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A1 noun #1,000 más común 11 min de lectura

temps

Top 1,000

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos temps en 30 segundos

Explicación temps in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'temps' is primarily introduced in two contexts: telling the weather and expressing basic time needs. You will learn the question 'Quel temps fait-il ?' to ask about the weather and phrases like 'Il fait beau temps' (It's nice weather). You will also use it to say you have or don't have time: 'J'ai le temps' or 'Je n'ai pas le temps'. At this stage, the focus is on these fixed, high-frequency phrases. You should also learn that the 's' is silent and the word is masculine. It is a foundational word for daily survival in a French-speaking environment, allowing you to participate in the most common of all social lubricants: talking about the weather. You will also encounter it in your 'emploi du temps' (school or work schedule).

At the A2 level, you expand your use of 'temps' to describe habits and frequency. You will learn the essential phrase 'de temps en temps' (from time to time). You also begin to use 'temps' to describe durations of activities, such as 'Combien de temps est-ce que tu étudies ?' (How long do you study?). You start to see 'temps' in the context of grammar, learning about 'le présent' as a 'temps verbal'. You will also encounter more varied weather expressions like 'un temps pluvieux' or 'un temps nuageux'. The distinction between 'temps' (duration) and 'fois' (occurrence) becomes a key focus to avoid common learner errors. You might also start using 'en même temps' to link two simultaneous actions in simple sentences.

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At the B1 level, 'temps' takes on more abstract and idiomatic meanings. You will use it to discuss historical periods or 'époques', such as 'dans le temps' (in the old days). You become comfortable with idioms like 'prendre son temps' (to take one's time) and 'perdre son temps' (to waste time). In discussions about society, you might use 'les temps modernes' or 'le temps libre' (leisure time). You also learn to use 'temps' in more complex grammatical structures, such as 'il est temps de + infinitive' (it is time to...). Your understanding of 'temps' as a grammatical category deepens as you study the relationship between different tenses (e.g., how the 'imparfait' and 'passé composé' interact). You can now describe the weather with more nuance, using adjectives like 'orageux' (stormy) or 'changeant' (changeable).

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At the B2 level, you use 'temps' to express complex relationships between events. You master 'en même temps' not just for physical simultaneity, but also for contrasting ideas (similar to 'at the same time' or 'on the other hand' in English). You explore more sophisticated idioms like 'avoir fait son temps' (to be outdated/to have had its day) or 'gagner du temps' (to stall or save time). You can discuss philosophical or scientific concepts of time, such as 'la perception du temps'. In literature or news analysis, you might encounter 'le temps' used to describe the general mood or 'climate' of a period. Your vocabulary around weather also becomes more technical, potentially including terms related to 'le temps qu'il fait' in the context of climate change discussions.

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At the C1 level, you appreciate the stylistic and rhythmic uses of 'temps'. You understand its role in music (beats) and poetry. You can use 'temps' in highly formal or literary expressions, such as 'la nuit des temps' (the dawn of time). You are sensitive to the register of different 'temps' expressions, knowing when to use 'jadis' instead of 'dans le temps' for a more formal tone. You can engage in deep debates about 'la gestion du temps' (time management) in modern society or the 'temps de parole' (speaking time) in political broadcasts. Your use of the word is nuanced, and you can easily switch between its meteorological, temporal, and grammatical meanings without hesitation, even in fast-paced, high-level discussions.

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At the C2 level, 'temps' is a tool for precision and rhetorical flair. You can analyze the 'temps du récit' (narrative time) in complex novels or films. You use the word in obscure or highly specialized idioms with ease. You understand the philosophical implications of 'le temps' in the works of thinkers like Proust or Bergson. You can navigate the most subtle puns or double meanings involving 'temps' (weather/time). Your mastery is such that you can use 'temps' to convey irony, nostalgia, or urgency with perfect native-like intonation and context. You are also fully aware of the regional variations in weather-related 'temps' expressions across the Francophone world, from Quebec to Senegal.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

temps en 30 segundos

Temps means both 'time' (duration) and 'weather' (atmospheric state).
It is a masculine noun (le temps) and the final 's' is always silent.
Use 'il fait' for weather and 'avoir' or 'passer' for time duration.
Do not confuse it with 'fois' (instances) or 'heure' (clock time).

