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B1 adverb 10 min de lectura

en moyenne

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos en moyenne en 30 segundos

Explicación en moyenne in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just beginning to describe your daily life and basic habits. While 'en moyenne' is technically a B1-level phrase because it involves more complex thought, you can start using it to describe simple things like how much you sleep or how many coffees you drink. At this stage, think of 'en moyenne' as a single block of words that means 'usually with numbers'. For example, 'Je dors 8 heures en moyenne' (I sleep 8 hours on average). You don't need to worry about the grammar of the word 'moyenne' itself; just treat the whole phrase as a way to make your simple sentences sound a bit more adult. It helps you avoid saying 'I sleep 8 hours' when you know that sometimes it's 7 and sometimes it's 9. It is a very helpful tool for being honest about your routine without needing to know complex adverbs like 'généralement' yet. Just remember: it always goes at the end of your sentence for now, and it never changes its spelling.

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At the A2 level, you are expanding your ability to talk about travel, work, and shopping. 'En moyenne' becomes very useful here for comparing things. You might use it to talk about how long a train trip takes ('Le train met 2 heures en moyenne') or how much a meal costs ('Un repas coûte 15 euros en moyenne'). You are starting to see that 'en moyenne' is used when there is a variation in the data. You aren't just giving a price; you are giving a range. At this level, you should also notice that 'en moyenne' is often followed by 'par' (per), such as 'par jour' (per day) or 'par semaine' (per week). This is a great way to build longer, more descriptive sentences. You are moving away from 'I do this' to 'I do this much over a certain time'. Try to use it when you are describing your city or your hobbies to give your listener a better sense of scale. It shows you are thinking about patterns, which is a big step up in your language development.

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As a B1 learner, you are expected to handle more abstract topics and give your opinion on social issues. This is the 'home level' for 'en moyenne'. You will use it to discuss statistics you've read in the news or to explain trends in your country. For example, 'En France, les gens partent en vacances deux fois par an en moyenne.' You should now be comfortable placing the phrase in different parts of the sentence—at the beginning for emphasis or after the verb for a natural flow. You should also start to distinguish 'en moyenne' from 'environ'. While 'environ' is for a single guess ('Il y a environ 20 personnes'), 'en moyenne' implies a calculation over time or across a group. You are also learning to use it in professional contexts, like discussing your workload or project timelines. It is a key phrase for the 'Production Orale' part of the DELF B1 exam, as it allows you to synthesize information and present a balanced view of a topic.

At the B2 level, your use of 'en moyenne' should be precise and nuanced. You are likely reading complex articles where this phrase appears in the context of sociology, economics, or science. You should be able to use it to qualify your arguments, acknowledging that while a trend exists 'en moyenne,' there are always exceptions. For example, 'Bien que le salaire augmente en moyenne, les disparités restent fortes.' Here, you are using the phrase to set up a contrast. You should also be aware of related terms like 'la moyenne arithmétique' or 'la classe moyenne' (the middle class), and understand how 'en moyenne' fits into this broader family of words. Your sentences will become more complex, perhaps combining 'en moyenne' with the subjunctive or conditional to discuss hypothetical averages. You are no longer just reporting a number; you are using the average as a tool for critical analysis. You should also be careful with the register, ensuring you don't over-use it in places where 'généralement' or 'en règle générale' would be more stylistically appropriate.

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For C1 learners, 'en moyenne' is a tool for stylistic precision. You understand that in academic or high-level professional writing, the placement of this phrase can change the focus of an entire paragraph. You might use it in the middle of a complex sentence structure: 'Cette tendance, qui s'observe en moyenne sur l'ensemble du territoire, cache pourtant des réalités locales divergentes.' Notice how it is used here to qualify a parenthetical thought. At this level, you are also exploring the subtle differences between 'en moyenne' and 'en valeur moyenne' or 'moyennant quoi'. You are expected to use the phrase with perfect grammatical accuracy, never confusing it with 'moyennement'. You can also use it to discuss more abstract 'averages', such as the 'average' behavior of a demographic or the 'average' lifespan of a concept. Your vocabulary is rich enough that you don't rely on 'en moyenne' as a crutch; instead, you use it strategically to provide clarity and weight to your data-driven arguments.

