Understanding Basic Prepositions of Time in French: Le Matin, L’après-midi, Le Soir

Understanding Basic Prepositions of Time in French: Le Matin, L’après-midi, Le Soir

Learning how to express time is crucial for anyone starting to learn French, particularly at the A1 level. Time-related prepositions are essential for discussing daily activities, scheduling events, and understanding when things happen. In this guide, we will explore the basic prepositions of time in French, specifically focusing on “Le matin” (in the morning), “L’après-midi” (in the afternoon), and “Le soir” (in the evening). This comprehensive article will provide examples, explain common uses, and offer tips on how to avoid common mistakes.

What Are Prepositions of Time?

Prepositions of time in French are words or phrases that provide information about when something happens. They are essential for constructing sentences that accurately describe the timing of events. The three key prepositions of time we’ll discuss are “le matin,” “l’après-midi,” and “le soir.”

Le Matin: In the Morning

“Le matin” refers to the morning time, typically from sunrise until noon. It’s used to describe actions or events that take place during this period.

Usage of “Le Matin”

1. Daily Activities: Use “le matin” to describe routine activities that happen in the morning.

• Example: Je me lève tôt le matin. (I wake up early in the morning.)

1. Specific Times in the Morning: Combine “le matin” with specific times to indicate when something occurs.

• Example: Le train part à sept heures le matin. (The train leaves at seven in the morning.)

1. General References: Use “le matin” when referring to the morning in a general sense.

• Example: Le matin est le meilleur moment pour faire du sport. (The morning is the best time to exercise.)

Examples of “Le Matin”

1. Talking About Morning Routines:

• Le matin, je bois du café. (In the morning, I drink coffee.)
• Je fais du jogging le matin. (I jog in the morning.)
• Le matin, je lis le journal. (In the morning, I read the newspaper.)

1. Setting Morning Appointments:

• Nous avons une réunion le matin. (We have a meeting in the morning.)
• Le matin, je vais au marché. (In the morning, I go to the market.)

1. Expressing Preferences:

• J’aime travailler le matin. (I like to work in the morning.)
• Le matin est calme. (The morning is calm.)

L’après-midi: In the Afternoon

“L’après-midi” refers to the afternoon, typically from noon until around 6 PM. This period is often associated with activities that occur after lunch and before the evening begins.

Usage of “L’après-midi”

1. Scheduled Events: Use “l’après-midi” to describe activities that are planned for the afternoon.

• Example: Je vais à la piscine l’après-midi. (I go to the pool in the afternoon.)

1. General References: Use “l’après-midi” when talking about the afternoon in a general sense.

• Example: L’après-midi est un bon moment pour étudier. (The afternoon is a good time to study.)

1. Combining with Specific Times: Like “le matin,” you can combine “l’après-midi” with specific times.

• Example: Mon cours commence à deux heures l’après-midi. (My class starts at 2 PM in the afternoon.)

Examples of “L’après-midi”

1. Afternoon Activities:

• L’après-midi, je fais la sieste. (In the afternoon, I take a nap.)
• Nous jouons au tennis l’après-midi. (We play tennis in the afternoon.)

1. Scheduling Events:

• Je vais au cinéma l’après-midi. (I go to the cinema in the afternoon.)
• J’ai un rendez-vous chez le médecin l’après-midi. (I have a doctor’s appointment in the afternoon.)

1. General Afternoon Descriptions:

• L’après-midi, il fait souvent chaud. (In the afternoon, it’s often hot.)
• L’après-midi est parfait pour se détendre. (The afternoon is perfect for relaxing.)

Le Soir: In the Evening

“Le soir” refers to the evening, typically from around 6 PM until bedtime. This time is usually reserved for winding down, having dinner, and engaging in leisure activities.

Usage of “Le Soir”

1. Evening Plans: Use “le soir” to describe activities or plans that happen in the evening.

• Example: Je dîne avec ma famille le soir. (I have dinner with my family in the evening.)

1. Describing the Time of Day: “Le soir” can be used to generally describe the evening as a time of day.

• Example: Le soir, les rues sont calmes. (In the evening, the streets are quiet.)

1. Combining with Specific Times: Just like “le matin” and “l’après-midi,” you can pair “le soir” with specific times.

• Example: Le film commence à huit heures le soir. (The movie starts at 8 PM in the evening.)

