Learn the months of the year and seasons in French with our easy-to-follow guide. Improve your language skills and impress your friends and family.
Months of the year
Since they are employed in everyday speech as well as numerous cultural celebrations and holidays, the seasons and the months of the year are fundamental concepts in French. The months of the year are known in French as les mois de l’année:
- Janvier (January)
- Février (February)
- Mars (March)
- Avril (April)
- Mai (May)
- Juin (June)
- Juillet (July)
- Août (August)
- Septembre (September)
- Octobre (October)
- Novembre (November)
- Décembre (December)
It’s worth noting that the French months are not capitalized unless they appear at the beginning of a sentence.
Les Saisons (the seasons) in French are:
- Le printemps (spring)
- L’été (summer)
- L’automne (fall/autumn)
- L’hiver (winter)
The French seasons are also not capitalized unless they appear at the beginning of a sentence.
Now, let’s take a closer look at each month and season in French.
- Janvier (January) is the first month of the year and is known for being a cold month in many parts of the world. In French, the word for “cold” is “froid.” January is also the month of the Nouvel An (New Year), which is celebrated on the first of the month.
- Février (February) is the second month of the year and is the shortest month, with only 28 days. In French, February is known as “le mois de la Saint-Valentin” (the month of Valentine’s Day), which is celebrated on February 14th.
- Mars (March) is the third month of the year and is the first month of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. In French, March is known as “le mois de Mars,” which is also the name of the Roman god of war.
- Avril (April) is the fourth month of the year and is the second month of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. In French, the word “avril” comes from the Latin word “aperire,” which means “to open.” This is because April is known for bringing new life and growth, as flowers and trees begin to bloom after a long winter.
- Mai (May) is the fifth month of the year and is the third month of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. In French, May is known as “le mois de Mai,” which is also the name of a Roman goddess of fertility and abundance.
- Juin (June) is the sixth month of the year and is the first month of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. In French, June is known as “le mois de Juin,” which is also the name of a Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth.
- Juillet (July) is the seventh month of the year and is the second month of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. In French, July is known as “le mois de Juillet,” which is named after Julius Caesar.
- Août (August) is the eighth month of the year and is the third month of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. In French, August is known as “le mois d’Août,” which is also the name of a Roman emperor.
- Septembre (September) is the ninth month of the year and is the first month of fall in the Northern Hemisphere. In French, September is known as “le.
The four seasons in French
- Le printemps (spring) is the first season of the year and is a time of new life and growth. In French, the word “printemps” comes from the Latin “primus,” meaning “first,” and “tempus,” meaning “time.” Spring is a time when the weather begins to warm up after the cold of winter and when flowers and trees start to bloom.
- L’été (summer) is the second season of the year and is a time of warmth and sunshine. In French, the word “été” comes from the Latin “aestas,” meaning “summer.” Summer is a time when the days are longer and the weather is hot and humid. It is a popular time for vacations and outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking, and camping.
- L’automne (fall/autumn) is the third season of the year and is a time of change and transition. In French, the word “automne” comes from the Latin “autumnus,” meaning “fall.” Fall is a time when the leaves on the trees change color and fall to the ground, and the weather becomes cooler. It is also a time when many people return to school or work after the summer break.
- L’hiver (winter) is the fourth season of the year and is a time of cold and darkness. In French, the word “hiver” comes from the Old French “hivern,” meaning “winter.” Winter is a time when the days are shorter and the weather is cold and snowy. It is a time for warm clothing, hot drinks, and indoor activities such as reading and watching movies.
The four seasons in French are le printemps (spring), l’été (summer), l’automne (fall/autumn), and l’hiver (winter). Each season brings its own unique weather, activities, and cultural events, and they are an important part of life and the French language and other French-speaking countries.
Common doubts: capitals, articles, gender, and prepositions
There are several common doubts that people often have when it comes to using capitals, articles, gender, and prepositions in French. Here are some tips to help you navigate these often confusing aspects of the language:
- Capitals: In French, proper nouns (e.g. names of people, places, and organizations) are always capitalized. However, months and seasons are not capitalized unless they appear at the beginning of a sentence.
- Articles: French has two types of articles: definite (le, la, l’, les) and indefinite (un, une, des). The definite articles are used to refer to specific nouns, while the indefinite articles are used to refer to general nouns. In addition, French nouns are either masculine or feminine, and the articles must agree with the noun’s gender. For example: le livre (the book – masculine), la maison (the house – feminine).
- Gender: French nouns are either masculine or feminine, and this gender must be reflected in the articles and adjectives that are used with them. For example: le garçon (the boy – masculine), la fille (the girl – feminine). Some nouns have a natural gender (e.g. le chat – the cat – masculine), while others are assigned a gender based on their ending (e.g. la main – the hand – feminine). It is important to memorize the gender of each noun to avoid making mistakes.
- Prepositions: French prepositions are used to express relationships between words in a sentence. Some common French prepositions include à (to/at), de (of/from), en (in/on), and par (by). These prepositions are often used with geographical names, such as “Paris” (Paris), “la France” (France), and “l’Espagne” (Spain). It is important to pay attention to the prepositions used with these nouns to avoid making mistakes in your sentence structure.
Knowing how to use capitals, articles, gender, and prepositions correctly in French is essential for accurate communication and proper grammar. With practice and attention to detail, you can master these concepts and improve your skills in the language. You can also start by learning the most popular French word.
