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A2 noun 7 min read

à jour

Examples à jour in 30 Seconds
Explanation à jour in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should learn that 'à jour' means 'up to date'. It is a very useful phrase when you are talking about your computer, your phone, or your paperwork. In France, you will often see messages on your phone saying 'mise à jour', which means 'update'. You can use the verb 'être' (to be) with it. For example, 'Mon téléphone est à jour' means 'My phone is up to date'. It is a simple phrase that does not change its form, so you do not need to worry about adding an 's' for plural or an 'e' for feminine. Just memorize the phrase exactly as it is: 'à jour'. You will hear it in offices, at the doctor's, and when using technology.
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At the A2 level, you can start using 'à jour' more actively in your sentences. You already know it means 'up to date'. Now, you should learn how to use it with the verb 'mettre' (to put). 'Mettre à jour' means 'to update'. For example, 'Je mets mon profil à jour' means 'I am updating my profile'. You can also use it to talk about your personal tasks. If you have finished all your homework, you can say 'Je suis à jour dans mes devoirs'. This shows that you are current with your responsibilities. Remember that the phrase itself never changes (it is invariable). It is a highly practical expression for daily life, school, and work environments.
At the B1 level, your use of 'à jour' should become more nuanced. You can use it comfortably with 'être', 'mettre', and introduce 'tenir' (to keep). 'Tenir à jour' means to maintain something in an updated state continuously. For example, 'Elle tient son journal à jour' (She keeps her diary up to date). You should also be able to distinguish between 'à jour' (up to date with tasks or documents) and 'au courant' (informed about news or situations). Using these phrases correctly demonstrates a solid intermediate grasp of French conversational norms. You will frequently encounter 'à jour' in professional emails and administrative correspondence.
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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'à jour' seamlessly in professional and complex contexts. You should understand its role in compound nouns, such as 'une mise à jour' (an update), and use it in passive constructions, like 'Le dossier a été mis à jour' (The file has been updated). You can also use the reflexive form 'se tenir à jour' to express keeping oneself informed about a particular field or topic, e.g., 'Je me tiens à jour sur les nouvelles technologies'. At this level, you should be aware of its synonyms like 'actualisé' and know when to use a more formal term in written French versus the standard 'à jour' in spoken French.
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At the C1 level, 'à jour' is a natural part of your vocabulary, used effortlessly in idiomatic expressions and professional jargon. You understand the subtle implications of the phrase in administrative law and corporate compliance, where being 'à jour de ses cotisations' means having paid all one's dues or contributions up to the current date. You can smoothly transition between 'mettre à jour', 'réactualiser', and 'moderniser' depending on the exact semantic shade required. Your mastery includes recognizing when 'à jour' functions almost as a standalone adjective in dense technical or legal texts without needing a supporting verb.
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At the C2 level, your command of 'à jour' is indistinguishable from a native speaker. You appreciate its etymological simplicity and its indispensable role in the modern French lexicon. You can play with the concept in literary or rhetorical contexts, contrasting the mundane 'mise à jour' of software with the philosophical need to keep one's worldview 'à jour'. You are fully aware of all syntactic variations, including rare hyphenated adjectival uses in highly specific jargon, and you can correct non-native speakers on the subtle differences between 'être à jour', 'être au fait', and 'être au courant' with precise, context-specific examples.
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Examples

à jour in 30 Seconds

  • Means 'up to date'.
  • Never changes form (no 's').
  • Used for apps, files, and tasks.
  • Use with verbs être, mettre, tenir.

The French expression à jour is an incredibly versatile and frequently used phrase that translates directly to 'up to date' or 'current'. While literally meaning 'to day', it functions primarily as an adjectival or adverbial phrase. Understanding this phrase is essential for navigating both professional environments and everyday administrative tasks in French-speaking countries.

Literal Translation
The word 'à' means 'at' or 'to', and 'jour' means 'day'. Together, they imply bringing something up to the present day.

You will most commonly encounter this phrase in contexts involving information, documents, software, or even personal knowledge. When you update your computer, you perform an 'mise à jour'. When you finish all your pending work, you are 'à jour' with your tasks.

Mon passeport n'est plus à jour.

In everyday conversation, people use it to ensure everyone is on the same page. If you have been absent from work, a colleague might bring you up to date on what you missed.

Professional Context
In business, keeping files and accounts 'à jour' is a standard requirement mentioned in many job descriptions.

Il faut tenir le registre à jour.

The concept of being current is deeply embedded in French administrative culture, which relies heavily on valid, recent documentation. Thus, knowing how to express that your papers are in order is crucial.

Le logiciel est à jour.

Technological Context
Every smartphone user in France knows this phrase due to constant app updates, known as 'mises à jour'.

Je suis enfin à jour dans mes e-mails.

Ultimately, mastering this phrase allows you to navigate everything from casual catch-ups with friends to complex bureaucratic procedures with confidence.