Examples of “Le Soir”

1. Evening Routines:

• Le soir, je regarde la télévision. (In the evening, I watch television.)
• Je lis un livre le soir. (I read a book in the evening.)

1. Evening Events:

• Nous sortons dîner le soir. (We go out for dinner in the evening.)
• Le soir, je fais une promenade. (In the evening, I take a walk.)

1. Describing the Evening Atmosphere:

• Le soir, il y a souvent des étoiles. (In the evening, there are often stars.)
• Le soir est agréable en été. (The evening is pleasant in summer.)

Combining Prepositions of Time

In many cases, you might need to combine these time-related prepositions to describe more complex schedules or activities that span different parts of the day.

Examples of Combined Time Descriptions

1. Full-Day Schedule:

• Le matin, je travaille; l’après-midi, je fais du sport; le soir, je me repose. (In the morning, I work; in the afternoon, I exercise; in the evening, I rest.)

1. Specific Time References:

• Je commence à étudier le matin et je continue l’après-midi. (I start studying in the morning and continue in the afternoon.)
• Nous organisons une fête l’après-midi et continuons le soir. (We organize a party in the afternoon and continue in the evening.)

1. Daily Routine:

• Le matin, je prends mon petit-déjeuner, l’après-midi je vais au travail, et le soir, je rentre chez moi. (In the morning, I have breakfast, in the afternoon I go to work, and in the evening, I return home.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Incorrect Use of Articles: Remember that “le” is used before “matin,” “soir,” and “l’après-midi.” Don’t omit the article.

• Incorrect: Je fais du jogging matin.
• Correct: Je fais du jogging le matin.

1. Confusing Morning and Evening: Be careful not to mix up “le matin” and “le soir,” as these refer to opposite times of day.

• Incorrect: Je me lève à huit heures le soir. (I wake up at 8 PM.)
• Correct: Je me lève à huit heures le matin. (I wake up at 8 AM.)

1. Misuse of Time References: Ensure that you use the correct preposition for the time of day you’re describing.

• Incorrect: Je dîne à midi le soir. (I have dinner at noon in the evening.)
• Correct: Je dîne à midi. (I have lunch at noon.)

Practice Exercises

Here are some exercises to help you practice using these prepositions of time:

1. Fill in the blanks with the correct time preposition (le matin, l’après-midi, le soir):

• _, je vais à l’école. (In the morning, I go to school.)
• Nous jouons au football _. (We play soccer in the afternoon.)
• _, je lis avant de dormir. (In the evening, I read before sleeping.) Answers:
• Le matin, je vais à l’école.
• Nous jouons au football l’après-midi.
• Le soir, je lis avant de dormir.

2. Translate the following sentences into French:

• In the morning, I drink coffee.
• We have a meeting in the afternoon.
• She watches TV in the evening. Answers:
• Le matin, je bois du café.
• Nous avons une réunion l’après-midi.
• Elle regarde la télévision le soir.

3. Correct the mistakes in the following sentences:

• Je fais du jogging matin.
• Le soirée, je mange à huit heures.
• L’après midi, je dors. Answers:
• Je fais du jogging le matin.
• Le soir, je mange à huit heures.
• L’après-midi, je dors.

Cultural

Insights: Time in French-Speaking Countries

1. Meal Times: In French culture, meal times are quite structured. “Le matin” typically involves a light breakfast, “l’après-midi” may include a light snack or “goûter,” and “le soir” is reserved for the main meal of the day, often enjoyed with family or friends.
2. Work and Leisure: The workday in French-speaking countries often starts “le matin” and continues “l’après-midi,” with many businesses and schools ending their day “le soir.”
3. Social Norms: Social activities often begin “l’après-midi” and extend into “le soir,” especially in urban areas where dining out and evening events are popular.

Conclusion

Mastering the basic prepositions of time in French, such as “le matin,” “l’après-midi,” and “le soir,” is essential for effective communication. These phrases allow you to describe your daily routines, plan events, and discuss various activities with clarity and precision. By practicing regularly and paying attention to common mistakes, you can quickly become proficient in using these time expressions in everyday conversations.

Remember, understanding how to express time not only helps in communication but also provides insight into French culture and daily life. Whether you’re describing your morning routine or making evening plans, these prepositions will become indispensable tools in your French language journey. Bonne chance (good luck) on your journey to mastering French!

Links:
French Grammar
French Vocabulary