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At the C2 level, you possess a near-native command of the phrase and its various rhetorical functions. You might use 'en moyenne' in a literary context to describe a character's mundane life, or in a highly technical scientific paper to describe statistical distributions. You are aware of the philosophical implications of 'the average' and can discuss the 'homme moyen' (the average man) in a sociological debate. You can play with the phrase's position to create specific rhythmic effects in your prose. You might also use it ironically or to highlight the absurdity of reducing human experience to a single number. Your understanding of the word 'moyenne' extends to its various idiomatic and technical uses across all domains—from 'moyenne d'âge' to 'moyenne de fréquentation'. At this level, the phrase is no longer a 'vocabulary word' to be learned, but a versatile instrument in your linguistic orchestra, used to conduct complex ideas with elegance and absolute precision.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

en moyenne en 30 segundos

Used to express 'on average' in French.
A fixed adverbial phrase that never changes form.
Commonly used with numbers, time, and money.
Essential for B1 level and above for discussing statistics.

The French adverbial phrase en moyenne is a cornerstone of quantitative expression in the French language. Translating directly to "on average" or "typically," it allows speakers to synthesize data, summarize habits, and provide generalized estimates without claiming absolute precision for every individual instance. Rooted in the mathematical concept of 'la moyenne' (the mean), this phrase has permeated daily conversation far beyond the realms of arithmetic. When you use en moyenne, you are signaling to your interlocutor that you are looking at the big picture, smoothing out the peaks and valleys of a data set to find the central tendency.

Mathematical Origin: The term 'moyenne' comes from the Old French 'moien', which itself derives from the Latin 'medianus' (middle). Thus, 'en moyenne' literally places the subject in the middle of a range of values.

In a cultural context, French speakers use en moyenne to discuss everything from the weather and transit times to economic indicators and personal lifestyle choices. For instance, a Parisian might describe their commute by saying it takes forty-five minutes en moyenne, acknowledging that on some days the RER might be faster and on others, delayed. It provides a linguistic safety net, allowing for accuracy in the aggregate while remaining flexible for the specific. It is particularly prevalent in news media, where statistics about purchasing power, health, and demographics are daily staples of national discourse.

Les Français consomment en moyenne cinquante kilos de pain par an.

Beyond mere numbers, en moyenne carries a certain weight of objectivity. It suggests that the speaker has considered multiple points of data before arriving at a conclusion. Unlike 'environ' (about) or 'presque' (almost), which suggest an approximation of a single point, en moyenne implies a calculation—even if that calculation is only mental and informal. It is the difference between saying 'I usually eat at noon' and 'I eat at noon on average,' the latter implying a frequency distribution over time.

Frequency of Use: It is extremely common in both spoken and written French, appearing in 85% of economic news reports and frequently in casual conversations about time and money.

Finally, it is worth noting that en moyenne is an invariable phrase. You do not need to change it based on gender or number, making it a reliable tool for learners. Whether you are talking about 'une femme' (a woman) or 'plusieurs pays' (several countries), the phrase remains exactly the same. This stability makes it one of the most accessible yet sophisticated-sounding adverbs for intermediate learners to master. By integrating it into your vocabulary, you bridge the gap between basic fluency and the ability to discuss complex, real-world data.

The placement of en moyenne within a French sentence is relatively flexible, but there are preferred positions that help the sentence flow naturally. Most commonly, it appears directly after the verb or at the very end of the clause. Unlike English, where "on average" can sometimes feel clunky if misplaced, the French en moyenne fits seamlessly into the rhythm of the sentence, often acting as a quantitative modifier for the entire action described.

Ce projet prendra six mois en moyenne pour être achevé.

When emphasizing the statistic itself, speakers often place en moyenne immediately after the number or the quantity it modifies. This structure is particularly effective in technical writing or reporting. For example, 'Un employé gagne 2500 euros en moyenne par mois' focuses the 'average' specifically on the salary figure. If you move it to the beginning of the sentence—'En moyenne, un employé gagne...'—the emphasis shifts to the general nature of the statement, setting the stage for a generalization.

