Months In French: 75 Unique Ways To Express Time

These twelve words are key to understanding and expressing time, making plans, and immersing yourself in the rich culture of French-speaking countries.

In this article, we’ll explore 75+ practical and cultural ways to express time using the months in French. From basic pronunciation to idiomatic expressions, we’ll cover everything you need to confidently discuss dates, seasons, and events throughout the year. Additionally, we will guide you on how to express dates in French, including the use of french days and the grammar involved in stating the date.

First things first, how do you say “months” in French?

Before we dive into the individual months, let’s start with the word “months” itself. In French, “months” is translated as “mois” (pronounced /mwa/). This word is both singular and plural, so whether you’re talking about one month or several, you’ll use “mois.”

Interestingly, the French word 'mois' (meaning 'months') has the same pronunciation as 'moi' (meaning 'me'), highlighting the concept of homophones in the French language to assist learners in understanding language nuances.

For example:

• Un mois  ( One month )

• Deux mois  ( Two months )

• Les douze mois de l’année  ( The twelve months of the year )

The basics: Months of the year in French

Now that we know how to say "months," let's explore each month of the year in French.

The French calendar is based on the Gregorian calendar, which is used by most of the world. The 12 months of the year in French are: janvier (January), février (February), mars (March), avril (April), mai (May), juin (June), juillet (July), août (August), septembre (September), octobre (October), novembre (November), and décembre (December). Each month has its unique celebrations and traditions, and understanding the French months is crucial for communicating effectively in French.

List of months with pronunciation guide

Here’s a table showing each month of the year in French, along with its English equivalent and a pronunciation guide:

February typically has 28 days but extends to 29 days once every 4 years during a leap year.

Remember, French pronunciation can be tricky for English speakers. Here are a few tips to help you with the pronunciation:

1. The ‘r’ sound in French is pronounced at the back of the throat, unlike the English ‘r’.

2. Pay attention to nasal sounds, especially in french months like “janvier” (january) and “novembre.”

3. The month “août” (August) is pronounced as a single syllable, similar to the English word “oo” in “cool.”

Practice saying each month aloud, focusing on the correct pronunciation. With time and practice, you’ll be able to say the months of the year in French with confidence!

Key grammar points (masculine gender, no capitalization)

When using months in French, keep these important grammar rules in mind:

1. Masculine gender : All months of the year in French are masculine. This means you’ll use masculine articles and adjectives with them.

For example:

• le janvier froid  ( the cold January )

• un août ensoleillé  ( a sunny August )

The French translation for the word 'season' is 'saison'. The French terms for the four seasons are: le printemps (spring), l'été (summer), l'automne (autumn), and l'hiver (winter).

2. No capitalization : Unlike in English, french months are not capitalized unless they appear at the beginning of a sentence.

For example:

• Mon anniversaire est en mars . ( My birthday is in March. )

• Juillet est généralement le mois le plus chaud.  ( July is generally the hottest month. )

3. Using “en” with months : When talking about something happening during a particular month, use the preposition “en” before the month.

For example:

• En décembre, il neige souvent.  ( In December, it often snows. )

• Je pars en vacances en août.  ( I’m going on vacation in August. )

4. Omitting articles : When giving dates, you don’t need to use articles before the month.

For example:

• Je suis né le 15 mai.  ( I was born on May 15th. )

• Le concert aura lieu le 3 septembre.  ( The concert will take place on September 3rd. )

Abbreviations for months in French

In written French, you may encounter abbreviated forms of the months. Here are the standard abbreviations:

Note that:

1. Most abbreviations end with a period.

2. Some short month names (mars, mai, juin, août) are typically not abbreviated.

3. These abbreviations are commonly used in formal documents, tables, or when space is limited.

When writing dates in abbreviated form, the French typically use the format DD/MM/YYYY.

For example:

14/07/1789 would be read as "le quatorze juillet mille sept cent quatre-vingt-neuf" (July 14, 1789 - Bastille Day)

How to Use Months in French: 8 Essential Contexts

Now that you're familiar with the basics, let's explore various contexts where you'll use months in French. Understanding these different scenarios will help you communicate more effectively in a wide range of situations.

Formal expressions (business, official correspondence)

In formal settings, such as business meetings or official correspondence, it's important to use more polite and structured language. Here are some formal expressions using months:

When writing formal dates in French, use the following format:

• le 15 juin 2024 (June 15, 2024)

Casual everyday use

In informal situations with friends, family, or colleagues you're close to, you can use more relaxed expressions. Here are some examples:

In casual speech, it's common to omit the word "mois" (month) when it's clear from context:

• Je préfère mai à avril. (I prefer May to April.)

Talking about birthdays and celebrations

Months of the year are crucial when discussing birthdays and other celebrations. Here’s how to use them in this context:

When asking about birthdays, you can say:

• Quand est ton anniversaire ? (When is your birthday?)