The French word temps is a fascinating linguistic cornerstone that serves a dual purpose, often surprising English speakers. Primarily, it functions as the equivalent of the English word 'time' in a general, abstract sense. However, it also serves as the standard word for 'weather.' This conceptual overlap stems from the Latin root tempus, which originally referred to a portion of time or a season, naturally extending to the atmospheric conditions associated with those periods. Understanding temps requires a shift in perspective: instead of separating the ticking clock from the clouds in the sky, French speakers use one versatile term to cover the overarching flow of existence and the environment surrounding it.

Temporal Duration: When referring to the passage of minutes, hours, or years, temps is your go-to noun. It describes the duration of an event or the general concept of time. For example, 'I don't have time' is 'Je n'ai pas le temps.'

Le temps guérit toutes les blessures, dit-on souvent dans la littérature française pour exprimer la résilience.

Meteorological Conditions: In a meteorological context, temps describes whether it is sunny, rainy, or cold. You will hear this daily in the phrase 'Quel temps fait-il ?' (What is the weather like?). It is important to note that while 'météo' refers to the forecast, temps refers to the actual state of the sky.

Beyond these two main pillars, temps also appears in specialized fields. In music, it refers to a 'beat' or 'count' within a measure. In grammar, it refers to a 'tense' (like the present or past tense). This versatility makes it one of the most frequently used nouns in the French language, appearing in everything from philosophical treatises to casual morning greetings about the rain. Because it covers so much ground, learners must pay close attention to the verb it is paired with; 'faire' usually signals weather, while 'avoir' or 'passer' usually signals time duration.

Il fait un temps magnifique aujourd'hui, profitons-en pour aller nous promener au parc.

Grammatical Tense: In a classroom setting, your teacher might ask you to conjugate a verb in the 'temps présent' or 'temps passé'. Here, it denotes the temporal location of an action within the structure of language.

Prendre son temps est essentiel pour savourer les petits plaisirs de la vie quotidienne.

En même temps, il faut savoir être efficace quand le travail l'exige.

Les temps changent, mais les valeurs fondamentales restent les mêmes à travers les siècles.

Mastering the use of temps involves understanding its syntactic environment. Since it is a masculine noun, it is always accompanied by masculine articles like le, un, or du. When discussing weather, the impersonal verb faire is almost exclusively used. For instance, 'Il fait beau temps' (It is good weather). This structure is unique to French and is one of the first patterns a beginner learns. When the focus shifts to time as a resource, the verbs avoir (to have), perdre (to waste/lose), and gagner (to save/gain) become the primary partners. 'J'ai le temps' means 'I have time,' whereas 'Je perds mon temps' means 'I am wasting my time.'

Weather Expressions: Common constructions include: 'Il fait quel temps ?' (What's the weather like?), 'Un temps de chien' (Terrible weather), and 'Par tous les temps' (In all weathers/regardless of the weather).

Nous avons décidé de partir en randonnée malgré le mauvais temps annoncé par la radio.

Time Management: In professional or personal contexts, you might say: 'Prendre du temps' (To take some time), 'Manquer de temps' (To lack time), or 'Consacrer du temps à' (To devote time to).

Grammatically, temps is also used to describe historical eras or periods. In this sense, it is often plural: 'les temps modernes' (modern times) or 'les temps anciens' (ancient times). This plural usage emphasizes a broad span of history rather than a specific duration. Furthermore, in the context of sports or physical activities, 'temps' can refer to a 'half' or a 'period', such as 'la première mi-temps' in a soccer match. This specific usage highlights the word's ability to segment the flow of an event into manageable parts.