Positioning Rule: Post-verb: 'Il pleut en moyenne dix jours par mois.' (Standard). Clause-final: 'Il pleut dix jours par mois en moyenne.' (Emphasis on the total). Sentence-initial: 'En moyenne, il pleut dix jours par mois.' (Formal/Reporting).

One of the nuances of using en moyenne involves its interaction with other adverbs of frequency. It is rarely used alongside words like 'souvent' (often) or 'parfois' (sometimes) because en moyenne already provides a frequency context. Instead, it pairs beautifully with time expressions like 'par jour' (per day), 'par an' (per year), or 'par personne' (per person). These combinations allow for highly specific descriptions of trends. For instance, 'Nous recevons cinq appels en moyenne par heure' provides a clear, professional-sounding metric.

For advanced learners, en moyenne can also be used to qualify adjectives, though this is less common than its use with verbs and numbers. You might hear 'un résultat en moyenne satisfaisant,' meaning a result that is, on average, satisfactory. However, in most cases, learners should stick to its primary function as a quantifier for actions and amounts. This ensures clarity and avoids the awkwardness of over-complicating a simple statistical concept.

Elle travaille quarante heures par semaine en moyenne.

If you turn on a French news station like France Info or BFM TV, you will hear en moyenne within the first five minutes. It is the language of the 'journaliste' who must report on inflation, weather patterns, or election polls. In these contexts, it lends an air of authority and scientific rigor to the reporting. When a reporter says, 'Les prix ont augmenté de 3% en moyenne,' they are summarizing a complex economic reality into a digestible figure for the public.

News & Media: Used to report on 'le pouvoir d'achat' (purchasing power), 'la météo' (weather), and 'les sondages' (polls).

In the professional world, en moyenne is indispensable for meetings and presentations. Whether discussing 'le chiffre d'affaires' (turnover) or 'le temps de réponse' (response time), French professionals rely on this phrase to provide benchmarks. It allows colleagues to discuss performance without getting bogged down in every single outlier. A manager might say, 'Nos clients attendent en moyenne deux minutes au téléphone,' setting a standard for the team's efficiency. It is the language of KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) in a French-speaking office.

Le trajet dure trente minutes en moyenne selon la circulation.

Surprisingly, you will also hear it in very casual, domestic settings. Parents use it when talking about their children's sleep habits or school grades ('Il a 14 de moyenne en maths'). Friends use it when planning outings or discussing hobbies. If you ask a French friend how much they spend on groceries, they will likely start their answer with 'En moyenne...' because it feels more honest than giving a fixed number that changes every week. It reflects a cultural preference for nuance over rigid, potentially inaccurate statements.

Finally, in the world of sports and gaming, en moyenne is used to track performance. Commentators during the Tour de France will discuss the 'vitesse moyenne' (average speed) of the peloton, and gamers will track their 'moyenne de points' (points average). In every sphere of life where performance is measured over time, this phrase is the linguistic bridge between individual effort and overall result.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is trying to translate "on average" literally as *'sur moyenne'* or *'à la moyenne'*. In French, the preposition is strictly en. Using any other preposition will immediately signal that you are translating from English rather than thinking in French. Remember: it is always en moyenne, never anything else when you want to say 'on average'.

Preposition Pitfall: Incorrect: 'Sur moyenne, je mange deux pommes.' Correct: 'En moyenne, je mange deux pommes.'

Another common mistake is confusing en moyenne with the adverb moyennement. While they share the same root, they have very different meanings. Moyennement means 'moderately' or 'so-so' in terms of intensity or quality. If you say, 'Je suis moyennement content,' you mean you are only somewhat happy. If you say, 'Je suis en moyenne content' (which is grammatically weird), you would be trying to say you are happy on average over a period of time. Beginners often swap these two, leading to significant confusion.

Attention : Ne confondez pas en moyenne (statistique) avec moyennement (intensité).

A third error involves the use of articles. English speakers often want to say *'en la moyenne'* or *'dans une moyenne'*. Because 'moyenne' is a noun, it feels natural to put an article before it. However, en moyenne is a fixed adverbial locution. In these types of French expressions, the article is often dropped. Think of it like 'en voiture' or 'en train'; the preposition 'en' frequently absorbs the need for a specific article, focusing on the state or manner rather than the specific object.

