Greetings! If you’re looking to expand your French vocabulary and express the age group commonly referred to as “thirties,” you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways of saying “thirties” in French, providing insights into regional variations when necessary. Whether you’re planning a trip to France or simply want to enhance your language skills, let’s delve into the different ways of expressing this age group in French!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Thirties” in French
If you’re in a formal setting or want to use a more standardized form, the following expressions are suitable:
- La trentaine – This is the most common way to say “thirties” in French. It literally translates to “the thirties.” For example:
Elle est dans la trentaine maintenant. (She is in her thirties now.)
- Entre trente et quarante ans – If you prefer a more specific age range, you can use this expression, which means “between thirty and forty years old.” For instance:
Le groupe était composé de personnes âgées entre trente et quarante ans. (The group consisted of people aged between thirty and forty years old.)
Informal Ways to Say “Thirties” in French
If you’re in a casual conversation or among friends, you might prefer using more colloquial expressions. Here are some informal ways to refer to the “thirties” age group in French:
- La dizaine de trente ans – This expression translates to “around thirty years old” and is commonly used in informal contexts. For example:
Je pense qu’il a la dizaine de trente ans. (I think he’s around thirty years old.)
- Dans la trentaine – Similar to the formal expression “la trentaine,” this informal version is commonly used in spoken French. Example:
Elle est dans la trentaine. (She’s in her thirties.)
Regional Variations
French is spoken in numerous countries, which can lead to regional variations in vocabulary. However, when it comes to expressing the “thirties” age group, these variations are fairly minimal. The expressions mentioned above are widely understood across French-speaking regions.
That said, it’s worth mentioning that some regions may use local dialects or unique phrases. For instance, in Canadian French, you may come across the expression “La crise de la quarantaine” (the mid-life crisis), which refers to the period around forty. However, this term is not exclusive to the “thirties” age group.
Tips and Examples
Now that we have covered the formal, informal, and regional aspects of saying “thirties” in French, here are some tips and additional examples to help you contextualize the usage:
- Remember to use appropriate gender agreement: Use “trentaine” for a group of people where the majority is female and “trentaine d’hommes” for a majority of males.
- When discussing someone else’s age, ensure you use the appropriate possessive pronouns. For example:
J’ai demandé à Pauline, dans la trentaine, comment elle se sentait. (I asked Pauline, in her thirties, how she was feeling.)
- French uses cardinal numbers to express age range, so “trente” (thirty) is used instead of “trentième” (thirtieth). This rule applies to both formal and informal expressions.
Remember, language learning is a journey, so don’t be afraid to practice and make mistakes. The more you immerse yourself in the language, the better you will become!
It’s time to put your new knowledge into practice. Practice with French-speaking friends or try engaging in conversations to improve your fluency. Bonne chance! (Good luck!)
