Avant-hier
/a.vɑ̃.t‿jɛʁ/
The phrase for "the day before yesterday" in French is Avant-hier.
Avant-hier is used to refer to the day that occurred two days before today.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a compound of avant (before) and hier (yesterday), literally meaning "before yesterday".
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, this phrase does not require an article like "the" before it, unlike the English expression.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /a.vɑ̃.t‿jɛʁ/. It consists of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In very formal or old-fashioned French, you might see the expression l'avant-veille, which refers to the day before a specific event rather than just two days before today.
- While avant-hier is common, French also has a symmetrical word for 'the day after tomorrow', après-demain. Together, they form a balanced set of time markers that English lacks as single words.
- The French term avant-hier shares a direct structural root with the Italian word avantieri.
Examples in context
- Es-tu venu avant-hier ?Did you come the day before yesterday?This sentence is useful for asking if someone arrived using Avant-hier.Tatoeba #1159577 by sacredceltic, translation #5229020 by jaxhere
- J'ai vu Tom avant-hier.I met Tom the day before yesterday.This sentence is useful for stating that you saw Tom using Avant-hier.Tatoeba #13714070 by zogwarg, translation #10079924 by CK
- Il est décédé avant-hier.He passed away the day before yesterday.This sentence is useful for stating that someone passed away using Avant-hier.Tatoeba #10544032 by lbdx, translation #10527411 by AlanF_US
- 36 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are discussing a missing book.
- HugoOù est mon livre, Emma ?Where is my book, Emma?
- EmmaJe l'ai rendu avant-hier.I returned it the day before yesterday.
- HugoJe ne m'en souviens pas.I don't remember it.
- EmmaRegarde sur ton bureau alors.Look on your desk then.
Sources
- Pronunciation from the Wiktionary entry avant-hier.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avant-hier, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