Lastly, learners sometimes struggle with where to place the phrase in relation to the word 'par' (per). The most natural sounding structure is [Number] + [En moyenne] + [Par + Time/Unit]. For example: 'Dix euros en moyenne par jour.' While you can say 'En moyenne dix euros par jour,' putting the phrase in the middle can sometimes break the logical flow of the sentence for a native ear. Practice the 'Number-Phrase-Unit' sandwich to sound more authentic.

While en moyenne is the most direct way to say 'on average,' French offers several alternatives depending on whether you want to emphasize approximation, generality, or a typical standard. Understanding these synonyms helps you avoid repetition and adds texture to your speech. The most common 'cousin' to this phrase is généralement (generally), which describes a habit without necessarily implying a mathematical calculation.

Comparison: En Moyenne vs. Environ: 'Environ' means 'about' or 'approximately'. It is used for a single estimate. 'En moyenne' implies that multiple instances were considered to find a middle point.

Another useful alternative is d'ordinaire or en règle générale. These phrases are better suited for describing behaviors or rules rather than numbers. If you say, 'En règle générale, le magasin ferme à 19h,' you are talking about the policy. If you say, 'Le magasin ferme en moyenne à 19h,' it sounds like the closing time fluctuates and you've calculated the mean, which sounds slightly odd for a shop's schedule. Use en moyenne for data and généralement for behavior.

Globalement, l'économie se porte bien, même si certains secteurs souffrent.

For a more formal or academic tone, you might use en moyenne arithmétique if you need to be technically precise, or globalement (overall/globally) when summarizing a large set of qualitative data. Globalement is excellent for concluding a presentation or a long explanation. It suggests that while there may be exceptions, the overall trend is clear. It is less about the 'middle number' and more about the 'total impression'.

Register Differences: 'À peu près' is very informal and common in speech. 'En moyenne' is neutral and works in all contexts. 'Moyennant' is a completely different word meaning 'in exchange for'.

In summary, choose en moyenne when there is a numerical or quantitative element involved. Choose généralement for lifestyle habits, environ for quick guesses, and globalement for broad summaries. Mastering these distinctions will make your French sound much more natural and precise to native speakers.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"En moyenne, les investissements ont généré un profit de 4%."

Neutral

"Je mange deux fruits en moyenne par jour."

Informal

"On met 10 minutes en moyenne pour y aller."

Child friendly

"Les lapins mangent beaucoup de carottes en moyenne !"

Jerga

"Son niveau est grave dans la moyenne, rien de spécial."

Dato curioso

In the French school system, 'la moyenne' is the magic number 10 out of 20. If you have 'la moyenne', you pass. It is a huge cultural concept for students.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /ɑ̃ mwa.jɛn/

US /ɑ̃ mwa.jɛn/

Stress is on the last syllable: moy-ENNE.

Rima con

vienne tienne sienne italienne parisienne ancienne antenne peine

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the 'n' in 'en' (it should be nasal).
Pronouncing 'moyenne' like 'moy-een'. It should be 'yenn'.
Failing to pronounce the final 'n' sound in 'moyenne'.
Trying to pronounce it as three syllables (mo-y-enne) instead of two main beats (mwa-yenn).
Confusing the nasal 'en' with 'un'.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easily recognized in texts due to its frequency.

Escritura 3/5

Learners often forget the 'en' or try to add an article.

Expresión oral 3/5

Placement in the sentence requires some practice for flow.

Escucha 2/5

The nasal 'en' followed by 'm' is distinct.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

le milieu environ généralement le chiffre compter

Aprende después

moyennant médiocre la hausse la baisse globalement

Avanzado

l'écart-type la moyenne pondérée le quotient la médiane

Gramática que debes saber

Fixed Preposition

Always use 'en' with 'moyenne' for 'on average'.

No Article

It is 'en moyenne', not 'en la moyenne'.

Adverbial Position

Often follows the verb: 'Il court en moyenne...'

Nouns vs Adverbs

Don't confuse 'la moyenne' (noun) with 'en moyenne' (adverb).