• Tu es né(e) quel mois ? (In which month were you born?)

Remember, when giving specific dates, the day comes before the month in French:

• Je suis né(e) le 25 décembre. (I was born on December 25th.)

Additionally, significant historical observances such as Armistice Day on November 11th, which marks the end of World War I, are also important dates in French culture. Other commemorations related to the world wars reflect on their impact and remembrance within the society.

Discussing seasons and weather

In French, months are often associated with seasons and weather patterns. Here's how to use them in this context:

Remember the French seasons:

• le printemps (spring)

• l'été (summer)

• l'automne (fall)

• l'hiver (winter)

You can combine months and seasons like this:

• Les mois d'été sont juin, juillet et août. (The summer months are June, July, and August.)

• En été, de Juin à Août, il fait chaud. (During summer, from June to August, the weather is hot.)

Planning future events

When discussing future plans, you'll often need to mention specific months. Here's how:

When talking about a future month in the current year, you can use:

• en + [month] Example: On se voit en novembre. (We'll see each other in November.)

For future years, add the year or use "prochain":

• en mars 2025 (in March 2025)

• en mars prochain (next March)

Expressing preferences about certain months

Everyone has favorite and least favorite months. Here's how to express these preferences in French:

You can use comparative structures with months:

• Février est plus court que janvier. (February is shorter than January.)

• Août est aussi chaud que juillet. (August is as hot as July.)

To express why you like or dislike a month:

• J'adore décembre parce qu'il y a Noël. (I love December because there's Christmas.)

• Je déteste janvier à cause du froid. (I hate January because of the cold.)

Remember, preferences about months often relate to weather, holidays, or personal experiences, so feel free to explain your reasons when expressing likes or dislikes.

Using months in dates

When giving or asking for specific dates in French, you'll often include the month. Here's how to do it correctly:

1. Basic date structure: le + [day number] + [month] + [year] Example: le 14 juillet 1789 (July 14, 1789)

2. When saying the date out loud:

• For the first of the month: le premier [month] Example: le premier mai (May 1st)

• For other days: le + [day number] + [month] Example: le quinze mars (March 15th)

3. Years are typically pronounced as pairs of numbers:

• 1989 = dix-neuf cent quatre-vingt-neuf (nineteen eighty-nine)

• 2024 = deux mille vingt-quatre (two thousand twenty-four)

Here are some examples:

Remember, when writing dates in French, use the format DD/MM/YYYY:

• 05/04/2024 would be read as "le cinq avril deux mille vingt-quatre" (April 5, 2024)

Idiomatic expressions involving French months

French language has several idiomatic expressions that use months. These can add color to your speech and help you sound more native-like:

While not all of these expressions directly mention months, they often refer to seasonal events that occur in specific months. Using these expressions can make your French sound more natural and culturally aware.

For example:

• Si tu te maries en juin, n'oublie pas : mariage pluvieux, mariage heureux ! (If you're getting married in June, don't forget: a rainy wedding means a happy marriage!)

• Il fait vraiment doux pour un mois de février. En avril, ne te découvre pas d'un fil, comme on dit ! (It's really mild for February. As they say, don't remove a thread in April - meaning don't be too quick to shed your winter clothes!)

Cultural insights: Months as they're perceived in each French-speaking country

Understanding how months are perceived and utilized in French-speaking cultures can greatly enhance your language skills and cultural awareness. Let's explore some key aspects of life throughout the year in these countries.

Important holidays and celebrations

French-speaking countries have numerous holidays and celebrations throughout the year. Note that these are different from things like a big vacation, or trip. Here are some of the most significant ones:

December 25th, celebrated with family gatherings and gift-giving

Remember, holiday traditions can vary between different regions and from one French speaking country to another.

Vacation periods (e.g., August in France)

Vacation periods play a significant role in French culture:

1. Les grandes vacances (Summer holidays):

• In France, many businesses slow down or close in August as workers take their longest annual vacation.

• The phrase "Paris au mois d'août" (Paris in August) often refers to a quieter city as many Parisians leave for vacation.

2. Les vacances scolaires (School holidays):

• There are several school holiday periods throughout the year, including:

• Vacances de la Toussaint (Fall break) in October/November

• Vacances de Noël (Christmas break) in December/January

• Vacances d'hiver (Winter break) in February

• Vacances de printemps (Spring break) in April

3. Les ponts (Long weekends):

• When a public holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, many French people take the Monday or Friday off to create a four-day weekend.

