Bonjour! If you’re looking to learn how to say “Today is Sunday” in French, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will walk you through the formal and informal ways of expressing this phrase, along with some helpful tips, examples, and even a few regional variations if necessary. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Formal Expression
When it comes to formal situations, you should use the proper vocabulary and grammar to convey your message respectfully. So, to say “Today is Sunday” formally in French, you can use the following phrase:
Aujourd’hui, c’est dimanche.
In this expression, “aujourd’hui” means “today,” and “c’est” is the contraction of “ce” (this) and “est” (is). “Dimanche” is the French word for “Sunday.” It is important to note that, in formal situations, using the word “aujourd’hui” at the beginning of the sentence adds a polite touch to your statement.
Informal Expressions
Informal settings allow for a more casual approach, and you can use slightly different phrasing to say “Today is Sunday” in French. Here are a couple of informal ways you can express this:
- Aujourd’hui, on est dimanche.
- C’est dimanche aujourd’hui.
In the first example, “on est” is a commonly used informal expression for “it is.” The second example is a simpler variation that retains its casual tone.
Regional Variations
While French is spoken widely across different regions, there can be slight variations in how people express the days of the week. Let’s take a look at some regional variations that you might come across:
Québec French
In Québec, Canada, you will often hear the following expression:
Aujourd’hui, c’est la journée de dimanche.
As you can see, the additional “la journée de” is added to emphasize that it is indeed the “day of Sunday.” This variation doesn’t change the meaning but adds a regional flair to the sentence.
Tips and Examples
Now that we’ve covered the formal, informal, and regional ways of expressing “Today is Sunday” in French, let’s provide you with some additional tips and examples to help solidify your understanding:
1. Using Proper Pronunciation
When pronouncing the French phrase “Aujourd’hui, c’est dimanche,” pay attention to the nasalized pronunciation of the word “aujourd’hui.” Also, remember to pronounce “dimanche” with a soft “ch” sound, similar to the “sh” sound in English.
2. Remembering the Days of the Week
To confidently express the current day in French, it’s important to learn the days of the week:
Monday – lundi
Tuesday – mardi
Wednesday – mercredi
Thursday – jeudi
Friday – vendredi
Saturday – samedi
Sunday – dimanche
3. Adapting for Other Days
You can easily adapt the expressions discussed above for other days of the week. Simply substitute “dimanche” (Sunday) with the corresponding day. For example:
Aujourd’hui, c’est lundi.
This phrase means “Today is Monday.” You can apply the same pattern for the other days of the week.
4. Forming Questions
If you want to inquire about the day, you can simply replace the statement form with a question form:
Quel jour sommes-nous aujourd’hui ?
Translated as “What day is it today?”, this question is perfect for both formal and informal contexts.
5. Contextual Usage
Remember that the formal and informal expressions provided can be used in various contexts. Whether you’re speaking with a colleague, a friend, or someone you just met, adapting your language appropriately is essential in French conversation.
With these tips and examples, you should be well-equipped to confidently express “Today is Sunday” in French in both formal and informal settings, and even understand some regional variations. Practice speaking and listening to reinforce your understanding, and don’t be afraid to engage with native French speakers to enhance your language skills. Joyeux dimanche!