Agreement

The phrase 'en moyenne' is invariable; it never changes.

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Ejemplos por nivel

Je dors huit heures en moyenne.

I sleep eight hours on average.

Simple placement at the end of the sentence.

Il boit deux cafés en moyenne par jour.

He drinks two coffees on average per day.

Using 'par jour' to specify the time frame.

Elle mange trois fruits en moyenne.

She eats three fruits on average.

Invariable phrase; 'moyenne' doesn't change for 'fruits'.

Nous marchons cinq kilomètres en moyenne.

We walk five kilometers on average.

Used with a unit of distance.

Le ticket coûte dix euros en moyenne.

The ticket costs ten euros on average.

Used to describe a common price.

Il y a vingt élèves en moyenne par classe.

There are twenty students on average per class.

Describing a typical group size.

Je regarde la télé une heure en moyenne.

I watch TV for one hour on average.

Describing a daily habit.

En moyenne, il fait chaud ici.

On average, it is hot here.

Starting the sentence with the phrase for emphasis.

Le voyage dure trois heures en moyenne.

The trip lasts three hours on average.

Describing duration of travel.

Les Français lisent dix livres en moyenne par an.

The French read ten books on average per year.

Using 'par an' for annual statistics.

Un appartement coûte cher en moyenne à Paris.

An apartment is expensive on average in Paris.

Using the phrase with an adjective like 'cher'.

Il pleut dix jours en moyenne en avril.

It rains ten days on average in April.

Describing weather patterns.

Je reçois vingt messages en moyenne par jour.

I receive twenty messages on average per day.

Modern daily life context.

Les enfants jouent deux heures en moyenne dehors.

Children play for two hours on average outside.

Describing activity duration.

Ce bus passe toutes les dix minutes en moyenne.

This bus comes every ten minutes on average.

Describing frequency of service.

En moyenne, je dépense cinquante euros par semaine.

On average, I spend fifty euros per week.

Budgeting context.

Les salaires ont augmenté de 2% en moyenne cette année.

Salaries increased by 2% on average this year.

Economic context using percentages.

En moyenne, un utilisateur passe trois heures sur les réseaux sociaux.

On average, a user spends three hours on social media.

Sociological observation.

Le film a reçu une note de 4 sur 5 en moyenne.

The movie received a rating of 4 out of 5 on average.

Discussing ratings and reviews.

Nous produisons trop de déchets en moyenne par habitant.

We produce too much waste on average per inhabitant.

Environmental discussion.

Les étudiants travaillent trente heures par semaine en moyenne.

Students work thirty hours per week on average.

Educational context.

En moyenne, les femmes vivent plus longtemps que les hommes.

On average, women live longer than men.

Demographic comparison.

Cette voiture consomme six litres aux cent kilomètres en moyenne.

This car consumes six liters per hundred kilometers on average.

Technical specification.

Les prix sont restés stables en moyenne sur le trimestre.

Prices remained stable on average over the quarter.

Business reporting.

La température mondiale a grimpé d'un degré en moyenne.

The global temperature has risen by one degree on average.

Climate change context.

En moyenne, les entreprises investissent 5% de leur budget en R&D.

On average, companies invest 5% of their budget in R&D.

Corporate strategy context.

Le taux de chômage a baissé en moyenne dans la zone euro.

The unemployment rate has decreased on average in the eurozone.

Macroeconomic reporting.

Les vols ont un retard de quinze minutes en moyenne cet été.

Flights have a delay of fifteen minutes on average this summer.

Travel logistics.

En moyenne, un foyer français possède deux téléviseurs.

On average, a French household owns two televisions.

Consumer statistics.

Les rendements agricoles sont en moyenne plus élevés cette saison.

Agricultural yields are on average higher this season.

Agricultural context.

Le temps de sommeil a diminué en moyenne de vingt minutes.

Sleep time has decreased on average by twenty minutes.

Health and lifestyle trend.

En moyenne, les jeunes quittent le domicile parental à 24 ans.

On average, young people leave the parental home at 24.

Societal trend.

Le pouvoir d'achat a progressé, mais seulement en moyenne arithmétique.

Purchasing power has progressed, but only in arithmetic average.

