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A1 noun 10分で読める

canicule

練習する例文メモとヒント canicule 30秒で

解説 canicule in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'canicule' means a very, very hot time in summer. It is a feminine noun: 'la canicule'. You can use it simply to say it is very hot. For example, 'C'est la canicule !' (It's a heatwave!). You will see this word on the weather forecast on TV. It is important because it tells you to drink water and stay inside. Think of it as 'super hot weather'. When you learn the weather words like 'il fait chaud' (it is hot), 'la canicule' is the next step up. It's not just hot; it's a special word for when the heat stays for many days. You don't need to know the science, just that it means 'very hot summer days'.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'canicule' in simple sentences about your feelings and health. You might say, 'Je n'aime pas la canicule car je ne peux pas dormir.' (I don't like the heatwave because I can't sleep.) You should also recognize the word in public announcements. In France, shops and trains might have signs saying 'Alerte Canicule'. This means you should be careful. You can also use the adjective 'caniculaire' to describe the day: 'C'est une journée caniculaire.' At this level, you understand that 'canicule' is specific to summer and usually involves temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius. It is a good word to use when talking about your summer holidays in France.

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At the B1 level, you should understand the distinction between a 'vague de chaleur' (general heatwave) and a 'canicule' (prolonged extreme heat). You can discuss the consequences of a canicule, such as 'la sécheresse' (drought) or 'les incendies' (fires). You should be able to follow a news report about the 'Plan Canicule' and understand advice given to vulnerable people. You can use the word to express more complex thoughts: 'Malgré la canicule, nous avons décidé de visiter le musée car il y avait la climatisation.' (Despite the heatwave, we decided to visit the museum because there was air conditioning.) You are also starting to use the word in a more idiomatic way to describe an oppressive atmosphere.

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At the B2 level, you can use 'canicule' in the context of climate change ('le réchauffement climatique'). You can argue about how cities should be built to survive 'les épisodes de canicule' more frequently. You understand that 'canicule' is a technical term used by Météo-France with specific temperature thresholds. You can use it in formal writing or debates. For example: 'La fréquence des canicules a triplé en France depuis trente ans, ce qui pose un défi majeur pour l'agriculture.' (The frequency of heatwaves has tripled in France over thirty years, posing a major challenge for agriculture.) You are comfortable using related vocabulary like 'îlot de chaleur urbain' (urban heat island) and 'hydratation'.

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At the C1 level, you appreciate the stylistic and historical nuances of 'canicule'. You know about the 'canicule de 2003' and its impact on French society and politics. You can use the word metaphorically in literature or high-level journalism to describe a heated or stagnant situation. You understand the etymological link to the star Sirius and the 'Dog Days'. You can vary your vocabulary using synonyms like 'fournaise' or 'étuve' to create specific effects in your writing. You can analyze how the word is used in French cinema or novels to create a sense of tension or 'huis clos' (enclosure). Your usage is precise, distinguishing between 'pic de chaleur' and 'canicule' without effort.

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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'canicule' and its place in the French lexicon. You can discuss the word's evolution and its sociological implications, such as how 'la canicule' has become a symbol of the Anthropocene in French intellectual discourse. You can use it in highly sophisticated puns or literary allusions. You understand the regional variations in how a canicule is experienced (e.g., the 'mistral' in the south) and can discuss the government's 'Plan Bleu' in detail. Your command of the word allows you to use it in any register, from a scientific paper on meteorology to a poetic description of a summer afternoon, always selecting the perfect accompanying verbs and adjectives.

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練習する例文メモとヒント

canicule 30秒で

Canicule refers to a severe and prolonged heatwave in French.
It is a feminine noun (la canicule) and has specific meteorological criteria.
The word is synonymous with summer danger and requires public health precautions.
Commonly used in weather reports and daily complaints about extreme summer heat.

