Meaning
Refers to the period of light between sunrise and sunset.
Cultural Background
The French value natural light in architecture. You will often hear people say 'Il fait jour' as a reason to open the 'volets' (shutters) immediately upon waking. In winter, when daylight is scarce, 'il fait jour' is a phrase of relief or importance, as the sun might only be up from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The transition from 'il fait nuit' to 'il fait jour' is a common poetic theme in French 'chansons' (songs), representing hope or a new beginning.
The 'Il fait' Rule
Memorize 'Il fait' as a block for weather. If you're talking about the sky or light, 90% of the time it starts with 'Il fait'.
Avoid 'C'est'
Never use 'C'est jour'. It sounds like you are saying 'It is a day' in a very broken, robotic way.
Meaning
Refers to the period of light between sunrise and sunset.
The 'Il fait' Rule
Memorize 'Il fait' as a block for weather. If you're talking about the sky or light, 90% of the time it starts with 'Il fait'.
Avoid 'C'est'
Never use 'C'est jour'. It sounds like you are saying 'It is a day' in a very broken, robotic way.
Test Yourself
How do you say 'It is daylight' in French?
___ jour.
French uses 'il fait' for all weather and environmental light conditions.
Complete the sentence to say it was daylight in the past.
Il ___ jour quand je me suis réveillé.
The imperfect 'faisait' is used to describe background states in the past.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You want to tell your friend that the sun is up so you can stop using a flashlight.
'Il fait jour' indicates there is enough natural light to see.
Fill in the missing line.
A: Pourquoi tu n'allumes pas la lampe ? B: Parce qu'il ___.
You don't need a lamp if it is already daylight.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Il fait... Expressions
Light
- • Il fait jour
- • Il fait nuit
- • Il fait sombre
Weather
- • Il fait beau
- • Il fait froid
- • Il fait chaud
Practice Bank
4 exercises___ jour.
French uses 'il fait' for all weather and environmental light conditions.
Il ___ jour quand je me suis réveillé.
The imperfect 'faisait' is used to describe background states in the past.
You want to tell your friend that the sun is up so you can stop using a flashlight.
'Il fait jour' indicates there is enough natural light to see.
A: Pourquoi tu n'allumes pas la lampe ? B: Parce qu'il ___.
You don't need a lamp if it is already daylight.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, 'Il est jour' is grammatically incorrect in French. You must use 'Il fait'.
'Jour' is the unit of time or the state of light. 'Journée' is the span of time between morning and evening.
You say 'Le jour se lève' or 'Il commence à faire jour'.
No, it is neutral and used in every context from casual to professional.
Related Phrases
Il fait nuit
contrastIt is night/dark.
Le jour se lève
similarThe sun is rising.
Il fait grand jour
specialized formIt is broad daylight.
