What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Quel jour on est ? literally translates to "Which day one is?"
Which one should you use?
While Quel jour on est ? is often used to ask for the day of the week, Quelle est la date aujourd'hui ? is the more precise way to ask for the specific calendar date.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form Quel jour on est ? is informal and suitable for everyday conversation. For formal situations, you can use Quel jour sommes-nous aujourd'hui?, Pourriez-vous me dire quel jour nous sommes aujourd'hui? or Excusez-moi, s'il vous plaît. Pourriez-vous m'indiquer le jour d'aujourd'hui? Informal variations include Quel jour on est aujourd'hui? and Tu sais quel jour on est aujourd'hui?
How does it change in a sentence?
The more formal version of this question uses the verb être in the nous form instead of the informal on form.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying Quel jour est aujourd'hui ? English speakers often mistakenly use a direct translation of "is today" (est aujourd'hui), but in French, it is more natural to use the construction on est (one is) or nous sommes (we are).
When do people say it?
A common way to respond to this question is by using the structure On est + [day of the week], such as On est lundi (It is Monday).
Did you know?
- In the phrase Quel jour on est ?, the word est is a spelling oddity. It is the only word in modern French, besides the name 'Jésus-Christ', that preserves a silent internal 's' from its Latin ancestor.
Examples in context
- Donc, aujourd'hui c'est quel jour?So, today is what day?
- C'est bien ça, on est quel jour?That's right, what day is it?
- Excusez-moi, quel jour on est ?Excuse me, what day is it?
- Je ne sais plus, quel jour on est ?I don't know anymore, what day is today?
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are sitting in a cafe.
- HugoQuel jour on est ?What day is today?
- EmmaOn est mardi, Hugo.It is Tuesday, Hugo.
- HugoAh, je suis perdu.Ah, I am lost.
- EmmaNe t'inquiète pas.Don't worry.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries est, jour, on, quel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
