Bonjour! So you want to learn how to say “the last month” in French? You’ve come to the right place! In this guide, we’ll explore both formal and informal ways to express this concept. We’ll also touch upon any regional variations, although they are not as prominent in this case.
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Formal Ways to Say “The Last Month”
When speaking in formal situations, such as at work or with people you don’t know well, it’s important to use proper French phrasing. Here are a few options:
- Le mois dernier – This is the most common way to express “the last month” in formal French. It literally translates to “the month before.” For example, if you want to refer to December as the last month, you would say “Le mois dernier, j’ai voyagé en France” (Last month, I traveled to France).
- Dans le mois qui vient de s’écouler – This phrase has a more extended and formal tone. It can be used when you want to emphasize that an event or action occurred during the previous month. For instance, you could say “Dans le mois qui vient de s’écouler, nous avons achevé le projet avec succès” (In the last month, we successfully completed the project).
- Au cours du dernier mois – Another formal way to say “the last month” is by using this phrase. It translates to “in the course of the last month” and is often used in professional or academic contexts. An example sentence could be “Au cours du dernier mois, nous avons enregistré une augmentation des ventes” (In the course of the last month, we recorded a sales increase).
Informal Ways to Say “The Last Month”
Now let’s dive into more casual ways of expressing “the last month” in French. These options are perfect for conversations with friends, family, or colleagues you have a close relationship with:
- Le mois passé – This is a commonly used informal expression that directly translates to “the past month.” For example, you could say “Le mois passé, j’ai rencontré quelqu’un de spécial” (Last month, I met someone special).
- Le mois dern – In spoken French, it is common to omit the last syllable of “dernier” and simply say “dern” instead. This is an informal abbreviation that adds a casual touch to your speech. For instance, you can say “J’ai déménagé le mois dern” (I moved last month) to friends or colleagues.
- Y’a un mois – In informal conversations, it’s also common to use the expression “Y’a” instead of “Il y a” (there is/are). So, “Y’a un mois” is a colloquial way to say “the last month” and can be used similarly to “Le mois dernier” in casual situations. For example, you could say “Y’a un mois, on a fait une fête chez moi” (Last month, we had a party at my place).
Regional Variations
French is spoken in various regions around the world, and like any language, it may have regional variations. However, when it comes to expressing “the last month,” there aren’t significant differences across regions. The variations mentioned above are widely used and understood by French speakers in different countries.
Tip: When in doubt, it’s generally safer to use the formal expressions. If you’re uncertain about the appropriate level of formality, observe your conversation partner’s speech and adjust accordingly.
Remember, whether you opt for the formal or informal expressions, the key to mastering any language is practice. So, try incorporating these phrases into your everyday conversations, read French texts, and listen to native speakers to improve your fluency.
Merci for reading this guide on how to say “the last month” in French! We hope it helps you on your language learning journey. Bonne chance!
