Day: January 25, 2008

Learning how to write the date in French is essential for anyone studying the language. This guide will provide you with the vocabulary and structure needed to master this skill. Knowing how to express dates in French will enrich your conversations, whether you’re planning an event, writing a letter, or filling out forms.

Writing the date in French involves a unique structure that differs from English. By mastering this skill, you’ll be able to handle various everyday tasks more effectively and communicate more clearly in French-speaking environments.

Check it out!

Numbers in French

Understanding numbers is crucial as they form the backbone of any date format. Knowing how to count and use these numbers in context will make writing and speaking about dates much easier. Let’s review the numbers you’ll need to write the date in French. We will start at 11, but if you want a refresher on the numbers from 0 to 10 in French, check our episode 6.

Numbers from 11 to 31 in French

These are the numbers you’ll use most frequently when writing dates, as they cover the range from the 11th to the 31st of any month. Knowing how to write the date in French is essential.

• Onze
• Douze
• Treize
• Quatorze
• Quinze
• Seize
• Dix-sept
• Dix-huit
• Dix-neuf
• Vingt
• Vingt-et-un
• Vingt-deux
• Vingt-trois
• Trente

Multiples of ten

Learning these multiples will help you when dealing with larger numbers, such as years and centuries.

• Quarante
• Cinquante
• Soixante
• Soixante-dix
• Quatre-vingt
• Quatre-vingt-dix
• Cent
• Deux cents
• Trois cents
• Mille

Days of the Week

Knowing the days of the week is essential for accurately stating dates. Practice using these terms regularly to become more comfortable with them.

• Lundi Monday
• Mardi Tuesday
• Mercredi Wednesday
• Jeudi Thursday
• Vendredi Friday
• Samedi Saturday
• Dimanche Sunday

Months of the Year

The months in French are similar to their English counterparts, which makes them relatively easy to remember and use.

• Janvier January
• Février February
• Mars March
• Avril April
• Mai May
• Juin June
• Juillet July
• Août August
• Septembre September
• Octobre October
• Novembre November
• Décembre December

Would you like to hear these numbers, days and months pronounced? Listen to episode 12 of Season 1 of the Coffee Break French podcast for more insights and useful phrases to learn how to write the date in French.

Structuring the Date

Structuring the date correctly is vital for clear communication. This format is used in both spoken and written French, so practising it will enhance your fluency and help you know how to write the date in French.

To write the date in French, follow this structure:

• day of the week + number + month + year

Unlike in American English, in French, like in British English, the day comes before the month. For example:

• Aujourd’hui nous sommes le lundi vingt mars deux mille vingt-quatre. Today is Monday, March 20, 2024.

• Je suis né le… I was born on…

Examples:

These examples show how dates are structured in real-life contexts, helping you see how the rules are applied.

• Aujourd’hui nous sommes le vendredi douze mai deux mille vingt-trois. Today is Friday, May 12, 2023.
• Je suis né le vingt-cinq décembre mille neuf cent quatre-vingt-dix. I was born on December 25, 1990.

Practice Writing Dates

Practising with different dates will solidify your understanding and help you become more confident in writing them accurately.

1. Monday March 14, 2022
2. Tuesday August 1, 1995
3. Tuesday October 31, 2000
4. Thursday July 4, 1776

Answers:

• Le lundi quatorze mars deux mille vingt-deux.
• Le mardi premier août mille neuf cent quatre-vingt-quinze.
• Le mardi trente et un octobre deux mille.
• Le jeudi quatre juillet mille sept cent soixante-seize.

By practising how to write the date in French, you will improve your understanding of the language and feel more confident in various contexts. Whether it’s for personal use or formal writing, mastering dates in French is an important step in your language-learning journey. So, the next time you wonder how to write a date in French, remember these tips and keep practising!

Do you want to keep improving your French skills? Then check the article we prepared to help you to follow and give directions in French.