deux mille deux
The English phrase two thousand and two is translated into French as deux mille deux.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of deux (two), mille (thousand) and deux (two).
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike English, the French way to say this year or number does not use the word 'and' (et) between the thousand and the unit. Additionally, the word mille is invariable and does not take an 's' when used as a number in this context.
Did you know?
- The word mille is an etymological cousin to the English word 'mile', though they originally referred to a count of 'one thousand' rather than a specific distance.
- Unlike English, which uses the word 'and' in 'two thousand and two', French uses 'and' (et) only for numbers like 'twenty-one' (vingt-et-un).
Examples in context
- J'ai acheté cette voiture en deux mille deux.I bought this car in two thousand and two.
- Le film est sorti en deux mille deux.The movie was released in two thousand and two.
- C'était en deux mille deux, je me souviens.It was in two thousand and two, I remember.
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are looking at an old photo album.
- LéaRegarde cette photo de deux mille deux.Look at this photo from two thousand and two.
- HugoOh, j'étais très petit à l'époque.Oh, I was very small at the time.
- LéaOui, c'était en deux mille deux.Yes, it was in two thousand and two.
- HugoLe temps passe vraiment vite.Time really flies.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries deux, mille, CC BY-SA 4.0.