The term canicule is much more than a simple synonym for 'heat.' In the French language and culture, it carries a weight of intensity, urgency, and specific meteorological criteria. Derived from the Latin canicula, meaning 'little dog,' the word historically refers to the 'Dog Days' of summer—the period when the star Sirius (the Dog Star) rises and sets with the sun. In modern France, however, it is most frequently encountered in weather reports and daily conversations during the peak of summer, specifically between July and August. Unlike a simple 'vague de chaleur' (heatwave), a canicule is defined by high temperatures that do not drop significantly at night, preventing the body and environment from cooling down. This lack of nocturnal relief is what makes a canicule particularly dangerous and culturally significant in France, especially following the tragic heatwave of 2003.

Meteorological Threshold: In France, Météo-France defines a canicule when temperatures exceed specific thresholds (usually 30-35°C during the day and 18-21°C at night, depending on the region) for at least three consecutive days and nights.

Pendant la canicule de 2003, la France a connu des températures records qui ont changé la politique de santé publique.

In casual conversation, the word is often used as a hyperbolic expression. When someone says, 'C'est la canicule !' while walking into a slightly warm room, they are emphasizing their discomfort. However, in a formal context, such as a news broadcast, the term is used with clinical precision. You will hear it in the context of 'le plan canicule' (the government's heatwave emergency plan), which involves checking on the elderly and ensuring public cooling spaces are available. The word evokes images of closed shutters (les volets fermés), constant hydration, and the sound of cicadas in the south of France. It is a word that dictates the rhythm of life during the European summer, shifting activity to the early morning and late evening hours while the afternoon is spent in forced lethargy.

Cultural Association: The word is often associated with the 'sieste' (nap), as the heat becomes too oppressive for physical labor or mental concentration during the peak hours.

On annonce une canicule pour la semaine prochaine, il va falloir rester au frais.

Beyond the physical heat, canicule carries an atmospheric quality. It suggests a heavy, stagnant air where nothing moves. Literature often uses the 'ambiance caniculaire' to set a scene of tension or exhaustion. In films, a canicule is the perfect backdrop for a slow-burning thriller or a domestic drama where tempers flare as easily as the sun scorches the earth. Understanding this word requires understanding the French relationship with summer: a season of joy that can quickly turn into a period of endurance when the canicule arrives. It is a word of warning, a word of complaint, and a word that unites everyone in the common struggle against the sun's relentless intensity.

Using canicule correctly involves understanding its role as a noun and its specific collocations. Because it refers to a state of the weather, it is frequently used with verbs like 'annoncer' (to announce), 'subir' (to suffer/endure), or 'craindre' (to fear). When describing the weather currently happening, you might use the expression 'C'est la canicule' rather than 'Il fait canicule,' although 'Il fait une chaleur caniculaire' (using the adjective form) is also very common. The noun is almost always preceded by the definite article 'la' or the indefinite 'une'.

Common Verb Pairings: 'Affronter la canicule' (To face the heatwave), 'Survivre à la canicule' (To survive the heatwave), 'Redouter la canicule' (To dread the heatwave).

Les agriculteurs redoutent la canicule car elle détruit les récoltes de maïs.

When constructing sentences, remember that canicule is a noun, not an adjective. You cannot say 'Le temps est canicule.' Instead, you would say 'Le temps est caniculaire' or 'Nous sommes en période de canicule.' In professional settings, particularly in healthcare or urban planning, you will see it used in compound terms like 'alerte canicule' or 'épisode de canicule.' These phrases emphasize that the heatwave is a specific event with a beginning and an end. For example, 'L'épisode de canicule devrait durer jusqu'à jeudi' (The heatwave episode should last until Thursday).

Avec cette canicule, il est impossible de dormir sans ventilateur.

