le premier du mois
The French phrase for "the first of the month" is le premier du mois.
This phrase is used to denote the first day of a calendar month.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of le premier (the first), du (of the) and mois (month).
Which one should you use?
In written French, the first day of the month is often abbreviated as le 1er.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to the first day of a month, the ordinal number premier is used. However, for all other days of the month, cardinal numbers like deux, trois, etc., are used.
Did you know?
- In some French-speaking regions, referring to le premier du mois is culturally linked to the day rent is traditionally due or salaries are paid.
- The word premier is a doublet of the English word 'primary', meaning they both descend from the same Latin root prīmārius.
- In French, the word mois can also refer to an age, such as saying a baby is three mois old, whereas English switches to 'months' only for duration.
Examples in context
- Je vais chez mes parents le 1er du moisI'm going to my parents' place on the first of the month
- Rappelle-moi ce soir pour confirmer notre rendez-vous le premier du mois prochain.Remind me tonight to confirm our appointment on the first of next month.
- Prévoyons un dîner le 1er du mois suivant pour célébrer ton anniversaire.Let's plan a dinner on the first of the following month to celebrate your birthday.
- C'est le premier du mois.It is the first of the month.
- Je reçois mon salaire le premier du mois.I receive my salary on the first of the month.
- Le loyer est dû le premier du mois.The rent is due on the first of the month.
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are discussing their budget.
- ManonQuand dois-je payer la facture, Hugo ?When should I pay the bill, Hugo?
- HugoTu dois la payer le premier du mois.You must pay it on the first of the month.
- ManonC'est noté dans mon agenda.It is noted in my calendar.
- HugoParfait, merci Manon.Perfect, thank you Manon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries du, le, mois, premier, CC BY-SA 4.0.
