Depending on your goal, you may choose different expressions. Use journée de neige for a day with snow, but use école fermée à cause de la neige to practically communicate that school is closed due to the weather. For a formal way to express a "day off due to snow", use Jour de congé en raison de la neige.
Did you know?
- In France, school closures for snow are rare compared to North America, so there is no single, punchy word for 'snow day' like in English.
- The word neige replaced an earlier Old French word, noif, which came from the Latin nix.
- French speakers often use the word intempéries to formally group snow days with other weather-related closures like floods or storms.
Examples in context
- Demain, c'est un jour de congé en raison de la neige. On pourra en profiter pour faire du ski!Tomorrow is a snow day. We can take advantage of it to go skiing!
- Oh, regarde! Il neige! Peut-être qu'on aura une journée sans école à cause de la neige!Oh, look! It's snowing! Maybe we'll have a snow day!
Example conversation
Two students are checking their phones in the morning.
- LucasRegarde, Léa ! On a une journée de neige.Look, Léa! We have a snow day.
- LéaC'est vrai ? Je suis trop contente !Really? I am so happy!
- LucasOn peut aller faire du ski alors.We can go skiing then.
- LéaOui, Lucas, on y va tout de suite.Yes, Lucas, let's go right now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, journée, neige, CC BY-SA 4.0.