In everyday speech, you can use it to justify certain behaviors. 'Je ne vais pas courir aujourd'hui, c'est la canicule !' (I'm not going running today, it's a heatwave!). Here, the word acts as a totalizing reason for a change in routine. It is also used to describe historical periods: 'La canicule de 1976 est restée dans les mémoires' (The 1976 heatwave has remained in people's memories). By using canicule, you are signaling to your listener that the heat is not just 'un peu chaud' (a bit hot) but is reaching a level of intensity that requires attention, caution, and perhaps a bit of complaining—a very French pastime during the summer months.

The word canicule is ubiquitous in French media as soon as the thermometer hits 30°C. If you turn on the television news (like TF1 or France 2) in July, the word will be repeated in every weather segment. Meteorologists use it to trigger 'vigilance orange' or 'vigilance rouge' alerts. You will hear it in the voices of news anchors interviewing elderly people in air-conditioned nursing homes, asking them how they are coping with the heat. It is a word of public safety, often followed by a list of 'gestes barrières' or advice: 'buvez de l'eau,' 'fermez vos volets,' 'évitez les efforts physiques.'

News Context: 'Météo-France a placé 15 départements en alerte canicule.' (Météo-France has placed 15 departments on heatwave alert.)

À la radio, on entend souvent : 'Face à la canicule, restez prudents et hydratez-vous.'

In the streets, canicule is the ultimate small-talk topic. In the 'boulangerie' or at the 'marché,' people will sigh and say, 'Quelle canicule, n'est-ce pas ?' It serves as a social lubricant, allowing strangers to bond over their shared exhaustion. You'll also hear it in workplaces, where employees might discuss the lack of air conditioning (which is less common in France than in the US). A manager might say, 'À cause de la canicule, vous pouvez partir plus tôt aujourd'hui' (Because of the heatwave, you can leave earlier today). It becomes a valid excuse for lower productivity and a shift in social norms.

Le présentateur météo a dit que la canicule allait s'intensifier demain.

Finally, you will find canicule in literature and cinema to describe a specific mood. In Albert Camus' 'L'Étranger,' while the word itself might not be the focus, the 'chaleur caniculaire' of the Algerian sun is a central character that drives the plot. In modern French pop culture, songs might mention the canicule to evoke the feeling of a long, sweaty summer night in the city. It is a word that permeates every level of French life, from the highest government warnings to the most mundane neighborly complaints, making it an essential part of any French learner's vocabulary.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing canicule with the general word for heat, 'chaleur.' While all canicules involve 'chaleur,' not all 'chaleur' is a 'canicule.' If it is simply a hot afternoon (say, 28°C), calling it a canicule might sound overly dramatic or technically incorrect to a native speaker. Use canicule only when the heat is extreme and sustained over several days and nights. Another common error is grammatical gender. Many learners assume words ending in '-e' are feminine, which is true here, but they often forget the article in fast speech. Always remember: la canicule.

Canicule vs. Chaleur: Chaleur = Heat (general). Canicule = Heatwave (specific, extreme, prolonged).

Faux : Il fait canicule ce soir. (Incorrect structure)
Juste : C'est la canicule ce soir.

Another mistake is using canicule as an adjective. You cannot say 'Le temps est très canicule.' The correct adjective is caniculaire. For example, 'une chaleur caniculaire' or 'un soleil caniculaire.' Additionally, learners sometimes confuse the spelling with English words, adding a 'k' or changing the 'u'. In French, it is strictly C-A-N-I-C-U-L-E. Also, be careful with the verb 'faire.' While we say 'Il fait chaud,' we do not usually say 'Il fait canicule.' We say 'C'est la canicule' or 'On est en période de canicule.'

Faux : J'ai une canicule dans ma chambre. (Unless your room is literally a weather system!)
Juste : Il fait une chaleur étouffante dans ma chambre.

Finally, avoid using canicule in the winter, even metaphorically, unless you are making a very specific joke about global warming. It is a season-bound word. Using it in October would confuse people. To sound natural, use it sparingly and only when the weather is truly oppressive. If you want to describe a 'mini-heatwave' or just a few hot days, 'pic de chaleur' (heat peak) or 'vague de chaleur' (heatwave - general) are safer and more common alternatives that won't make you sound like you're exaggerating the situation.

