le premier
In French, "the first" is translated as le premier.
This phrase is used to identify the person or thing that comes before all others in a sequence.
Which one should you use?
The form you choose depends on the gender and number of the person or thing you are describing. Use premier or première as an adjective to agree with the noun it modifies, such as in "the first step".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the phrase is commonly expressed as le prem's in informal speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form must change to match the noun it refers to: la première is used for feminine singular nouns, les premiers for masculine plural nouns and les premières for feminine plural nouns. When used as a noun to mean "the first one", the form stays in the masculine singular le premier if the subject is masculine.
Did you know?
- When French speakers talk about New Year's Day, they often omit the month entirely and simply say le premier.
- The word première is used as a noun to describe the opening night performance of a play or a film.
- While premier is the standard term for 'first', it is a 'doublet' of the word primaire, meaning they share the same Latin ancestor despite looking different.
Examples in context
- Suis-je le premier ?Am I the first?This sentence uses le premier to ask if one is the first person.Tatoeba #5063546 by sacredceltic, translation #5112919 by Airvian
- C'est le premier pas.That is the first step.This sentence uses le premier to describe a step.Tatoeba #4218275 by sacredceltic, translation #4193776 by tinowls
- Faites le premier pas.Take the first step.This sentence uses le premier to instruct someone to take a step.Tatoeba #13534427 by Rovo, translation #13542139 by rul
- Le premier jourThe first day
- Le premier choixThe first choice
- Le premier trucThe first thing
- Le premier truc qui me vient à l'espritThe first thing that comes to mind
- 215 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are waiting in line for a concert.
- HugoEst-ce que je suis le premier ?Am I the first one?
- ManonNon, tu n'es pas le premier.No, you are not the first.
- HugoAh, alors qui est le premier ?Ah, then who is the first?
- ManonC'est cet homme là-bas.It is that man over there.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries le, premier, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