Est-ce que ton dossier est à jour ?

Using à jour correctly in a sentence depends largely on the verb it accompanies. The three most common verbs paired with this expression are 'être' (to be), 'mettre' (to put), and 'tenir' (to hold/keep). Each combination slightly alters the meaning and usage context.

Être à jour (To be up to date)
This describes a state of currentness. It can apply to a person who has finished their tasks or a document that is valid.

Je suis à jour dans mes devoirs.

When you use 'mettre', you are describing the action of updating something. 'Mettre à jour' is highly common in technology and administration.

Mettre à jour (To update)
This translates to the active process of bringing information or software to the current version.

Il doit mettre son site web à jour.

The third common verb is 'tenir', which implies an ongoing effort to maintain something in a current state.

Tenir à jour (To keep updated)
Used for logs, diaries, accounts, and records that require continuous, regular updating.

Elle tient son calendrier à jour.

Je me tiens à jour sur l'actualité.

It is also possible to use it as a standalone adjective phrase following a noun, connected by a hyphen when acting as a noun itself (une mise-à-jour), though the unhyphenated phrase is standard for adjectives.

Voici la version à jour du document.

You will hear à jour in a wide variety of contexts in the French-speaking world. It crosses the boundaries between formal bureaucratic language and casual, everyday speech. One of the most common places you will see it is on your computer or smartphone screen.

Technology and IT
Software updates are universally called 'mises à jour'. You will see prompts asking you to install them frequently.

Votre système est à jour.

Another major area is administration. France is known for its thorough administrative procedures, which require citizens to provide recent documents. If a document is too old, it is rejected.

Bureaucracy and Admin
Passports, ID cards, and utility bills must be current. Officials will explicitly check if your file is up to date.

Veuillez fournir une attestation à jour.

Vos vaccins sont-ils à jour ?

In the workplace, managers and colleagues use it to check on the progress of projects or to ensure that everyone has the latest information.

Workplace Communication
It is standard corporate vocabulary for discussing project statuses and data accuracy.

Le tableau de bord n'est pas à jour.

Je suis enfin à jour dans mes révisions.

Despite its simplicity, English speakers frequently make a few specific errors when using à jour. The most prevalent mistake involves treating it like a standard adjective that needs to agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies.

Mistake 1: Pluralization
Because 'à jour' is a prepositional phrase acting as an adjective, it is invariable. It never takes an 's'.

Incorrect: Les dossiers sont à jours.
Correct: Les dossiers sont à jour.

Another common issue arises when learners try to translate the English verb 'to update' directly without using 'mettre'. They might attempt to use 'à jour' as a verb itself, which is grammatically impossible in French.

Mistake 2: Using it as a verb
You must use the verb 'mettre' (to put) to express the action of updating.

Incorrect: J'à jour le document.
Correct: Je mets le document à jour.

Learners also sometimes confuse 'à jour' with 'au courant'. While both can relate to being informed, they are used differently. 'Au courant' means being aware of news or a situation, while 'à jour' means having completed tasks or having the latest version of something.

Mistake 3: Confusing with 'Au courant'
Use 'au courant' for knowing gossip or news. Use 'à jour' for having current documents or finished work.

Je suis à jour dans mon travail, mais je ne suis pas au courant des rumeurs.

Il faut faire une mise à jour.

Ton profil est-il à jour ?

While à jour is the most common way to say 'up to date', the French language offers several nuanced alternatives depending on the exact context. Knowing these alternatives will enrich your vocabulary and help you sound more like a native speaker.

Actualisé (Updated / Current)
This is a formal adjective often used in journalism or official reports to indicate that data has been refreshed.

Les chiffres ont été actualisés, ils sont donc à jour.

When talking about being informed about a situation, 'au courant' is the preferred alternative. It implies mental awareness rather than a physical or digital state of completion.

Au courant (Informed / Aware)
Used when someone has the latest news, gossip, or information about a specific event.

Je vous tiendrai au courant de la situation.

In specific technical or design contexts, you might hear 'modernisé', which implies not just updating data, but bringing the style or functionality into the modern era.

Modernisé (Modernized)
Focuses on improvement and bringing something up to modern standards, not just current data.

Le système a été modernisé pour être à jour.

C'est la version la plus récente et à jour.

Ce document est dépassé, il n'est plus à jour.

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Examples by Level

1

Mon téléphone est à jour.

My phone is up to date.

Uses 'être' (to be) + à jour.

2

Le fichier est à jour.

The file is up to date.

Invariable phrase modifying a masculine singular noun.

3

La liste est à jour.

The list is up to date.

Invariable phrase modifying a feminine singular noun.

4

Je suis à jour.

I am up to date.

Used to describe a person's state.

5

Ton passeport est à jour ?

Is your passport up to date?

Question format.

6

Les documents sont à jour.

The documents are up to date.