While canicule is the most formal and intense term, French offers a rich variety of words to describe heat, each with its own nuance. Understanding these alternatives will help you sound more like a native speaker and allow you to describe different levels of temperature. The most common alternative is vague de chaleur. While often used interchangeably with canicule, a vague de chaleur can be shorter and less intense. It is the generic term for any period where the temperature is higher than normal for the season.

Canicule vs. Vague de chaleur: Canicule: Specific, extreme, night/day heat. Vague de chaleur: General term for a heatwave.

On attend une petite vague de chaleur ce week-end, rien de grave.

If you want to describe a heat that is so intense it feels like an oven, you can use une fournaise. This is a very common metaphor. 'Ma voiture est une fournaise !' (My car is a furnace!). Another great informal word is le cagnard, which specifically refers to a very hot, beating sun, often in the South of France. You might hear someone say, 'Ne reste pas en plein cagnard !' (Don't stay out in the blazing sun!). This word has a more colloquial, sun-drenched feel than the technical canicule.

Other Related Terms: Pic de chaleur: A short spike in temperature (1-2 days). Surchauffe: Overheating (often used for engines or cities).

Ce n'est pas encore la canicule, mais c'est déjà une belle fournaise dehors.

In more formal or scientific contexts, you might encounter stress thermique (thermal stress), which refers to the impact of the heat on the body or environment. For a very dry heat, you could use une chaleur torride. By choosing between canicule, fournaise, cagnard, and vague de chaleur, you can precisely convey the type of heat you are experiencing and the level of discomfort it is causing. This variety allows you to move beyond basic 'il fait chaud' and express yourself with the nuance of a native speaker.

How Formal Is It?

豆知識

The term 'Dog Days of Summer' in English comes from the exact same Latin root and astronomical observation as the French 'canicule'.

発音ガイド

UK /kə.ni.kyːl/

US /kæ.nɪ.kjul/

The stress is even, but slightly falls on the final syllable 'cule'.

韻が合う語

molécule icule ridicule véhicule particule testicule poussière pellicule

よくある間違い

Pronouncing the 'u' like the 'u' in 'cut'.
Adding an 's' sound at the end (it's silent unless plural and followed by a vowel).
Replacing the 'c' with a 'k' sound in writing.
Making the 'ni' sound like 'nee' too long.
Confusing the gender and saying 'le canicule'.

難易度

読解 2/5

Easy to recognize in text due to its unique spelling.

ライティング 3/5

Must remember the feminine 'e' and avoid English 'k'.

スピーキング 4/5

The French 'u' sound in 'cule' can be tricky for beginners.

リスニング 2/5

Distinct sound makes it easy to pick out in weather reports.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

chaud été soleil météo eau

次に学ぶ

sécheresse climatisation hydratation caniculaire épuisement

上級

évapotranspiration anticyclone canicule tardive stress hydrique

知っておくべき文法

Gender of nouns ending in -ule

La canicule, la molécule, la particule (mostly feminine).

Using 'en' with periods of time

Nous sommes en canicule (We are in a heatwave period).

Adjective agreement

Une période (f) caniculaire (f).

Cause with 'à cause de'

Le sol est sec à cause de la canicule.

Impersonal expressions

Il est dangereux de courir pendant la canicule.

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レベル別の例文

C'est la canicule aujourd'hui.

It is the heatwave today.

Uses 'C'est' + definite article 'la'.

Il fait très chaud, c'est une canicule.

It is very hot, it is a heatwave.

Uses the indefinite article 'une'.

J'ai soif pendant la canicule.

I am thirsty during the heatwave.

Preposition 'pendant' (during).

La canicule est difficile.

The heatwave is difficult.

Subject + verb 'être'.

Où est l'eau pour la canicule ?

