How to Say “Sunrise Sunset” in French

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lever et coucher du soleil
The phrase "sunrise sunset" in French is lever et coucher du soleil.
This phrase refers to the times of day when the sun first appears and then disappears from the sky.

What does it mean word for word?

The word coucher is the infinitive verb meaning "to lay down" or "to put to bed", which is used here as a noun to mean "the setting".

Which one should you use?

Adding the definite articles to say le lever et le coucher du soleil makes the phrase more grammatically complete when used in a full sentence.

Did you know?

  • The French word for sun, soleil, is actually a diminutive. It comes from the Latin sōliculus, meaning a smaller version of the sun.
  • In French, the sun is personified as someone who goes to bed. While English uses 'set', coucher is the same verb used for putting a child to sleep.

Examples in context

  • Demain matin, nous partirons à l'aube pour voir le lever du soleil.
    Tomorrow morning, we will leave at dawn to see the sunrise.

Example conversation

Two friends are planning a trip to the beach.

  1. Manon

    On devrait regarder le lever et coucher du soleil.
    We should watch the sunrise and sunset.
  2. Nathan

    C'est une excellente idée, Manon.
    That is an excellent idea, Manon.
  3. Manon

    Je vais prendre mon appareil photo.
    I will take my camera.
  4. Nathan

    Moi aussi, Nathan veut prendre des photos.
    Me too, Nathan wants to take photos.

Sources

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Lula Georgina
Lula GeorginaHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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