Greetings! If you’re interested in expressing the phrase “this year” in French, whether it’s in a formal or informal context, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will cover various ways to say “this year” in French, offering tips, examples, and even mentioning some regional variations when applicable.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “This Year”
In formal French, there are a few common expressions to convey “this year.” Here are three phrases you can use:
- Cette année – Literally translating to “this year,” this phrase is the most typical and widely used formal expression in French. It is appropriate for any formal or professional setting.
- Ce présent exercice – This expression is often used in business or financial contexts, specifically when referring to the current fiscal or accounting year. Although less common, it adds a touch of formality when needed.
- L’année en cours – This phrase translates to “the current year” and is frequently heard in legal or administrative settings. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of the year.
Informal Ways to Say “This Year”
When speaking informally in French, you can make use of the following idiomatic expressions to refer to “this year”:
- Cette année-ci – The addition of “ci” after “cette année” indicates “this year” in an informal context. It adds emphasis and is commonly used in everyday conversations.
- Cette année-là – Similarly, appending “là” after “cette année” implies “this year” informally. It can refer to the current year in a nostalgic, reflective, or storytelling context.
- Cette foutue année – This more colloquial and slightly stronger expression translates to “this damn year” in English. It’s commonly used to express frustration or disappointment with the current year informally.
Tips and Examples
TIP: When using “cette année” in French, remember that unlike English, the phrase comes after the subject of the sentence. For example:
Les projets de cette année sont ambitieux.
(The projects for this year are ambitious.)
Let’s dive into some examples demonstrating the use of these phrases:
1. Formal Examples:
- Nous prévoyons une croissance de 10% cette année.
- (We anticipate a growth of 10% this year.)
- Ce présent exercice se termine le 31 décembre.
- (This fiscal year ends on December 31st.)
- La déclaration des revenus doit être déposée pendant l’année en cours.
- (The income tax return must be filed during the current year.)
2. Informal Examples:
- Je vais enfin prendre des vacances cette année-ci.
- (I am finally going on vacation this year.)
- Cette année-là, j’ai rencontré mon meilleur ami.
- (That year, I met my best friend.)
- Je suis tellement fatigué de cette foutue année!
- (I am so tired of this damn year!)
Regional Variations
Regarding regional variations, French is spoken in various countries, each having its own unique expressions and dialects. However, when it comes to saying “this year,” the expressions mentioned earlier are widely used across French-speaking regions, making them universally recognizable and understood.
Remember to adapt your pronunciation based on the specific French dialect you are interacting with. It’s always enjoyable to learn and utilize local variations to communicate effectively with native speakers.
I hope this guide has provided you with a clear understanding of how to say “this year” in French. Whether you need to express it formally or informally, you now have various phrases to add to your vocabulary. Enjoy practicing these phrases and the charming French language!
