In 15 Seconds
- Means being informed or in the loop about a specific topic.
- Uses the metaphor of a flowing current of information.
- Commonly used to ask for updates or confirm awareness.
Meaning
Actually, 'être au courant de' means to be informed or 'in the loop' about something. It describes knowing about a situation or having the latest news on a topic.
Key Examples
3 of 6Confirming news with a friend
Tu es au courant du concert de demain ?
Are you aware of the concert tomorrow?
In a professional meeting
Je suis déjà au courant de ce dossier.
I am already up to speed on this file.
Texting a group chat
Tenez-moi au courant pour le resto !
Keep me posted about the restaurant!
Cultural Background
In French offices, 'tenir au courant' is a key part of 'le reporting'. It implies a duty to share information with superiors and colleagues to maintain harmony. While 'être au courant' is perfectly understood and used, Quebecers might also use 'être au fait', which is slightly more formal but very common in Canadian French. The phrase is often used with a hint of irony or 'sous-entendu' (implication) when discussing secrets or scandals. In diplomacy, being 'au courant' is often replaced by 'être saisi de' (to be seized of/officially informed of) for formal matters.
The 'Tenir' Trick
If you want to sound like a native professional, use 'Je vous tiens au courant' instead of 'Je vous répondrai'. It sounds more proactive.
No Gender Agreement
Remember: even if a group of women is speaking, it's 'Nous sommes au courant', never 'courantes'.
In 15 Seconds
- Means being informed or in the loop about a specific topic.
- Uses the metaphor of a flowing current of information.
- Commonly used to ask for updates or confirm awareness.
What It Means
Think of this phrase as being connected to a live wire of information. In French, le courant refers to an electric current or a flow of water. When you are au courant, you are swimming in that flow of news. You aren't in the dark. You have the facts. It is the opposite of being clueless. If your friend asks if you heard about the secret office party, and you did, you are au courant.
How To Use It
Using this is very straightforward. You use the verb être (to be) followed by au courant de. If you want to say 'I know about it,' you say Je suis au courant. If you want to mention a specific thing, add de. For example: Je suis au courant de la situation. It works just like 'to be aware of' in English. You can also use it to ask questions. Tu es au courant ? is a great way to start a gossip session. It feels natural and smooth in conversation.
When To Use It
Use this phrase whenever information is being shared. It fits perfectly in a professional meeting when discussing a project. It is also great for casual chats with neighbors. Use it when you want to show you are up to date. It works for news, office rumors, or family updates. If someone tries to explain something you already know, use this to politely stop them. It shows you are already on the same page.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for deep, academic knowledge. You wouldn't say you are au courant of quantum physics unless it's a specific recent discovery. It is for news and events, not skills. Also, avoid it if you are under heavy pressure. Despite the prompt's initial translation, this phrase does NOT mean being stressed. If you are overwhelmed at work, use être sous pression instead. Using au courant there will just make people think you are very well-informed about your own stress!
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from the idea of a river's current. In the 18th century, it moved from water to the 'current' of time and news. It implies that information is a moving, living thing. If you aren't in the current, you are stuck on the bank. The French value being 'branché' (plugged in) and informed. Being au courant is a sign of social competence. It shows you are engaged with the world around you.
Common Variations
If you want to sound even more active, use tenir au courant. This means 'to keep someone posted.' You will hear Tiens-moi au courant ! (Keep me updated!) constantly. It is the standard way to end a conversation about future plans. Another variation is mettre quelqu'un au courant. This means to brief someone or fill them in. If a colleague missed a meeting, you need to le mettre au courant. These variations make you sound like a true native speaker.
Usage Notes
This phrase is incredibly versatile and sits right in the 'neutral' register. You can use it with your boss, your grandma, or your best friend without sounding out of place.
The 'Tenir' Trick
If you want to sound like a native professional, use 'Je vous tiens au courant' instead of 'Je vous répondrai'. It sounds more proactive.
No Gender Agreement
Remember: even if a group of women is speaking, it's 'Nous sommes au courant', never 'courantes'.
Social Glue
Using this phrase shows you are engaged with the person you are talking to. It's a great way to build rapport.
Examples
6Tu es au courant du concert de demain ?
Are you aware of the concert tomorrow?
A standard way to check if a friend has heard the news.
Je suis déjà au courant de ce dossier.
I am already up to speed on this file.
Shows professional competence and saves time.
Tenez-moi au courant pour le resto !
Keep me posted about the restaurant!
Very common way to ask for updates on plans.
Je suis toujours le dernier au courant, c'est incroyable !
I'm always the last to know, it's unbelievable!
Self-deprecating humor about being out of the loop.
Est-ce que ta mère est au courant de ton départ ?
Does your mother know about your departure?
Used here to discuss sensitive or private information.
Je vous mettrai au courant dès que j'aurai une réponse.
I will update you as soon as I have an answer.
Uses the 'mettre au courant' variation for a proactive tone.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct contraction of 'de'.
Je ne suis pas au courant ___ (le) projet de loi.
'De + le' contracts to 'du' in French.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the correct form:
'Au courant' is invariable and uses the verb 'être'.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.
A: 'J'ai entendu dire que l'entreprise allait fermer.' B: 'Oui, je ___.'
'Je suis au courant' is the standard way to confirm you have heard the news.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You want your friend to tell you what happens at the party later.
'Tiens-moi au courant' is the standard request for future updates.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJe ne suis pas au courant ___ (le) projet de loi.
'De + le' contracts to 'du' in French.
Select the correct form:
'Au courant' is invariable and uses the verb 'être'.
A: 'J'ai entendu dire que l'entreprise allait fermer.' B: 'Oui, je ___.'
'Je suis au courant' is the standard way to confirm you have heard the news.
You want your friend to tell you what happens at the party later.
'Tiens-moi au courant' is the standard request for future updates.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but usually with 'pour'. E.g., 'Tu es au courant pour Marie ?' (Do you know what happened with Marie?)
It is always 'de'. Using 'sur' is a common mistake for English speakers.
'Être au courant' is more common in speech; 'être informé' is more formal and official.
Yes, it is perfectly correct to follow the phrase with a 'que' clause.
Yes, it means 'well-informed' or 'up-to-date', but it sounds much more sophisticated in English than in French.
Use 'Tiens-moi au courant' (informal) or 'Tenez-moi au courant' (formal).
Yes, 'J'étais au courant' means 'I knew/I was aware'.
No, it is neutral. However, 'être au jus' is the slang version.
Metaphorically, yes. It refers to the 'running' or 'flow' of information.
Yes, 'Je n'étais pas au courant' is a very common way to say 'I didn't know'.
Related Phrases
se tenir au courant
similarTo keep oneself informed
tenir quelqu'un au courant
builds onTo keep someone informed
être au parfum
synonymTo be in the know (informal)
être au fait de
similarTo be fully aware of the facts
être à la page
similarTo be up to date