Where is the water for the heatwave ?

Question form.

Je reste à la maison à cause de la canicule.

I stay at home because of the heatwave.

Expression 'à cause de' (because of).

Il n'y a pas de vent pendant la canicule.

There is no wind during the heatwave.

Negative 'il n'y a pas de'.

La canicule arrive en juillet.

The heatwave arrives in July.

Verb 'arriver' in present tense.

Il faut boire beaucoup d'eau pendant la canicule.

One must drink a lot of water during the heatwave.

Impersonal 'il faut' + infinitive.

La canicule va durer trois jours.

The heatwave is going to last three days.

Near future 'aller' + infinitive.

Nous fermons les volets pour éviter la canicule.

We close the shutters to avoid the heatwave.

Verb 'éviter' (to avoid).

Les personnes âgées craignent la canicule.

Elderly people fear the heatwave.

Verb 'craindre' (to fear).

Est-ce qu'il y a une canicule cette année ?

Is there a heatwave this year ?

Question with 'Est-ce que'.

Le thermomètre affiche 38 degrés pendant la canicule.

The thermometer shows 38 degrees during the heatwave.

Verb 'afficher' (to display).

Je préfère rester au frais durant la canicule.

I prefer to stay in the cool during the heatwave.

Verb 'préférer' + infinitive.

La canicule est finie, il pleut enfin.

The heatwave is over, it is finally raining.

Adverb 'enfin' (finally).

Le gouvernement a activé le plan canicule hier soir.

The government activated the heatwave plan last night.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

Si la canicule continue, les récoltes seront perdues.

If the heatwave continues, the harvests will be lost.

Conditional sentence 'Si' + present, future.

On ne peut pas travailler normalement sous cette canicule.

We cannot work normally under this heatwave.

Preposition 'sous' (under).

La canicule de 2003 a été un traumatisme pour la France.

The 2003 heatwave was a trauma for France.

Noun as a historical reference.

Il est conseillé de ne pas sortir aux heures les plus chaudes de la canicule.

It is advised not to go out during the hottest hours of the heatwave.

Passive structure 'il est conseillé'.

La canicule rend les gens plus irritables que d'habitude.

The heatwave makes people more irritable than usual.

Verb 'rendre' + adjective.

Bien que ce soit la canicule, il n'y a pas de climatisation ici.

Although it is a heatwave, there is no air conditioning here.

Subjunctive after 'bien que'.

La canicule s'installe sur tout le pays pour une semaine.

The heatwave is settling over the whole country for a week.

Pronominal verb 's'installer'.

Les experts affirment que les canicules deviendront plus fréquentes.

Experts claim that heatwaves will become more frequent.

Plural form 'les canicules'.

La ville doit s'adapter pour mieux gérer la canicule urbaine.

The city must adapt to better manage the urban heatwave.

Infinitive 'gérer' (to manage).

L'intensité de la canicule a provoqué des coupures d'électricité.

The intensity of the heatwave caused power outages.

Noun 'intensité' followed by 'de la'.

Face à la canicule, la solidarité envers les voisins est essentielle.

In the face of the heatwave, solidarity toward neighbors is essential.

Prepositional phrase 'face à'.

La canicule exacerbe les problèmes de pollution atmosphérique.

The heatwave exacerbates atmospheric pollution problems.

Verb 'exacerber' (to exacerbate).

Il est impératif de s'hydrater régulièrement en période de canicule.

It is imperative to hydrate regularly during a heatwave period.

Formal 'il est impératif de'.

La canicule a entraîné une baisse du niveau des rivières.

The heatwave led to a drop in river levels.

Verb 'entraîner' (to lead to/cause).

Le réchauffement climatique rend les canicules plus précoces.

Global warming makes heatwaves occur earlier in the season.

Adjective 'précoces' (early/premature).

Le silence de la ville sous la canicule était presque oppressant.

The city's silence under the heatwave was almost oppressive.

Literary description.