Il a fallu beaucoup de temps pour construire cette cathédrale magnifique au cœur de la ville.

Frequency and Regularity: The phrase 'de temps en temps' is an essential adverbial locution meaning 'from time to time' or 'occasionally'. It is used to describe habits that are not daily but occur with some regularity.

À cette époque, le temps semblait s'écouler beaucoup plus lentement qu'aujourd'hui.

Combien de temps faut-il pour apprendre à parler français couramment ?

Le temps de cuisson pour ce gâteau est d'environ quarante-cinq minutes à four moyen.

In daily French life, temps is omnipresent. You will hear it first thing in the morning if you turn on the news for the 'bulletin météo', where the presenter will describe the 'temps qu'il fera' (the weather that will be). In the streets, it's a common conversation starter—much like in English-speaking cultures—where people comment on the 'beau temps' or 'mauvais temps' to break the ice with neighbors or shopkeepers. In the workplace, temps is the currency of productivity. Managers talk about 'temps de travail' (working time) and 'temps partiel' (part-time), and colleagues might complain about 'manquer de temps' to finish a project before a deadline.

Public Announcements: At train stations (SNCF) or airports, you'll hear 'temps d'attente estimé' (estimated waiting time). This is crucial for travelers managing their schedules.

Mesdames et Messieurs, le temps de trajet prévu est de deux heures et dix minutes.

Cultural Expressions: In French cinema and music, temps is a poetic staple. Songs often lament the 'temps qui passe' (passing time) or celebrate 'le bon temps' (the good times) spent with loved ones.

In the culinary world, temps is vital for recipes. Chefs and home cooks alike focus on 'temps de repos' (resting time for dough) and 'temps de cuisson' (cooking time). If you visit a French school, you'll hear teachers talking about 'l'emploi du temps' (the timetable or schedule), which dictates the students' day. Even in the digital age, French social media is full of 'throwback' posts with the hashtag #lebonvieuxtemps (the good old days). This word bridges the gap between the most mundane physical realities (rain) and the most profound human experiences (nostalgia).

Il est grand temps de changer nos habitudes pour protéger l'environnement et notre avenir.

Social Interactions: When meeting a friend after a long period, one might say 'Ça fait un bail !' or 'Ça fait un bout de temps !' (It's been a while!).

Le temps presse, nous devons prendre une décision avant la fin de la journée.

Prenez tout votre temps pour remplir ce formulaire, il n'y a aucune urgence particulière.

On a passé du bon temps ensemble lors de nos dernières vacances en Bretagne.

The most frequent pitfall for English speakers is the 'temps' vs. 'fois' confusion. In English, the word 'time' is used for both duration ('I spent a lot of time') and instances ('I did it three times'). In French, these are strictly separated. You must use temps for the former and fois for the latter. Saying 'J'ai fait ça trois temps' is a classic error; the correct form is 'J'ai fait ça trois fois'. Another common mistake involves the weather. Learners often try to translate 'It is sunny' as 'Il est soleil' or 'Le temps est soleil'. While you can say 'Le temps est ensoleillé', the most natural way is 'Il fait beau' or 'Il y a du soleil'.

The 'Heure' vs. 'Temps' Trap: English speakers often ask 'Quel temps est-il ?' when they want to know the time on the clock. This is incorrect. To ask for the clock time, you must use 'Quelle heure est-il ?'. Temps is for the concept of time, not the specific hour.

Ne dites pas 'Je n'ai pas d'heure' pour dire 'I don't have time'; dites 'Je n'ai pas le temps'.

Pronunciation Errors: Many beginners try to pronounce the 'p' and the 's' in temps. Remember, these letters are silent. The word is pronounced like 'tah' with a nasal 'n' sound at the end (/tɑ̃/). Pronouncing the 's' makes it sound like 'tamps', which is incorrect.