Adding 'arithmétique' for technical precision.

En moyenne, les disparités salariales tendent à se résorber lentement.

On average, wage disparities tend to be absorbed slowly.

Formal sociological analysis.

Ces données révèlent une légère hausse, en moyenne pondérée, des coûts.

These data reveal a slight increase, in weighted average, of costs.

Using 'moyenne pondérée' (weighted average).

L'espérance de vie progresse en moyenne de trois mois par an.

Life expectancy progresses on average by three months per year.

Precise demographic data.

En moyenne, les politiques publiques peinent à atteindre leurs cibles.

On average, public policies struggle to reach their targets.

Political science context.

Le trafic internet a été multiplié par dix en moyenne sur la décennie.

Internet traffic has been multiplied by ten on average over the decade.

Long-term trend analysis.

En moyenne, le sentiment d'insécurité diminue malgré les gros titres.

On average, the feeling of insecurity decreases despite the headlines.

Contrasting perception with statistical average.

Les précipitations sont restées dans la moyenne saisonnière en moyenne nationale.

Precipitation remained within the seasonal average on a national average.

Using 'moyenne' twice for different scales.

L'individu moyen n'existe pas, il n'est qu'une abstraction calculée en moyenne.

The average individual does not exist; he is merely an abstraction calculated on average.

Philosophical/Sociological reflection.

En moyenne, la volatilité des marchés s'estompe sur le très long terme.

On average, market volatility fades over the very long term.

Financial theory context.

La littérature de cette époque traite, en moyenne, de la condition ouvrière.

The literature of this era deals, on average, with the working-class condition.

Literary analysis using generalization.

En moyenne, les systèmes démocratiques font preuve d'une plus grande résilience.

On average, democratic systems demonstrate greater resilience.

Political philosophy.

L'érosion côtière s'établit en moyenne à deux mètres par an sur ce littoral.

Coastal erosion is established on average at two meters per year on this coastline.

Scientific/Geological precision.

En moyenne, l'apport calorique a doublé depuis le début du siècle dernier.

On average, caloric intake has doubled since the beginning of the last century.

Historical health data.

La rentabilité de l'investissement s'apprécie en moyenne sur quinze exercices.

The profitability of the investment is appreciated on average over fifteen fiscal years.

Advanced accounting/finance.

En moyenne, l'entropie d'un système fermé ne peut que croître.

On average, the entropy of a closed system can only increase.

Thermodynamics context.

Colocaciones comunes

en moyenne par jour

en moyenne par an

coûter en moyenne

gagner en moyenne

durer en moyenne

en moyenne nationale

bien au-dessus de la moyenne

en moyenne arithmétique

marcher en moyenne

dormir en moyenne

Frases Comunes

C'est dans la moyenne.

— It is within the expected or typical range.

Ton score au test ? C'est dans la moyenne.

Au-dessus de la moyenne.

— Better or higher than the typical value.

Il est intelligent, bien au-dessus de la moyenne.

En dessous de la moyenne.

— Lower or worse than the typical value.

La température est en dessous de la moyenne de saison.

Établir une moyenne.

— To calculate or determine an average.

Il faut établir une moyenne sur trois mois.

La moyenne d'âge.

— The average age of a group.

La moyenne d'âge des invités est de 30 ans.

Une moyenne de...

— An average of [number].

Il y a une moyenne de 5 fautes par page.

Faire la moyenne.

— To do the math to find the average.

On va faire la moyenne de nos deux scores.

La classe moyenne.

— The middle class.

La classe moyenne est touchée par l'inflation.

Moyenne section.

— The second year of French kindergarten.

Ma fille est en moyenne section.

En moyenne générale.

— Overall average (often used for school grades).

Il a 15 de moyenne générale.

Se confunde a menudo con

en moyenne vs moyennement

Means 'moderately' or 'somewhat', not 'on average'.

en moyenne vs environ

Means 'about'; used for single estimates, not averages over time.

en moyenne vs au milieu

Means 'in the middle' of a physical space.

Modismos y expresiones

"Être dans la moyenne."

— To be average/ordinary; not standing out.

C'est un restaurant correct, il est dans la moyenne.

neutral

"Ne pas être dans la moyenne."