Cette canicule persistante met à rude épreuve les infrastructures ferroviaires.

This persistent heatwave is putting a severe strain on railway infrastructure.

Expression 'mettre à rude épreuve'.

On assiste à une recrudescence des malaises liés à la canicule.

We are seeing an increase in fainting spells related to the heatwave.

Noun 'recrudescence' (upsurge).

La canicule transforme les appartements parisiens en véritables étuves.

The heatwave turns Parisian apartments into real steam rooms.

Metaphor 'étuve' (steam room/sauna).

L'épisode caniculaire actuel dépasse toutes les prévisions météorologiques.

The current heatwave episode exceeds all meteorological forecasts.

Adjective 'caniculaire' used with 'épisode'.

Il faut pallier les effets de la canicule par une végétalisation urbaine accrue.

The effects of the heatwave must be mitigated by increased urban greening.

Verb 'pallier' (to mitigate/offset).

La canicule n'est plus une exception mais une composante du nouvel été français.

The heatwave is no longer an exception but a component of the new French summer.

Analytical structure.

Les travailleurs du bâtiment sont les premiers exposés à la canicule.

Construction workers are the first to be exposed to the heatwave.

Adjective 'exposés' (exposed).

La canicule agit comme un révélateur des inégalités sociales face au logement.

The heatwave acts as a revealer of social inequalities regarding housing.

Sociological usage of 'révélateur'.

L'atmosphère caniculaire saturait l'espace d'une lourdeur insoutenable.

The heatwave atmosphere saturated the space with an unbearable heaviness.

Imperfect tense for atmospheric setting.

L'étiage des fleuves, aggravé par la canicule, menace le refroidissement des centrales.

The low water levels of rivers, aggravated by the heatwave, threaten the cooling of power plants.

Technical term 'étiage' (low water level).

La canicule induit une léthargie collective qui paralyse l'activité économique.

The heatwave induces a collective lethargy that paralyzes economic activity.

Verb 'induire' (to induce).

Nul n'est à l'abri des conséquences délétères d'une canicule prolongée.

No one is safe from the deleterious consequences of a prolonged heatwave.

Formal 'nul n'est' and adjective 'délétères'.

La sémantique de la canicule a évolué d'un phénomène rare à une menace systémique.

The semantics of the heatwave have evolved from a rare phenomenon to a systemic threat.

Abstract academic tone.

Subir la canicule sans répit nocturne épuise les organismes les plus robustes.

Enduring the heatwave without nightly respite exhausts even the most robust organisms.

Infinitive subject 'Subir'.

L'albédo des surfaces urbaines joue un rôle crucial lors d'une canicule.

The albedo of urban surfaces plays a crucial role during a heatwave.

Scientific term 'albédo'.

よく使う組み合わせ

alerte canicule

épisode de canicule

plan canicule

subir la canicule

affronter la canicule

canicule historique

redouter la canicule

période de canicule

canicule estivale

victime de la canicule

よく使うフレーズ

C'est la canicule !

— It's a heatwave! Used to complain about extreme heat.

Ouvrez la fenêtre, c'est la canicule ici !

En pleine canicule

— In the middle of a heatwave.

Il a couru un marathon en pleine canicule.

Face à la canicule

— Dealing with or confronting the heatwave.

Face à la canicule, la ville ouvre les parcs la nuit.

Sortir de la canicule

— To come out of or end a heatwave period.

Nous allons enfin sortir de la canicule demain.

Survivre à la canicule

— To survive or cope with the heatwave.

Mes plantes ne vont pas survivre à la canicule.

À cause de la canicule

— Because of the heatwave.

Le train est en retard à cause de la canicule.

Pendant la canicule

— During the heatwave.

Pendant la canicule, je ne mange que des salades.

Avant la canicule

— Before the heatwave starts.

Il faut acheter un ventilateur avant la canicule.

Une fin de canicule

— The end of a heatwave.