Another nuance is the use of 'dans le temps'. In English, 'in time' often means 'punctually' (e.g., 'I arrived in time'). In French, 'à temps' means punctually, whereas 'dans le temps' means 'in the old days' or 'formerly'. Confusing these can lead to humorous misunderstandings where you think you're talking about being on time, but you're actually talking about the 19th century. Lastly, be careful with the plural. While 'le temps' is the general concept, 'les temps' is usually reserved for specific grammatical contexts or historical eras. Using 'les temps' to mean 'many times' is a direct translation error from English.

Il est arrivé juste à temps pour le début du film, évitant ainsi de rater l'introduction.

Preposition Pitfalls: Learners often struggle between 'pendant ce temps' (meanwhile) and 'en même temps' (at the same time). 'Pendant' implies a duration occurring alongside another, while 'en même temps' implies exact simultaneity.

Dans le temps, les gens écrivaient des lettres à la main au lieu d'envoyer des courriels.

Elle étudie et écoute de la musique en même temps, ce qui l'aide à se concentrer.

Le temps de réaction du conducteur est un facteur crucial pour la sécurité routière.

To truly master French, you need to know when temps is the best choice and when another word might be more precise. The French language has several words that divide the concept of 'time' into more specific categories. For example, heure is used for clock time, moment for a brief point in time, and époque for a significant historical period. On the weather side, météo is often used as a shorthand for the forecast or the meteorological service, while climat refers to long-term patterns rather than the daily state of the sky.

Temps vs. Fois: Use temps for duration ('How much time?'). Use fois for repetition ('How many times?'). Example: 'J'ai passé du temps à le faire trois fois.'

Il est important de choisir le bon temps verbal pour exprimer ses idées avec précision en français.

Temps vs. Heure: Use heure for the specific time of day ('Il est huit heures'). Use temps for the general concept or duration ('Le temps passe').

In more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter durée, which specifically means 'duration' or 'length of time'. While temps is broad, durée is technical. For instance, 'la durée du vol' (the duration of the flight). Another alternative is délai, which refers to a deadline or a specific period allowed for a task. If you have a 'délai de deux jours', you have a two-day window to complete something. Understanding these nuances prevents you from sounding repetitive and allows you to describe the world with the same precision as a native speaker.

Cette époque de l'histoire est marquée par de grands changements sociaux et technologiques.

Temps vs. Moment: A moment is a specific, usually short, point in time. Temps is the continuous flow. You can have a 'bon moment' (a good time/moment) within a long 'temps'.

Le temps qu'il fait influence souvent notre moral et notre niveau d'énergie au quotidien.

Il est nécessaire de prendre un moment pour soi afin de réfléchir à ses objectifs personnels.

La météo annonce de la neige pour la fin de la semaine sur l'ensemble du pays.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The reason 'temps' means both time and weather is that in ancient times, the weather was seen as a characteristic of the 'time' or 'season' one was in.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /tɑ̃/

US /tɑ̃/

Single syllable, no specific stress.

Rima con

dent (tooth) vent (wind) champ (field) chant (song) rang (row) sang (blood) blanc (white) franc (frank)

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the 'p' (sounding like 'tamp').
Pronouncing the 's' (sounding like 'tamps').
Not making the vowel nasal enough.
Confusing the sound with 'ton' (your) which is a different nasal vowel.
Pronouncing it like the English word 'temp'.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text.

Escritura 2/5

Must remember the silent 'p' and 's'.

Expresión oral 3/5

Nasal vowel can be tricky for beginners.

Escucha 2/5

Easy to hear, but context is needed to distinguish meaning.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

le il fait avoir beau

Aprende después

fois heure météo pendant depuis

Avanzado

temporalité chronologie intempéries concomitance anachronisme

Gramática que debes saber

Impersonal 'Il fait'

Il fait beau temps.

Partitive articles with abstract nouns

J'ai du temps.

Preposition 'à' for punctuality

Arriver à temps.

