trois rois mages
The phrase for "three kings" in French is trois rois mages.
The phrase trois rois mages refers to the three wise men who visited the baby Jesus after his birth.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are referring to these specific biblical figures, you will typically use the definite article to say les trois rois mages.
When do people say it?
The feast day celebrating the visit of the three kings is known as l'Épiphanie. During Epiphany celebrations, it is common to say Bonne fête des Rois! to mean "Happy Feast of the Kings!" In France, it is also customary to celebrate the arrival of the three kings by eating la galette des rois, known as the king cake.
Did you know?
- When eating la galette des rois, a small plastic or ceramic charm called une fève is hidden inside the cake. Whoever finds the fève in their slice is crowned king or queen for the day.
- The word mage in trois rois mages comes from the Old Persian word for a priest or astrologer. It is the linguistic ancestor of the English word 'magic'.
- The fève hidden in the cake was originally a real dried broad bean, which is why the word fève still means 'bean' in French today.
Examples in context
- Les enfants adorent l'histoire des trois rois mages.Children love the story of the three wise men.
- On fête l'Épiphanie pour honorer les trois rois mages.We celebrate Epiphany to honor the three wise men.
- La crèche représente les trois rois mages.The nativity scene represents the three wise men.
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are decorating for the holidays.
- LéaOù sont les figurines des trois rois mages, Lucas ?Where are the three wise men figurines, Lucas?
- LucasElles sont dans la boîte sous le sapin.They are in the box under the tree.
- LéaSuper, je vais les placer près de l'étoile.Great, I'm going to place them near the star.
- LucasC'est une bonne idée, Léa.That's a good idea, Léa.