L'orage a marqué la fin de la canicule.

Une canicule sans précédent

— An unprecedented heatwave.

Nous vivons une canicule sans précédent.

よく混同される語

canicule vs caniculaire

This is the adjective form. Use 'chaleur caniculaire' but 'la canicule'.

canicule vs canicule vs chaleur

Chaleur is general heat; canicule is a specific, extreme, long heatwave.

canicule vs canicule vs soleil

Soleil is the sun; canicule is the resulting weather state.

慣用句と表現

"Un soleil de plomb"

— A leaden sun; very heavy and hot sunlight often associated with canicule.

On travaillait sous un soleil de plomb.

neutral

"Une chaleur à crever"

— A heat to die for (meaning it's killing you). Very informal.

Il fait une chaleur à crever dehors !

slang

"C'est une fournaise"

— It's a furnace. Used when a room or car is extremely hot.

Éteins le four, c'est une fournaise !

informal

"Être en nage"

— To be dripping with sweat, common during a canicule.

Après dix minutes dehors, je suis en nage.

neutral

"Il fait un cagnard"

— It's scorching hot (Southern French influence).

On ne peut pas sortir, il fait un de ces cagnards !

informal

"Bouillir d'impatience"

— To boil with impatience (metaphorical heat).

Je bous d'impatience que la canicule finisse.

neutral

"Brûler les planches"

— To be a great actor (metaphorical heat/fire).

Elle brûle les planches même sous la canicule.

neutral

"Mettre le feu aux poudres"

— To trigger a situation (heat/fire metaphor).

La canicule a mis le feu aux poudres socialement.

neutral

"Suer sang et eau"

— To sweat blood and water (to work very hard).

Il sue sang et eau sous cette canicule.

neutral

"C'est l'été de la Saint-Martin"

— Indian summer (not a canicule, but related to unexpected heat).

Ce n'est pas la canicule, c'est l'été de la Saint-Martin.

neutral

間違えやすい

canicule vs calicule

Similar spelling.

A calicule is a botanical term (part of a flower).

Le calicule de cette fleur est vert.

canicule vs canicule

Often confused with 'vague de chaleur'.

Canicule is technically defined by night temperatures, vague de chaleur is not.

C'est une canicule car il fait 25°C cette nuit.

canicule vs canicule

English speakers think 'Canicular'.

English rarely uses 'canicular' in speech; French uses 'canicule' daily.

The heatwave (canicule) was intense.

canicule vs canicule

Gender confusion.

It is feminine, unlike many other '-e' weather words like 'le tonnerre'.

La canicule est là.

canicule vs caniculaire

Using noun as adjective.

You can't say 'un jour canicule', you must say 'un jour caniculaire'.

Quel temps caniculaire !

文型パターン

C'est la [noun].

C'est la canicule.

Il fait [adjective] pendant la [noun].

Il fait chaud pendant la canicule.

[Verb] à cause de la [noun].

Je suis fatigué à cause de la canicule.

Face à la [noun], il faut [verb].

Face à la canicule, il faut boire.

Une [noun] [adjective] qui [verb].

Une canicule étouffante qui paralyse la ville.

Le concept de [noun] s'inscrit dans...

Le concept de canicule s'inscrit dans le changement climatique.

Si [noun] [verb], alors...

Si la canicule s'installe, alors nous partirons.

Je n'aime pas la [noun].

Je n'aime pas la canicule.

語族

名詞

canicule (f)

形容詞

caniculaire

使い方

frequency

Very high during summer months, non-existent in winter.

よくある間違い

Le canicule → La canicule
It's a feminine noun. This is the most common gender error.
Il fait canicule → C'est la canicule
We use 'c'est' or 'on est en' for this noun, not 'il fait' like an adjective.
Un temps canicule → Un temps caniculaire
You must use the adjective form to describe a noun like 'temps'.
La canicule de café → Le café est brûlant
Canicule is only for weather, not hot objects.
Je suis canicule → J'ai chaud
You cannot 'be' a heatwave. You 'have' heat or 'suffer' from the heatwave.