Preposition 'en' for duration within which

Il a fini en peu de temps.

Nouns ending in silent 's' in singular

Le temps (singular).

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Ejemplos por nivel

Quel temps fait-il aujourd'hui ?

What is the weather like today?

Uses the impersonal 'il fait' construction.

Je n'ai pas le temps.

I don't have time.

Uses the definite article 'le' with 'temps'.

Il fait beau temps.

It is nice weather.

'Beau' is the masculine adjective modifying 'temps'.

Tu as du temps pour m'aider ?

Do you have some time to help me?

Uses the partitive article 'du' (de + le).

Le temps passe vite.

Time passes quickly.

'Passer' is a common verb used with 'temps'.

C'est l'heure, on n'a plus de temps.

It's time, we have no more time.

Shows the difference between 'heure' (clock time) and 'temps' (duration).

Quel est ton emploi du temps ?

What is your schedule?

'Emploi du temps' is a compound noun.

Il fait un temps froid.

The weather is cold.

Adjective 'froid' follows the noun 'temps'.

Je vais à la piscine de temps en temps.

I go to the pool from time to time.

The phrase 'de temps en temps' acts as an adverb.

Combien de temps dure le film ?

How long does the movie last?

'Combien de temps' is the standard way to ask 'how long'.

Il a passé beaucoup de temps à lire.

He spent a lot of time reading.

'Passer du temps à' + infinitive.

Le temps est nuageux ce matin.

The weather is cloudy this morning.

Using 'être' with an adjective to describe 'le temps'.

On peut faire deux choses en même temps.

We can do two things at the same time.

'En même temps' means simultaneously.

Prends ton temps pour finir l'exercice.

Take your time to finish the exercise.

Imperative form of 'prendre'.

Il fait un temps de chien !

The weather is terrible!

Idiomatic expression for bad weather.

Je n'ai plus de temps libre.

I don't have any more free time.

'Temps libre' refers to leisure time.

Il est temps de partir pour la gare.

It is time to leave for the station.

'Il est temps de' + infinitive is a fixed structure.

Dans le temps, il n'y avait pas d'internet.

In the old days, there was no internet.

'Dans le temps' refers to the past.

Il perd son temps avec des futilités.

He is wasting his time with trifles.

'Perdre son temps' is the opposite of 'gagner du temps'.

Le temps de cuisson est indiqué sur le paquet.

The cooking time is indicated on the package.

Noun complement 'de cuisson' specifies the type of time.

Nous avons eu un temps magnifique pendant les vacances.

We had magnificent weather during the holidays.

Using 'avoir' to describe the weather experienced.

Elle travaille à mi-temps dans une boulangerie.

She works part-time in a bakery.

'À mi-temps' means part-time (literally half-time).

Le présent est un temps simple en français.

The present is a simple tense in French.

Here 'temps' refers to grammatical tense.

On gagne du temps en prenant l'autoroute.

We save time by taking the highway.

'Gagner du temps' means to save or gain time.

C'est un film qui a bien vieilli avec le temps.

It's a film that has aged well over time.

'Avec le temps' implies the gradual passage of years.

Il faut savoir s'adapter à l'air du temps.

One must know how to adapt to the spirit of the times.

'L'air du temps' refers to current trends/spirit.

En même temps, je comprends son point de vue.

At the same time, I understand his point of view.

Used here as a logical connector (on the other hand).

Cette machine a fait son temps, elle est cassée.

This machine has had its day; it is broken.

Idiom meaning something is no longer useful.

Le temps presse, nous devons agir immédiatement.

Time is of the essence; we must act immediately.

'Le temps presse' is a formal way to say 'we're in a hurry'.

Il consacre tout son temps libre à son association.

He devotes all his free time to his association.

'Consacrer son temps à' is a high-level construction.

Le temps de parole est strictement limité à la télévision.

Speaking time is strictly limited on television.

