Months of the year in French with Pronunciation and Examples
Ready to talk about your birthday, plan events, or simply describe the time of year in French? Learning the months of the year in French (les mois de l’année) is fundamental vocabulary that helps you navigate daily conversations and understand French culture. Just like the days of the week (a related essential), these words are crucial for situating yourself in time.
While seemingly simple, there are a few key French grammar rules and pronunciation tips to follow for fluent communication. Let’s dive in!
The Months of the Year in French
Here’s a comprehensive list of the months, along with a simplified pronunciation guide and common examples.
| French Month | English Equivalent | Simplified Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Janvier | January | jahn-vee-AY |
| Février | February | fay-vree-AY |
| Mars | March | mahrs |
| Avril | April | ah-vreel |
| Mai | May | may |
| Juin | June | jwen (like “gwen” but with a nasal ‘en’ sound) |
| Juillet | July | jwee-YAY |
| Août | August | oot (silent ‘g’) or ah-oot (depending on region) |
| Septembre | September | sep-TAHM-bruh |
| Octobre | October | ok-TO-bruh |
| Novembre | November | no-VAHM-bruh |
| Décembre | December | day-SAHM-bruh |
1. No Capitalization for Months!
Unlike in English, months of the year in French are not capitalized. This is a common pitfall for English speakers!
- Noël est en décembre. (Christmas is in December.)
- And not: Noël est en Decembre.
2. Saying “It’s [Month]”: Using “C’est”
To simply state what month it is, use the impersonal expression c’est (it is) followed directly by the month.
- C’est juillet. (It’s July.)
- C’est avril. (It’s April.)
3. Referring to Events in a Month: Using “En“
When indicating that an event occurs or will occur in a certain month, use the preposition en (in) before the month. This little word is versatile in French! You can learn more about the preposition “en” in detail.
- Mon anniversaire est en juin. (My birthday is in June.)
- L’hiver est en décembre. (Winter is in December.)
- Stefano est arrivé en août. (Stefano came in August.)
4. Referring to Specific Dates: Using “Le”
When you refer to a specific date (a particular day within a month), you must use the definite article le (the) before the number of the day, not “en.”
- Mes amies viennent le 20 juin. (My friends are coming on June 20th.)
- Mon anniversaire est le 10 août. (My birthday is on August 10th.)
For a deeper dive into how French articles like “le” work, check out this guide on French definite articles.
Common Words and Expressions Related to Time
Expand your time-related vocabulary with these frequently used French words:
Let’s see the months and related vocabulary in action!
- Quelle est la date de ton anniversaire ? (What is the date of your birthday?)
- Mon anniversaire est en mai. (My birthday is in May.)
- Une décennie a passé. (A decade has passed.)
- J’adore août. (I love August.)
- Tu n’es pas venu depuis un siècle ! (You haven’t come in a century!)
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