temps
/tɑ̃/
temps is the French word for time, referring to the period during which an event occurs or a state exists.
temps is used to describe a period or span of time. It is also used in the idiomatic expression en tout temps, which means 'at all times' or 'always'.
Which one should you use?
While temps is the standard word for 'time', it is also the standard word for 'weather' in French. This distinction is important to keep in mind to avoid confusion.
How does it change in a sentence?
temps is a masculine noun, so it is used with the masculine article le temps. Note that temps is spelled with an 's' in both its singular and plural forms, such as when saying un temps to mean 'a time' or 'a period'.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɑ̃/
Did you know?
- The word temps shares the same root as the English word 'tempest', referring to a violent storm.
- In French music, the word temps is used to describe the 'beat' of a measure, such as when a musician refers to a 'downbeat' as le temps fort.
- French uses temps to describe grammatical 'tense', meaning a verb's form is literally a 'time' of the action.
Examples in context
- Je n'ai pas le temps de vous rencontrer aujourd'hui.I don't have time to meet you today.
- Je n'ai pas le temps de manger.I don't have the time to eat.
- Il faut prendre le temps de réfléchir.One must take the time to think.
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are discussing a busy workday.
- HugoJe n'ai vraiment pas le temps aujourd'hui.I really don't have the time today.
- ManonPrends le temps de souffler un peu, Hugo.Take the time to breathe a little, Hugo.
- HugoC'est difficile avec tous ces dossiers.It is difficult with all these files.
- ManonD'accord, mais ne travaille pas trop.Okay, but don't work too much.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry temps, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries temps, CC BY-SA 4.0.
