Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Action de grâce | feminine | |
| Action de grâces | feminine | |
| Thanksgiving | /sɛnks.ɡi.viŋ/ | masculine |
In French, you can refer to the Thanksgiving holiday using a direct translation or the English word itself. If you are referring to the general concept of an expression of gratitude, you might use remerciement. For the short prayer said at meals, the terms grâces or bénédicité are used.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Action de grâce literally translates to act of grace.
Which one should you use?
You may see the phrase in either its singular form, Action de grâce or its plural form, Action de grâces. Both versions are common and widely accepted in French.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using the English word Thanksgiving is common in informal, casual conversation, especially when specifically referring to the North American holiday. For more formal contexts, you can use the full expressions La fête de l'Action de grâce or La journée de l'Action de grâce.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The formal expressions La fête de l'Action de grâce and La journée de l'Action de grâce are particularly used in Canadian French.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Action de grâce and Action de grâces are feminine nouns. The English loanword Thanksgiving is used as a masculine noun.
Did you know?
- In Canada, l'Action de grâce is a statutory holiday, but it is celebrated on the second Monday of October rather than in November.
- While 'thanksgiving' is an English word, the French term grâce can also mean 'mercy' or 'elegance', making the literal translation 'act of grace' sound much more poetic than the English name.
- The word grâce in the phrase Action de grâce shares the same Latin root as the English word 'grace', meaning both 'favor' and 'charm'.
Examples in context
- Nous ne sommes pas ouvert pour Thanksgiving.We're not open on Thanksgiving.This sentence shows how to use Thanksgiving to state a business's holiday hours.Tatoeba #5542938 by guyniv, translation #5542792 by CK
- Pour Thanksgiving, ma mère a préparé une grosse dinde.My mother cooked a big turkey for Thanksgiving.This sentence uses Thanksgiving to describe holiday meal preparations.Tatoeba #5821274 by EvaFranska, translation #5569521 by Hybrid
- Joyeux Thanksgiving.Happy Thanksgiving Day.This sentence uses Thanksgiving to express a holiday greeting.Tatoeba #4767846 by Doremi391, translation #21046 by CK
- Je te souhaite une bonne fête de Thanksgiving !I wish you a happy Thanksgiving!
- Nous célébrons la fête de l'Action de grâce en famille.We celebrate Thanksgiving with the family.
- J'ai reçu une invitation pour la journée de l'Action de grâce .I received an invitation for Thanksgiving Day.
- Au Canada, on dit souvent joyeuse Action de grâce .In Canada, we often say Joyeuse Action de grâce.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their holiday plans over coffee.
- HugoTu fais quoi pour l'Action de grâce ?What are you doing for Thanksgiving?
- ChloéJe vais chez mes parents pour l'Action de grâce.I am going to my parents' place for Thanksgiving.
- HugoC'est une excellente idée, Chloé.That is an excellent idea, Chloé.
- ChloéMerci, Hugo !Thanks, Hugo!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “Thanksgiving” translations and entries Thanksgiving, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Thanksgiving, action, de, grâce, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
