température
/tɑ̃.pe.ʁa.tyʁ/
The English word "temperature" is translated into French as température.
température is a noun used to describe a measure of heat or cold. In a medical context, the idiomatic phrase avoir de la température is a common way to say that someone has a fever. When reporting temperature in a formal, scientific or technical setting, you might use the phrase Le thermomètre indique [température]. To express extreme weather, you can say Il fait une chaleur/une fraîcheur terrible. to mean "It's terribly hot/cold."
Meaning: a measure of cold or heat (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In French-speaking regions of Canada, you might hear the phrase Il fait frette to express that it is freezing.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun température is feminine and is used with the feminine article la.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɑ̃.pe.ʁa.tyʁ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may mistakenly use the masculine article le because they are thinking of the English word, but température is always feminine.
Did you know?
- The French température and the English 'temper' both derive from the Latin 'temperare', which meant 'to mix or blend'.
- French has a dedicated word, canicule, to describe a prolonged period of extreme heat that English usually describes as a 'heatwave'.
- The French language uses the verb faire (to do/make) to describe the temperature, such as il fait chaud, whereas English uses the verb 'to be'.
Examples in context
- La température a baissé.The temperature has dropped.This sentence shows the word température used to describe a drop in temperature.Tatoeba #5454603 by alexisslay, translation #13994878 by Aghanim
- As-tu de la température ?Do you have a temperature?This sentence uses the idiomatic expression température to ask if someone has a fever.Tatoeba #921336 by sacredceltic, translation #913417 by Shiawase
- J'ai pris sa température.I took his temperature.This sentence illustrates the use of température when taking someone's body temperature.Tatoeba #5555430 by sacredceltic, translation #5107872 by Catriona
- 114 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are checking the weather before leaving.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu as vérifié la température ?Did you check the temperature?
- LéaOui, il fait très chaud dehors.Yes, it is very hot outside.
- GabrielOn devrait prendre des lunettes de soleil.We should take sunglasses.
- LéaBonne idée, Gabriel.Good idea, Gabriel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “temperature” translations and entries température, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries température, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