Refers to the duration allowed for talking.

Par les temps qui courent, il faut être prudent.

In these times, one must be careful.

Idiom referring to current difficult circumstances.

Cette coutume remonte à la nuit des temps.

This custom dates back to the dawn of time.

Literary expression for a very distant past.

Le poète déplore la fuite inexorable du temps.

The poet deplores the inexorable flight of time.

'La fuite du temps' is a classic literary theme.

Il a été suspendu pour un temps indéterminé.

He was suspended for an indefinite period.

'Pour un temps' indicates a duration.

Le chef d'orchestre bat le temps avec précision.

The conductor beats the time with precision.

Musical context: 'battre le temps'.

Elle a pris le temps de la réflexion avant de répondre.

She took time for reflection before answering.

Abstract use of 'temps' as a required resource.

Les temps sont durs pour les petits commerçants.

Times are tough for small shopkeepers.

Plural 'les temps' refers to the current era/situation.

Il a agi en deux temps, trois mouvements.

He acted in a jiffy / very quickly.

Highly idiomatic expression for speed.

Le temps mort a permis aux joueurs de se reposer.

The timeout allowed the players to rest.

'Temps mort' is a sports term for 'timeout'.

L'œuvre de Proust explore la circularité du temps.

Proust's work explores the circularity of time.

Philosophical/Literary context.

Il s'agit d'un contre-temps fâcheux pour notre projet.

This is an unfortunate setback for our project.

'Contre-temps' means a setback or hitch.

Le temps fait son œuvre sur les vieilles pierres.

Time takes its toll on old stones.

Personification of time as an active force.

Il a été nommé à temps complet après son stage.

He was appointed full-time after his internship.

'À temps complet' is the formal term for full-time.

Le temps suspendu de cette fin d'après-midi était magique.

The suspended time of this late afternoon was magical.

Poetic use of 'temps suspendu'.

Il ne faut pas brusquer le temps, chaque chose arrive à point.

One must not rush time; everything happens in its own time.

Proverbial usage.

L'espace-temps est un concept fondamental de la physique.

Space-time is a fundamental concept of physics.

Scientific compound noun.

Elle a toujours eu un temps d'avance sur ses concurrents.

She has always been one step ahead of her competitors.

Idiom for being ahead/proactive.

Colocaciones comunes

perdre son temps

gagner du temps

prendre son temps

mauvais temps

beau temps

temps libre

temps partiel

temps plein

temps de cuisson

temps d'attente

Frases Comunes

De temps en temps

— Occasionally or from time to time. Used to describe infrequent habits.

Je mange du chocolat de temps en temps.

En même temps

— At the same time or simultaneously. Can also mean 'on the other hand'.

Il parle et mange en même temps.

Juste à temps

— Just in time. Used when something happens right before a deadline.

Il est arrivé juste à temps pour le train.

Il est temps

— It is time. Usually followed by 'de' and an infinitive.

Il est temps de dormir.

Prendre du temps

— To take time. Refers to the duration required for a task.

Apprendre le français prend du temps.

Combien de temps ?

— How long? The standard question for duration.

Combien de temps dure le voyage ?

Dans le temps

— In the past or in the old days.

Dans le temps, il n'y avait pas de voitures.

Tout le temps

— All the time or constantly.

Il pleut tout le temps ici.

Depuis le temps

— Since such a long time. Used to express surprise at a duration.

Depuis le temps qu'on s'est vus !

Par tous les temps

— In all types of weather.

Il court dehors par tous les temps.

Se confunde a menudo con

temps vs fois

Use 'fois' for 'times' as in 'three times'. Use 'temps' for duration.

temps vs heure

Use 'heure' for clock time (What time is it?). Use 'temps' for the concept of time.

temps vs météo

Use 'météo' for the forecast. Use 'temps' for the actual weather outside.

Modismos y expresiones

"Un temps de chien"

— Terrible weather (literally: dog's weather).

