cet été
The English phrase "this summer" is translated into French as cet été.
cet été refers to the period of the current summer or the summer coming up soon. You can use the verb passer to express how you will spend your summer, and you can use the phrase au cours de cet été to mean "during this summer". Other useful variations include dès cet été for "starting this summer" and à la fin de cet été for "at the end of this summer".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the demonstrative adjective cet (this) and the noun été (summer).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase cet été is masculine, which dictates the use of the masculine demonstrative adjective cet. The form cet is used specifically instead of ce because the following noun été begins with a vowel, which prevents a hiatus.
Did you know?
- The word été shares a common ancient root with the English word 'fire' through the Proto-Indo-European term for 'burning'.
- In France, the concept of cet été is often tied to the 'congés payés' or paid holidays, a legal right established in 1936 that fundamentally changed how the French spend their summer.
Examples in context
- Tu pars cet été ?Are you going away this summer?This example is useful for asking if someone is going away using cet été.Tatoeba #640038 by qdii, translation #60186 by CK
- Il est né cet été.He was born this summer.This example is useful for stating that someone was born during a specific time using cet été.Tatoeba #9157178 by Julien_PDC, translation #13503119 by rul
- Qu'as-tu fait cet été ?What did you do this summer?This example is useful for asking about activities completed during a period using cet été.Tatoeba #1283361 by sacredceltic, translation #627287 by CM
- Nous allons voyager cet étéWe will travel this summer
- Je vais passer mes vacances cet étéI will spend my vacation this summer
- 84 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are discussing their holiday plans.
- LéaJe veux voyager cet été.I want to travel this summer.
- NathanC'est une super idée, Léa !That is a great idea, Léa!
- LéaTu viens avec moi cet été ?Are you coming with me this summer?
- NathanOui, je serais ravi, Léa.Yes, I would be delighted, Léa.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cet, été, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
