A Beginner’s Guide to French Grammar: Months and Seasons

Understanding how to talk about time, especially the months and seasons, is a fundamental part of learning French Grammar, particularly for beginners at the French grammar A1 level. Whether you’re discussing the weather, planning events, or simply stating your birthday, knowing the names of the months and seasons in French is essential. This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about using months and seasons in French, complete with examples and tips to help you master this topic.

The Months of the Year in French

In French, as in English, there are 12 months in the year. However, the names of the months are not capitalized unless they start a sentence, which is a key difference from English.

Here are the months of the year in French:

1. Janvier (January)
2. Février (February)
3. Mars (March)
4. Avril (April)
5. Mai (May)
6. Juin (June)
7. Juillet (July)
8. Août (August)
9. Septembre (September)
10. Octobre (October)
11. Novembre (November)
12. Décembre (December)

Examples of Using Months in Sentences:

1. Mon anniversaire est en janvier. (My birthday is in January.)
2. Nous partons en vacances en juillet. (We go on vacation in July.)
3. L’école commence en septembre. (School starts in September.)
4. Il fait très froid en décembre. (It’s very cold in December.)

The Seasons in French

There are four seasons in the year, and each season has its own unique weather patterns and activities. In French, the seasons are also not capitalized unless they start a sentence.

Here are the seasons in French:

1. Le printemps (Spring)
2. L’été (Summer)
3. L’automne (Autumn/Fall)
4. L’hiver (Winter)

Examples of Using Seasons in Sentences:

1. Le printemps arrive en mars. (Spring arrives in March.)
2. Nous aimons aller à la plage en été. (We love going to the beach in the summer.)
3. L’automne est ma saison préférée. (Autumn is my favorite season.)
4. Il neige souvent en hiver. (It often snows in winter.)

Talking About Time with Months and Seasons

When discussing time in French, it’s important to know how to use prepositions correctly with months and seasons. The preposition “en” is typically used with months and seasons, with a few exceptions.

Using “en” with Months:

The preposition “en” is used before months to indicate when something happens.

Examples:

• Je pars en vacances en août. (I’m going on vacation in August.)
• Le festival a lieu en juin. (The festival takes place in June.)
• Il fait chaud en juillet. (It’s hot in July.)

Using “en” with Seasons:

“En” is also used with most seasons, but there’s a special case for spring, where you use “au” instead of “en.”

Examples:

• Nous voyageons en été. (We travel in summer.)
• Il fait froid en hiver. (It’s cold in winter.)
• Les fleurs poussent au printemps. (Flowers bloom in spring.)

Expressing Dates in French

When expressing dates in French, the format is slightly different from English. In French, the day comes before the month.

Structure:

• Le + day + month

Example:

• Le 14 juillet (The 14th of July)

To express the first day of the month, use “le premier” instead of “le un.”

Example:

• Le premier mai (The first of May)

Examples of Dates in Sentences:

1. Aujourd’hui, c’est le 15 août. (Today is the 15th of August.)
2. Noël est le 25 décembre. (Christmas is on December 25th.)
3. La fête nationale en France est le 14 juillet. (The national holiday in France is on July 14th.)

Common Phrases Involving Months and Seasons

Learning some common phrases that involve months and seasons can help you feel more comfortable using them in conversation.

Phrases with Months:

1. Je suis né(e) en février. (I was born in February.)
2. Elle a un examen en mai. (She has an exam in May.)
3. Nous célébrons notre anniversaire de mariage en juin. (We celebrate our wedding anniversary in June.)

Phrases with Seasons:

1. Les arbres sont en fleurs au printemps. (The trees are in bloom in spring.)
2. Il fait très chaud en été. (It’s very hot in summer.)
3. Les feuilles tombent en automne. (The leaves fall in autumn.)
4. Nous faisons du ski en hiver. (We go skiing in winter.)

Cultural Insights: Months and Seasons in French-Speaking Countries

1. Seasonal Activities: In French-speaking countries, certain activities are closely associated with specific seasons. For example, “l’été” (summer) is often a time for “les vacances” (vacation) and “aller à la plage” (going to the beach), while “l’hiver” (winter) is associated with “faire du ski” (skiing) and “Noël” (Christmas).
2. National Holidays: Many French-speaking countries have national holidays tied to specific months. For instance, in France, “Le 14 juillet” (Bastille Day) is a major celebration in July, and “La Toussaint” (All Saints’ Day) is observed on “le 1er novembre.”
3. Seasonal Food: Different seasons also bring different foods. For example, “les crêpes” are commonly enjoyed during the winter, especially around “la Chandeleur” (Candlemas) in February.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Capitalization: Unlike in English, the names of months and seasons in French are not capitalized unless they begin a sentence.

• Incorrect: Juillet est chaud.
• Correct: juillet est chaud.

1. Using the Wrong Preposition: Remember to use “en” with months and most seasons, but use “au” for “printemps” (spring).

• Incorrect: En printemps, les fleurs poussent.
• Correct: Au printemps, les fleurs poussent.

1. Misplacing the Day and Month in Dates: In French, the day comes before the month when expressing a date.

• Incorrect: Le juillet 14 est la fête nationale en France.
• Correct: Le 14 juillet est la fête nationale en France.

Practice Exercises

To help reinforce your understanding of the months and seasons in French, here are some practice exercises:

1. Match the French Month with Its English Equivalent:

• Février
• Octobre
• Avril
• Septembre
• Décembre Answers:
• Février – February
• Octobre – October
• Avril – April
• Septembre – September
• Décembre – December

2. Complete the Sentences with the Correct Month or Season:

• Il fait chaud en __. (été)
• Noël est en __. (décembre)
• Les fleurs poussent au __. (printemps)
• Nous allons à la montagne en __. (hiver) Answers:
• Il fait chaud en été.
• Noël est en décembre.
• Les fleurs poussent au printemps.
• Nous allons à la montagne en hiver.

3. Translate the Following Sentences into French:

• My birthday is in June.
• We go to the beach in August.
• The leaves fall in autumn.
• We celebrate Christmas in December. Answers:
• Mon anniversaire est en juin.
• Nous allons à la plage en août.
• Les feuilles tombent en automne.
• Nous célébrons Noël en décembre.

Conclusion

Learning the months and seasons in French is an important step for beginners. These words are fundamental for everyday conversations, whether you’re discussing your plans, talking about the weather, or sharing your favorite time of year. By practicing the use of months and seasons, along with the correct prepositions and sentence structures, you can quickly improve your French language skills in France

Remember to review this guide, practice with the exercises provided, and pay attention to the cultural nuances associated with months and seasons in French-speaking countries. With consistent practice, you’ll become more confident in using these essential terms. Bonne chance (good luck) on your journey to mastering French!