Quel temps de chien ! Je reste à la maison.

informal

"Avoir fait son temps"

— To be outdated or to have served its purpose.

Ce vieil ordinateur a fait son temps.

neutral

"En deux temps, trois mouvements"

— Very quickly and efficiently.

Elle a réparé la fuite en deux temps, trois mouvements.

informal

"Chercher midi à quatorze heures"

— To make things more complicated than they are (literally: looking for noon at 2 PM).

Ne cherche pas midi à quatorze heures, la solution est simple.

neutral

"Le temps, c'est de l'argent"

— Time is money.

Dépêche-toi, le temps, c'est de l'argent !

neutral

"La nuit des temps"

— The dawn of time / ancient history.

Cette légende remonte à la nuit des temps.

literary

"Tuer le temps"

— To kill time / to occupy oneself while waiting.

Je lis un livre pour tuer le temps à l'aéroport.

neutral

"Prendre le temps comme il vient"

— To take things as they come / to be easy-going.

Il ne s'inquiète jamais, il prend le temps comme il vient.

neutral

"Autre temps, autres mœurs"

— Other times, other customs (things change over generations).

Mes grands-parents ne comprennent pas TikTok, mais autre temps, autres mœurs.

formal

"Donner du temps au temps"

— To let things take their natural course / to be patient.

Sois patient avec ta guérison, il faut donner du temps au temps.

neutral

Fácil de confundir

temps vs fois

Both translate to 'time' in English.

Fois counts occurrences (1, 2, 3). Temps measures duration or the concept.

Je l'ai vu trois fois en peu de temps.

temps vs heure

Both relate to time.

Heure is a specific point on a clock. Temps is the general flow.

À quelle heure as-tu le temps ?

temps vs moment

Both relate to periods.

Moment is a short, specific interval. Temps is broader.

Un moment dans le temps.

temps vs délai

Both relate to time limits.

Délai is a deadline or allowed period. Temps is general duration.

Le délai est court, on manque de temps.

temps vs époque

Both relate to historical time.

Époque is a defined era. Temps is more general (dans le temps).

À cette époque, le temps s'écoulait différemment.

Patrones de oraciones

Il fait [adjective] temps.

Il fait mauvais temps.

J'ai le temps de [infinitive].

J'ai le temps de manger.

[Action] de temps en temps.

Je cours de temps en temps.

Il est temps de [infinitive].

Il est temps de partir.

Passer du temps à [infinitive].

Je passe du temps à étudier.

En même temps, [clause].

En même temps, c'est vrai.

Prendre le temps de la [noun].

Prendre le temps de la réflexion.

Le temps de [noun] est [adjective].

Le temps de réaction est court.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

temporalité (temporality)

tempérament (temperament)

tempête (storm)

intempérie (bad weather)

contretemps (setback)

Verbos

temporiser (to stall/temporize)

tempêter (to storm/rant)

Adjetivos

temporel (temporal)

temporaire (temporary)

tempéré (temperate)

Relacionado

météo

heure

époque

fois

moment

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Extremely high. One of the top 100 most used nouns in French.

Errores comunes

J'ai fait ça trois temps. → J'ai fait ça trois fois.
You must use 'fois' for occurrences/counts.
Quel temps est-il ? → Quelle heure est-il ?
Use 'heure' to ask for the time on the clock.
Le temps est chaud. → Il fait chaud.
It's more natural to use the impersonal 'il fait' for weather.
Je suis à temps. → Je suis à l'heure.
'À temps' means 'in time' (before a deadline), 'à l'heure' means 'on time' (punctual).
Dans le temps de mon enfance. → Pendant mon enfance.
'Dans le temps' means 'formerly/in the old days' generally, not for specific personal periods.

Consejos

Silent Letters

Never pronounce the 'p' or 's' in 'temps'. It sounds exactly like 'tan' in 'tanning' but nasalized.

