heure d'étude
feminine
In French, 'study hall' is translated as heure d'étude. Wiktionary also lists étude.
Meaning: class period (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| heure d'étude | feminine | |
| étude | /e.tyd/ | feminine |
The term is used to describe a scheduled class period or block of time dedicated to studying.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase heure d'étude literally means 'hour of study'.
Which one should you use?
Use heure d'étude to refer to the specific scheduled time period or block for studying, whereas étude refers more generally to the act of studying or the subject itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, add an 's' to 'heure' to get heures d'étude.
Did you know?
- In French, étude can refer to a study hall, but it also describes a legal office where a notary operates, known as an étude notariale.
- In French high schools, the heure d'étude is often strictly silent, and breaking this silence is a common way for students to receive a colle or detention.
- The word heure in heure d'étude comes from the Ancient Greek word ὥρα, which originally referred to a 'season' or 'year' rather than a sixty-minute block of time.
Examples in context
- Le lycée met à la disposition des élèves une salle d'étude surveillée.The high school provides students with a supervised study hall.
- La bibliothèque universitaire dispose de plusieurs salles de travail silencieuses.The university library has several quiet study rooms.
- J'ai une heure d'étude après le déjeuner.I have a study hall after lunch.
- J'ai une heure d'étude cet après-midi.I have a study hall this afternoon.
- Est-ce que l'heure d'étude est terminée ?Is the study hall finished?
- Elle va à la bibliothèque pour son heure d'étude.She is going to the library for her study hall.
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their school schedule in the hallway.
- LucasLéa, tu as quoi comme cours maintenant ?Léa, what class do you have now?
- LéaC'est mon heure d'étude, Lucas.It is my study hall, Lucas.
- LucasTu peux m'aider avec mes maths alors ?Can you help me with my math then?
- LéaOui, on se retrouve à la bibliothèque.Yes, let's meet at the library.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “study hall” translations and entries étude, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries heure, étude, CC BY-SA 4.0.
