Greetings! If you’re looking to learn how to express the date in French, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways to say the date, providing you with various tips and examples along the way. So, let’s dive into the wonderful world of French dates!
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions of the Date
When it comes to formal settings, whether it’s business or official correspondence, it is important to use proper French expressions for stating the date. Here are a few formal ways to say the date:
1. Le Numerical Date
Using the numerical format is a common and simple way to state the date formally:
Aujourd’hui, nous sommes le 14 mai 2023.
(Today is the 14th of May, 2023.)
2. Le Date Month Year
Another formal option is expressing the date by mentioning the day, followed by the month, and then the year:
Nous sommes le 14 mai 2023.
(We are the 14th of May, 2023.)
Informal Expressions of the Date
Now, let’s explore more casual ways to talk about the date in French, which are suitable for everyday conversations and informal situations:
1. Le Date Month
In informal contexts, it’s common to omit the mention of the year altogether:
Aujourd’hui, on est le 14 mai.
(Today is the 14th of May.)
2. Le Day Name Numeral Month
Another laid-back option is to use the day name followed by the numeral and the month:
Aujourd’hui, nous sommes dimanche 14 mai.
(Today is Sunday, the 14th of May.)
Tips for Talking About the French Date
Here are some useful tips to make your French date expressions even more natural:
1. Days of the Week
Remember that French days of the week are not capitalized, except when they start a sentence. So, it’s “lundi” (Monday), not “Lundi”.
2. Months of the Year
Similarly, note that in French, months of the year are not capitalized either, except when they appear at the beginning of a sentence.
3. Using Prepositions
French prepositions are used differently when talking about dates. Instead of “on” or “in” as used in English, French typically uses “le” (on) or “au” (in) before a specific date:
J’arriverai le 10 mars.
(I will arrive on the 10th of March.)
Je vais en France au mois de juillet.
(I am going to France in July.)
4. Regional Variations
French date expressions generally follow the same patterns across regions. However, you might come across regional differences in spoken French. For example, some speakers may say “le trente et un mars” (the 31st of March) as “le trente et unEr mars”.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve learned how to express the date in French. Whether you’re aiming for formal or informal settings, you can confidently state the date using the various expressions we’ve covered. Remember to pay attention to details like capitalization, prepositions, and regional variations. Keep practicing these phrases, and you’ll soon master the art of talking about dates en français! Bonne continuation!