Academic calendar and school terms

The academic year in most French-speaking countries uses the Roman calendar and is structured as follows:

1. La rentrée (Back to school): Usually in early September

2. Premier trimestre (First term): September to December

3. Deuxième trimestre (Second term): January to March/April

4. Troisième trimestre (Third term): April to June/July

Important academic dates:

• Septembre: La rentrée scolaire (Start of the school year)

• Juin: Le baccalauréat (High school exit exams in France)

• Juillet: Début des vacances d'été (Start of summer holidays)

Seasonal activities and traditions (e.g., April fool's day)

Each season brings its own activities and traditions in French-speaking countries:

1. Printemps (Spring):

• Mars: Carnaval celebrations in many cities

• Avril: Poisson d’avril (April fool’s Day) on April 1st, where children attach paper fish to the backs of unsuspecting classmates

• Mai: Outdoor markets and festivals begin

2. Été (Summer):

• Juin: Fête de la Musique (Music Day) on June 21st

• Juillet/Août: Beach holidays, outdoor concerts, and festivals

3. Automne (Fall):

• Septembre: Les vendanges (Grape harvest) in wine regions

• Octobre: La semaine du goût (Taste Week) celebrating French cuisine

• Novembre: Le Beaujolais Nouveau (New wine release) on the third Thursday

4. Hiver (Winter):

• Décembre: Marchés de Noël (Christmas markets)

• Janvier: Les soldes d’hiver (Winter sales) begin

• Février: Le Carnaval de Nice (Nice Carnival)

Understanding these cultural aspects can help you navigate social situations more effectively and gain deeper insights into the daily lives of French speakers. Keep in mind the “Poisson d’avril”, and you will have a memorable experience when you’ll get in a French-speaking country like France in a month of the year like April.

Connection between each French language month name and a Latin word

French people use easily some french words not just because they are born like that.To speak french , knowing french names can help.

1. JANVIER (French month)

• Latin origin: Ianuarius

• IPA: /ʒɑ̃.vje/

• Named after: Janus (Roman god of doorways)

2. FÉVRIER

• Latin origin: Februarius

• IPA: / fe.vʁi.je/

• Named after: Februa (purification festival)

3. MARS

• Latin origin: Martius

• IPA: /maʁs/

• Named after: Mars (god of war)

4. AVRIL

• Latin origin: Aprilis

• IPA: /a.vʁil/

• Etymology: from "aperire" (to open)

5. MAI

• Latin origin: Maius

• IPA: /mɛ/

• Named after: Maia (goddess)

6. JUIN

• Latin origin: Iunius

• IPA: /ʒɥɛ̃/

• Named after: Juno (goddess)

7. JUILLET

• Latin origin: Iulius

• IPA: /ʒɥi.jɛ/

• Named after: Julius Caesar

8. AOÛT

• Latin origin: Augustus

• IPA: /u(t)/

• Named after: Emperor Augustus

9. SEPTEMBRE

• Latin origin: September (septem = seven)

• IPA: /sɛp.tɑ̃bʁ/

• Etymology: was originally 7th month

10. OCTOBRE

• Latin origin: October (octo = eight)

• IPA: /ɔk.tɔbʁ/

• Etymology: was originally 8th month

11. NOVEMBRE

• Latin origin: November (novem = nine)

• IPA: /nɔ.vɑ̃bʁ/

• Etymology: was originally 9th month

12. DÉCEMBRE

• Latin origin: December (decem = ten)

• IPA: /de.sɑ̃bʁ/

• Etymology: was originally 10th month

( IPA stands for International Phonetic Alphabet)

You're probably asking why it's important to be aware of such things. Right?

Here's how this knowledge can help you learn French more effectively:

They help you create meaningful connections in your brain, making the vocabulary easier to remember and understand. When you understand why words are named the way they are, they become more than just arbitrary sounds to memorize.

Practical tips for mastering the French months

Mastering the French months requires practice and dedication. Here are some practical tips to help you learn the French months:

• Start with Pronunciation : Begin by learning the correct pronunciation of each month. Utilize online resources such as language learning apps or YouTube videos to hear native speakers and practice along with them.

• Write and Quiz Yourself : Create flashcards with the French months on one side and their English equivalents on the other. Regularly quiz yourself to reinforce your memory.

• Learn Key Dates and Celebrations : Familiarize yourself with important dates and celebrations associated with each month. For instance, April 1st is April Fool’s Day (le poisson d’avril), and May 1st is Labor Day (la fête du travail).

• Use in Context : Incorporate the months into sentences or conversations. This contextual usage will help solidify your understanding and recall.

• Watch French Media : Engage with French TV shows or movies with English subtitles. This exposure will help you get used to hearing the months in natural contexts.

• Practice with Native Speakers : Find language exchange partners or join French-speaking groups to practice speaking and listening. This real-world practice is invaluable for improving your pronunciation and comprehension.

Related time expressions

To round out your understanding of how to express time and date in French language, let's explore some related concepts that often go hand-in-hand with months.

