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?
Depending on the setting, you may use different forms. On est quel jour aujourd'hui? is an informal way to ask the question. Quel jour sommes-nous aujourd'hui? is a formal way to ask. In Quebec, Canada, some native speakers use Quel jour sommes-nous? even in informal settings.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For casual spoken French, you can use the informal on est quel jour ? or On est quel jour aujourd'hui? For more formal situations, use quel jour sommes-nous or Quel jour sommes-nous aujourd'hui?
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, the phrase Quel jour sommes-nous? is sometimes used even in informal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the indefinite pronoun on to mean "one" or "we", which is a common method in French for expressing impersonal states.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying quel jour est-il. Although this follows English logic, it sounds unnatural to native speakers. Instead, use quel jour on est.
Did you know?
- The use of on to mean 'people' or 'we' in this phrase is not actually from Latin, but is of Germanic origin. This mirrors how the word 'man' was used in Old English to describe people in general.
- The word est is a rare exception where the silent internal 's' is preserved in modern spelling, a feature almost never seen in other modern French words. It is only matched in this regard by the name 'Jésus-Christ'.
Examples in context
- Tu peux me dire quel jour on est aujourd'hui ?Can you tell me what day it is today?This sentence is useful for asking someone to tell you quel jour on est today.Tatoeba #10764999 by lbdx, translation #1934786 by Spamster
- Dis, on est quel jour aujourd'hui?Hey, what day is it today?
- Aujourd'hui, c'est samedi!Today is Saturday!
- Est-ce que tu sais quel jour on est ?Do you know what day it is?
- Je ne me rappelle plus quel jour on est.I don't remember what day it is anymore.
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are in the living room looking at a calendar.
- ManonNathan, quel jour on est aujourd'hui ?Nathan, what day is it today?
- NathanOn est mardi, Manon.It is Tuesday, Manon.
- ManonAh, merci beaucoup.Ah, thank you very much.
- NathanDe rien !You're welcome!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries est, jour, on, quel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
