temps
/tɑ̃/
The English phrase "tenses" is translated into French as temps.
The word temps is used for both 'tenses' (grammatical) and 'weather' (meteorological).
How do you pronounce it?
/tɑ̃/
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'tense' to describe feeling nervous, the French word tendu (tense) is used for physical or emotional tension, but it is not the same word as the grammatical temps.
- The word temps is inherited from the Latin word tempus, which is also the ancestor of the English word 'tempo'.
- The word temps is a 'silent-s' word, meaning the final letter is not pronounced in both the singular and plural forms.
Examples in context
- Le tamazight a-t-il des temps ?Does Berber have tenses?This sentence is useful for asking if a language like Berber possesses grammatical temps.Tatoeba #12480691 by always, translation #8237383 by Amastan
- Merci de régler les incohérences de temps.Thanks for fixing the mismatches between tenses.This sentence is useful for thanking someone for fixing mismatches related to temps.Tatoeba #13561142 by sacredceltic, translation #13561140 by sacredceltic
- Demain, je parle français.Tomorrow, I will speak French.
- Je parlerais français si j'étais plus confiant, tu vois.I would speak French if I were more confident, you see.
- Il faut que je mange, tu vois.I must eat, you see.
- Il faut apprendre ces nouveaux temps.It is necessary to learn these new tenses.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are discussing their French grammar homework.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu comprends les temps ?Do you understand the tenses?
- EmmaNon, c'est un peu difficile pour moi.No, it is a bit difficult for me.
- GabrielOn peut réviser les temps ensemble.We can review the tenses together.
- EmmaOui, ce serait une bonne idée.Yes, that would be a good idea.
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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