ヒント

Hydration

During a canicule, French people drink 'sirop' with water or 'menthe à l'eau' to stay hydrated.

Pronunciation

Make sure to round your lips for the 'u' in 'cule'. It's the most important part.

Shutters

Learn the phrase 'fermer les volets'. It's what everyone does during a canicule.

Articles

Always pair it with 'la' or 'une'. Never use it without an article.

Alerts

If you hear 'Vigilance Rouge Canicule', stay indoors and check on neighbors.

Degrees

French uses Celsius. A canicule is usually above 30-35 degrees.

Small Talk

Use 'Quelle canicule !' as an easy way to start a conversation in summer.

2003

Mentioning the 2003 canicule shows you know French history.

Fournaise

Use 'fournaise' for a hot car; it sounds more natural than 'canicule'.

Storms

Canicules often end with 'orages' (thunderstorms). Listen for that word too.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of a 'Can' of 'Cool' drink you need during a heatwave. CAN-I-CULE.

視覚的連想

Imagine a small dog (Canicula) panting next to a thermometer that is exploding from the heat.

Word Web

Summer Heat Sirius Dog Days Thirst Sun Météo Alert

チャレンジ

Try to use the word 'canicule' in three different sentences today: one about your health, one about the weather, and one about a plan.

語源

From the Latin 'canicula', which means 'little dog'. This was the name given to the star Sirius in the constellation Canis Major.

元の意味： The rising of the Dog Star (Sirius) at the same time as the sun.

Romance (Latin)

文化的な背景

Be respectful when discussing heatwaves with older French people, as many remember the 2003 tragedy.

In English, we usually say 'heatwave'. 'Canicule' sounds more scientific or dramatic to an English ear.

The 2003 European Heatwave (often called 'La Canicule de 2003'). The movie 'Canicule' (1983) starring Lee Marvin. The novel 'L'Été meurtrier' (One Deadly Summer) which captures the atmosphere.

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

Weather Forecast

vigilance orange
températures records
épisode durable
nuit tropicale

Health Advice

s'hydrater
rester au frais
éviter l'effort
mouiller son corps

Agriculture

stress hydrique
récoltes brûlées
manque d'eau
irrigation

Urban Life

îlot de chaleur
climatisation
volets fermés
transports saturés

History

été 2003
mortalité
prévention
mémoire collective

会話のきっかけ

"Vous arrivez à dormir avec cette canicule ?"

"On annonce une canicule pour la semaine prochaine, vous avez un ventilateur ?"

"Quelle est la pire canicule que vous ayez connue ?"

"Vous préférez la canicule ou un hiver très froid ?"

"Qu'est-ce que vous mangez quand c'est la canicule ?"

日記のテーマ

Décrivez une journée typique pendant une canicule en France.

Comment votre routine change-t-elle quand il fait plus de 35 degrés ?

Pensez-vous que les villes sont prêtes pour les futures canicules ?

Racontez un souvenir de vacances marqué par une chaleur caniculaire.

Quelles sont vos astuces personnelles pour rester au frais pendant la canicule ?

よくある質問

10 問

It varies by region in France. In Paris, it's usually 31°C day / 21°C night. In Marseille, it's 35°C day / 24°C night.

It is strictly feminine: la canicule.

Only metaphorically. It's better to say 'C'est une fournaise' for a room.

Usually from July 15th to August 15th, though it's expanding due to climate change.

No, it can be humid, but in France, it is often associated with dry, stagnant air.

A government system to protect vulnerable people during extreme heat.

The adjective is 'caniculaire'.

Yes, it's common in Belgium, Switzerland, and Quebec, though thresholds differ.

Yes, it is the standard word for a heatwave in French.

It comes from 'Canicula', the Latin name for the Dog Star, Sirius.

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