Seasons in French

Understanding the seasons is crucial when discussing time and months of the year. Here are the four seasons in French:

Usage examples:

• Le printemps commence en mars. (Spring starts in March.)

• J'adore l'été, surtout le mois de juillet. (I love summer, especially the month of July.)

• Les feuilles changent de couleur en automne. (The leaves change color in autumn.)

• Il neige souvent en hiver, surtout en janvier et février. (It often snows in winter, especially in January and February.)

Saying years in French

When expressing years in French, remember these key points:

1. Years are typically pronounced in pairs:

• 1989 = mille neuf cent quatre-vingt-neuf (one thousand nine hundred eighty-nine)

• 2024 = deux mille vingt-quatre (two thousand twenty-four)

2. For years in the 2000s, you can also say them as individual numbers:

• 2024 = deux zéro deux quatre (two zero two four)

3. When talking about decades:

• Les années quatre-vingt = The 1980s

• Les années deux mille = The 2000s

Examples:

• Je suis né en mille neuf cent quatre-vingt-quinze. (I was born in 1995.)

• Le prochain Jeux Olympiques auront lieu en deux mille vingt-quatre. (The next Olympics will take place in 2024.)

Expressing duration (e.g., "for three months")

To express duration involving months in French, use the following structures:

1. For a specific number of months:

• pendant + [number] + mois (for [number] months)

• durant + [number] + mois (during [number] months)

• pour + [number] + mois (for [number] months)

Examples:

• J'ai vécu à Paris pendant trois mois. (I lived in Paris for three months.)

• Le projet durera durant six mois. (The project will last for six months.)

• Elle part en voyage pour deux mois. (She's leaving on a trip for two months.)

2. For an indefinite period:

• pendant des mois (for months)

• depuis des mois (for months / since months ago)

Examples:

• On a travaillé sur ce projet pendant des mois. (We've been working on this project for months.)

• Je n'ai pas vu ma famille depuis des mois. (I haven't seen my family for months.)

3. From one month to another:

• de + [month] à + [month] (from [month] to [month])

Example:

• Le festival a lieu de juin à août. (The festival takes place from June to August.)

4. Within a month:

• en un mois (in one month / within a month)

Example:

• J'ai appris les bases du français en un mois. (I learned the basics of French in one month.)

Remember, when using numbers with months, the word "mois" doesn't change to plural:

• un mois (one month)

• deux mois (two months)

• plusieurs mois (several months)

Months of the year in French FAQ: Quick answers to common questions about months in French

Are months capitalized in French?

No, unlike in English, months are not capitalized in French unless they appear at the beginning of a sentence.

Example: Mon anniversaire est en octobre. (My birthday is in October.)

How do you abbreviate months in French?

Most french months are abbreviated by taking the first three letters followed by a period. Here are the standard abbreviations:

janv., févr., mars, avr., mai, juin, juil., août, sept., oct., nov., déc.

Note that mars, mai, juin, and août are often left unabbreviated due to their short length.

What's the origin of French month names?

Most French month names have Roman origins, derived from the Latin names:

• Janvier (from Janus, god of doors and gates)

• Février (from februare, to purify)

• Mars (from Mars, god of war)

• Avril (from aperire, to open, referring to buds)

• Mai (from Maia, goddess of growth)

• Juin (from Juno, goddess of marriage)

• Juillet (from Julius Caesar)

• Août (from Augustus Caesar)

• Septembre to Décembre (from Latin numbers seven to ten)

How do you say "month" and "months" in French?

Both singular and plural forms are pronounced the same:

• un mois (one month)

• des mois (months)

Pronounced: /mwa/

How do you ask "What month is it?" in French?

You can ask:

• Quel mois sommes-nous ?

• En quel mois sommes-nous ?

• Quel mois est-on ?

How do you say "every January" or "every February" etc. in French?

Use "tous les" before the month:

• tous les janviers (every January)

• tous les févriers (every February)

Is there a difference between "in January" and "in Januaries" in French?

Yes. "In January" (a specific January) is "en janvier" without an article. "In Januaries" (generally in Januaries) is "en janvier" or "aux mois de janvier."

How do you say "next January" or "last February" in French?

Use "prochain" for next and "dernier" for last:

• janvier prochain (next January)

• février dernier (last February)

Are there any sayings or superstitions about specific months in French culture?

Yes, for example:

• "En avril, ne te découvre pas d'un fil" (In April, don't remove a thread) - warning about unpredictable spring weather.

• "Noël au balcon, Pâques aux tisons" (Christmas on the balcony, Easter by the fire) - if it's warm at Christmas, it will be cold at Easter.

How do you say "monthly" in French?

"Monthly" in French is "mensuel" (masculine) or "mensuelle" (feminine). Example: Une réunion mensuelle (A monthly meeting)