Meaning
Refers to the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
Cultural Background
The 'passage à l'heure d'hiver' (daylight savings) in October is a major cultural moment where people complain that 'il fait nuit' when they leave work. The phrase is often used by authors like Victor Hugo to contrast the physical night with the 'night' of the soul or social injustice. In winter, the extreme cold combined with 'il fait nuit' at 4 PM leads to a culture of 'cocooning' (staying cozy indoors).
The 'Faire' Rule
Remember: If you can't touch it (weather, light, temperature), use 'Il fait'.
No 'C'est'
Avoid 'C'est nuit'. It's the #1 marker of a beginner English speaker.
Meaning
Refers to the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
The 'Faire' Rule
Remember: If you can't touch it (weather, light, temperature), use 'Il fait'.
No 'C'est'
Avoid 'C'est nuit'. It's the #1 marker of a beginner English speaker.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence.
En hiver, ______ nuit très tôt.
Weather and time-of-day states always use 'il fait' in French.
Complete the sentence with the missing word.
Il fait ______ noire, je ne vois rien.
'Nuit noire' is the common expression for pitch black.
Match the phrase to the time of day.
22h00
10 PM is night time.
What would you say if you look outside at 11 PM?
A: On va au parc ? B: Non, regarde dehors, ________.
It's the logical reason not to go to a park late.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Faire vs Être
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEn hiver, ______ nuit très tôt.
Weather and time-of-day states always use 'il fait' in French.
Il fait ______ noire, je ne vois rien.
'Nuit noire' is the common expression for pitch black.
22h00
10 PM is night time.
A: On va au parc ? B: Non, regarde dehors, ________.
It's the logical reason not to go to a park late.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsTechnically yes in poetry, but in 99% of real-life situations, it sounds wrong. Stick to 'Il fait nuit'.
Use 'La nuit tombe' or 'Il commence à faire nuit'.
The noun 'nuit' is feminine (la nuit), but the impersonal subject 'Il' remains masculine.
Related Phrases
Il fait jour
contrastIt is daylight
La nuit tombe
similarNight is falling
Il fait sombre
similarIt is dark/dim