— To be exceptional (either good or bad).

Ses talents de pianiste ne sont pas dans la moyenne.

neutral

"La moyenne des mortels."

— The average person (often used slightly humorously).

C'est trop complexe pour le commun des mortels.

literary/humorous

"Sortir de la moyenne."

— To stand out from the crowd.

Elle a une voix qui sort de la moyenne.

neutral

"Moyenne de survie."

— Minimum required to get by.

C'est ma moyenne de survie en caféine.

informal

"Avoir la moyenne."

— To get a passing grade (usually 10/20 in France).

J'espère avoir la moyenne à l'examen.

educational

"Juste la moyenne."

— Barely passing; mediocre.

Il a eu juste la moyenne en histoire.

neutral

"En moyenne montagne."

— Referring to medium-altitude mountains (1000-2000m).

Nous faisons de la randonnée en moyenne montagne.

geographical

"La loi des moyennes."

— The law of averages.

Selon la loi des moyennes, on devrait gagner bientôt.

neutral

"Un Français moyen."

— The stereotypical average French person.

Que pense le Français moyen de cette réforme ?

sociological

Fácil de confundir

en moyenne vs Moyen

It's the masculine adjective form.

Used as an adjective (le Français moyen) or noun (un moyen de transport).

C'est un homme moyen.

en moyenne vs Moyennant

Sounds similar.

Means 'in exchange for' or 'provided that'.

Moyennant finance, il a accepté.

en moyenne vs Moyennement

Derived from the same root.

Indicates intensity or quality level (moderately).

Je suis moyennement convaincu.

en moyenne vs Médian

Related statistical concept.

Refers to the middle value in a list, not the calculated mean.

Le salaire médian est différent du salaire moyen.

en moyenne vs Généralement

Similar usage in English.

Used for habits and rules, whereas 'en moyenne' is for quantities.

Généralement, je bois du thé.

Patrones de oraciones

Sujet + Verbe + Nombre + en moyenne.

Je mange 2 pommes en moyenne.

Sujet + Verbe + en moyenne + par + Temps.

Il travaille en moyenne par jour.

En moyenne, + Sujet + Verbe + Objet.

En moyenne, les gens aiment le chocolat.

Sujet + Verbe + de + Pourcentage + en moyenne.

Le prix a augmenté de 5% en moyenne.

Sujet + Verbe + Adjectif + en moyenne.

Le résultat est satisfaisant en moyenne.

Sujet + , en moyenne, + Verbe.

La population, en moyenne, vieillit.

En moyenne pondérée, + Sujet + Verbe.

En moyenne pondérée, le risque est faible.

Sujet + Verbe + (Expression de comparaison) + la moyenne.

Cela dépasse de loin la moyenne.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

Verbos

Adjetivos

Relacionado

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Very frequent in both spoken and written French.

Errores comunes

Sur moyenne → En moyenne
English speakers translate 'on' as 'sur'. In French, the preposition is 'en'.
Je suis en moyenne fatigué. → Je suis moyennement fatigué.
Use 'moyennement' for intensity/feeling, not 'en moyenne'.
En la moyenne → En moyenne
Fixed expressions in French often drop the article. Do not use 'la'.
Ils sont en moyennes. → Ils sont en moyenne.
The phrase is an adverbial locution and is always singular.
Environ par jour → En moyenne par jour
'Environ' doesn't work well with 'par jour' for describing a recurring average.

Consejos

No Article Needed

Never say 'en la moyenne'. The phrase is fixed as 'en moyenne'. It's like 'en voiture' or 'en prison'.

Pair with 'Par'

Combine 'en moyenne' with 'par jour', 'par mois', or 'par personne' to sound like a native speaker describing trends.

Moyenne vs Moyennement

Remember: 'En moyenne' = numbers/stats. 'Moyennement' = how much you like or feel something (moderately).

Formal Contexts

In essays, use 'En moyenne,' at the start of a sentence to introduce a summary of your data points.

Nasal 'En'

Make sure the 'en' is a pure nasal vowel. Don't let your tongue touch the roof of your mouth for the 'n'.

