l'année 1999
The English phrase "the year 1999" is translated into French as l'année 1999.
The phrase is used to refer to the specific calendar year that precedes the year 2000.
Which one should you use?
While l'année 1999 refers to the year as a specific unit of time or a duration, you can also simply state the number mille neuf cent quatre-vingt-dix-neuf to refer to the year itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that something occurred "in 1999", use the preposition en before the number, as in en 1999.
Did you know?
- The term le millésime 1999 is used instead of l'année 1999 when referring specifically to the year a wine was produced. This distinguishes the calendar year from the vintage quality.
- When saying the number 1999, French speakers use quatre-vingt-dix-neuf for 99, which literally translates to 'four twenties ten nine'.
- In French, the word an is used for measuring a specific age or duration, while année is used for the calendar year 1999, even though they both mean 'year'.
Examples in context
- L'année 1999 était une année marquante.The year 1999 was a significant year.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are talking about their childhood memories.
- GabrielTu te souviens de l'année 1999 ?Do you remember the year 1999?
- LéaOui, j'étais très petite à l'époque.Yes, I was very small at that time.
- GabrielMoi, j'avais déjà commencé l'école.As for me, I had already started school.
- LéaC'est vrai, le temps passe vite.That's true, time flies.