Weather vs Time

Look for the verb 'faire' to know if someone is talking about the weather.

Temps vs Fois

If you can count it (1, 2, 3), use 'fois'. If you can't, use 'temps'.

Dog Weather

'Un temps de chien' is a great way to sound like a native when it's raining.

Spelling

Always keep the 's' at the end, even in the singular form 'le temps'.

Context Clues

In a train station, 'temps' almost always refers to waiting or travel duration.

Socializing

Talking about the 'temps' is the safest and most common small talk in France.

Prepositions

Use 'pendant' for 'during' a period of 'temps'.

Rhythm

If you're a musician, remember 'un temps' is one beat.

Speed

'En deux temps, trois mouvements' is the French 'in a heartbeat'.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'TEMP-orary' cloud (weather) or a 'TEMP-late' for your schedule (time).

Asociación visual

Imagine a clock (time) inside a sun (weather). They share the same word: temps.

Word Web

Météo Heure Durée Époque Grammaire Musique Calendrier Ciel

Desafío

Try to use 'temps' in three different ways today: once for weather, once for duration, and once for an idiom like 'de temps en temps'.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Latin word 'tempus', which meant 'time', 'period', 'season', or 'opportunity'.

Significado original: A portion of time or a fitting moment.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > French

Contexto cultural

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that 'le bon vieux temps' can sometimes carry nostalgic political connotations.

English speakers must learn to stop using 'time' for everything and split their thinking into 'temps', 'fois', and 'heure'.

À la recherche du temps perdu (Marcel Proust) Le Temps des Cerises (Famous revolutionary song) Les Temps Modernes (Charlie Chaplin film title in French)

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Weather Forecast

Quel temps fait-il ?
Il fait beau temps.
Le temps se gâte.
Un temps pluvieux.

Work/Deadlines

Je manque de temps.
Gagner du temps.
Temps de travail.
À temps plein.

Casual Conversation

De temps en temps.
Prends ton temps.
Ça fait un bail.
En même temps.

Grammar Class

Le temps du verbe.
Temps simples.
Temps composés.
Concordance des temps.

Music/Sports

Battre le temps.
En deux temps.
La mi-temps.
Temps mort.

Inicios de conversación

"Quel temps fait-il chez toi en ce moment ?"

"Est-ce que tu as assez de temps libre pour tes loisirs ?"

"Quel est ton passe-temps préféré le week-end ?"

"Tu préfères travailler à temps plein ou à temps partiel ?"

"Est-ce que tu penses que le temps passe plus vite en vieillissant ?"

Temas para diario

Décris le temps qu'il fait aujourd'hui et comment cela influence ton humeur.

Si tu avais plus de temps libre, que ferais-tu de différent dans ta vie ?

Raconte un souvenir du 'bon vieux temps' qui te rend nostalgique.

Comment gères-tu ton temps quand tu as beaucoup de travail à faire ?

Est-ce qu'il est plus important de gagner du temps ou de prendre son temps ?

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

It's a linguistic relic from its Latin root 'tempus'. Many French words ending in 's' are singular, like 'pays' or 'corps'. You determine if it's plural by the article (le vs les).

Yes, you can, but 'Il fait beau' is much more common and sounds more natural to native speakers.

You say 'J'ai beaucoup de temps'. Don't forget the 'de' after 'beaucoup'.

Yes, 'le temps' is the standard word for grammatical tenses like 'le présent' or 'le futur'.

'À temps' means 'in time' (before it's too late). 'À l'heure' means 'on time' (punctual, according to the clock).

No, 'le tempo' is used for speed, but 'le temps' is used for the beats within a measure.

The most common way is 'Combien de temps ?'. For example: 'Combien de temps ça prend ?'

It became a famous catchphrase of President Emmanuel Macron, used to balance two seemingly contradictory ideas.

Yes, 'temps' is always a masculine noun.

In sports, it's a timeout. In general conversation, it can mean a lull or a dead moment.

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