School Grades

In France, 'la moyenne' is 10/20. If you get 10, you pass. It's a huge milestone for students!

News Keywords

When you hear 'en moyenne' on the news, get ready to hear a number or a percentage right after.

Invariable

Don't worry about gender or number agreement. 'En moyenne' is always the same, no matter what you're talking about.

Softening Numbers

Use it to avoid being too specific if you're not sure. It makes you sound more careful and accurate.

Average vs Median

In technical French, 'moyenne' is the mean. If you specifically mean the middle value, use 'médiane'.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'EN MOYENNE' as 'IN the MIDDLE'. The 'M' in Moyenne stands for 'Middle'.

Asociación visual

Imagine a bell curve graph. 'En moyenne' is the tall peak right in the middle.

Word Web

Statistiques Chiffres Habitudes Calcul Milieu Normalité Généralisation Estimation

Desafío

Try to describe your day using 'en moyenne' for three different things: sleep, coffee, and screen time.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Old French 'moien', which comes from the Latin 'medianus', meaning 'middle' or 'in the center'. It shares roots with the English word 'median' and 'middle'.

Significado original: The original meaning was strictly related to the physical middle or center of something before it became a statistical term.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using 'moyen' to describe a person, as it can imply 'mediocre' or 'unexceptional' if not used carefully.

English speakers often say 'on average'. In French, 'on' becomes 'en'. Don't use 'sur'!

L'Homme Moyen by Adolphe Quetelet (sociology) La Classe Moyenne (political concept) Moyenne Section (kindergarten level)

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Finance/Economy

le salaire moyen
en moyenne annuelle
le taux moyen
la moyenne boursière

Education

avoir la moyenne
la moyenne de classe
la moyenne générale
calculer la moyenne

Weather

la température moyenne
en moyenne saisonnière
les précipitations moyennes
au-dessus des moyennes

Daily Habits

en moyenne par jour
dormir en moyenne
manger en moyenne
dépenser en moyenne

Travel

vitesse moyenne
temps de trajet moyen
en moyenne 2 heures
distance moyenne

Inicios de conversación

"Combien d'heures dors-tu en moyenne par nuit ?"

"En moyenne, combien de cafés bois-tu par jour ?"

"Quel est le prix d'un café en moyenne dans ta ville ?"

"Combien de temps passes-tu sur ton téléphone en moyenne ?"

"En moyenne, combien de fois par an pars-tu en vacances ?"

Temas para diario

Décris ta routine hebdomadaire en utilisant 'en moyenne' pour tes activités principales.

Est-ce que tu penses que tu es 'dans la moyenne' par rapport à tes amis ? Pourquoi ?

Analyse tes dépenses du mois dernier : combien as-tu dépensé en moyenne par jour ?

Réfléchis à l'importance des statistiques : est-ce que 'en moyenne' reflète toujours la réalité ?

Compare ta vie actuelle à ta vie il y a cinq ans en utilisant des moyennes (sommeil, travail, loisirs).

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No. In French, the only correct preposition for 'on average' is 'en'. 'Sur moyenne' is an incorrect literal translation from English.

Usually after the verb or after the quantity it refers to. For example: 'Il court 5 km en moyenne.' You can also put it at the beginning: 'En moyenne, il court 5 km.'

It is neutral. It works perfectly in casual conversation, business meetings, and academic writing. It is a very versatile phrase.

No. In the phrase 'en moyenne', it is always singular and invariable. You never write 'en moyennes'.

'Environ' is for one estimate (about 5 people). 'En moyenne' implies you looked at several instances and found the middle (5 people on average per day).

You say 'au-dessus de la moyenne'. For 'below average', use 'en dessous de la moyenne'.

Yes. If your grade is 10/20, you have 'la moyenne'. If you calculate all your grades together, it's your 'moyenne générale'.

Yes, to describe a demographic. 'En moyenne, les Français aiment le fromage.' But to call a person 'average', you use the adjective 'moyen'.

No. For 'so-so', use 'moyennement' or 'couci-couça'. 'En moyenne' is strictly statistical.

Yes, 'la moyenne' is feminine, which is why the phrase is 'en moyenne' (and the masculine adjective is 'moyen').

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