Notice 'à jour' does not take an 's' even with a plural noun.

7

Il n'est pas à jour.

He/It is not up to date.

Negative construction.

8

C'est à jour.

It is up to date.

Simple present tense with 'c'est'.

1

Je mets mon profil à jour.

I am updating my profile.

Uses 'mettre' + object + 'à jour'.

2

Tu dois mettre l'application à jour.

You must update the application.

Modal verb 'devoir' + infinitive 'mettre'.

3

Nous sommes à jour dans nos devoirs.

We are up to date with our homework.

Followed by 'dans' to specify the area.

4

Le site web n'est plus à jour.

The website is no longer up to date.

Uses 'ne... plus' (no longer).

5

Fais une mise à jour.

Do an update.

Using the noun form 'une mise à jour'.

6

Mes vaccins sont à jour.

My vaccines are up to date.

Common medical context.

7

Elle met son agenda à jour.

She is updating her planner.

Action of updating a physical object.

8

Est-ce que le rapport est à jour ?

Is the report up to date?

Formal question structure.

1

Il est important de tenir ses comptes à jour.

It is important to keep one's accounts up to date.

Uses 'tenir' + object + 'à jour'.

2

J'ai téléchargé la dernière mise à jour.

I downloaded the latest update.

Noun phrase 'mise à jour' with an adjective.

3

Je me tiens à jour sur l'actualité.

I keep myself up to date on the news.

Reflexive verb 'se tenir'.

4

Le dossier a été mis à jour hier.

The file was updated yesterday.

Passive voice in the passé composé.

5

Assurez-vous que vos coordonnées soient à jour.

Ensure that your contact details are up to date.

Subjunctive mood after 'Assurez-vous que'.

6

Je ne suis pas encore à jour dans mon courrier.

I am not yet up to date with my mail.

Using 'pas encore' (not yet).

7

Le logiciel se met à jour automatiquement.

The software updates automatically.

Reflexive use of 'mettre' for automated actions.

8

Veuillez garder ce registre à jour.

Please keep this register up to date.

Imperative form with 'garder'.

1

Bien que je sois débordé, j'essaie d'être à jour.

Although I am overwhelmed, I try to be up to date.

Subjunctive mood after 'Bien que'.

2

La mise à jour du système requiert un redémarrage.

The system update requires a restart.

Formal vocabulary ('requiert').

3

Il faut que tu te tiennes à jour des nouvelles réglementations.

You must keep yourself up to date with the new regulations.

Subjunctive with reflexive 'se tenir à jour de'.

4

Ces données, une fois mises à jour, seront publiées.

These data, once updated, will be published.

Past participle agreement ('mises') modifying 'données'.

5

Je suis à jour de mes cotisations syndicales.

I am up to date with my union dues.

Specific administrative expression 'être à jour de'.

6

Leur équipement n'est manifestement pas à jour.

Their equipment is clearly not up to date.

Adverb 'manifestement' modifying the phrase.

7

Maintenir une base de données à jour est un défi constant.

Maintaining an up-to-date database is a constant challenge.

Infinitive phrase acting as the subject.

8

Nous avons procédé à la mise à jour des statuts de l'association.

We proceeded with the update of the association's bylaws.

Formal administrative phrasing.

1

La pérennité de l'entreprise dépend de sa capacité à se maintenir à jour technologiquement.

The company's sustainability depends on its ability to stay technologically up to date.

Complex sentence structure with abstract nouns.

2

Il est impératif que le registre des délibérations soit rigoureusement tenu à jour.

It is imperative that the register of deliberations be strictly kept up to date.

Passive subjunctive with an adverb.

3

Être à jour de ses obligations fiscales est un prérequis absolu.

Being up to date with one's tax obligations is an absolute prerequisite.

Formal legal/administrative context.

4

Les clauses du contrat ont été mises à jour pour refléter la jurisprudence récente.

The clauses of the contract were updated to reflect recent case law.

Advanced legal vocabulary.

5

Cette version à jour pallie les vulnérabilités de la précédente.

This up-to-date version compensates for the vulnerabilities of the previous one.

Using 'à jour' directly as an adjective modifying 'version'.

6

Faute d'une mise à jour régulière, le système est devenu obsolète.

For lack of regular updating, the system became obsolete.

Use of 'Faute de' (for lack of).

7

Le comité s'attelle à la mise à jour du plan d'urbanisme.

The committee is tackling the update of the urban development plan.

Idiomatic verb 's'atteler à'.

8

Se tenir à jour dans ce domaine exige une veille informationnelle constante.

Keeping up to date in this field requires constant informational monitoring.

Professional jargon ('veille informationnelle').

1

L'obsolescence programmée rend caduque toute tentative de maintenir le matériel à jour.

Planned obsolescence renders any attempt to keep the hardware up to date obsolete.

Highly advanced vocabulary ('caduque', 'obsolescence programmée').

2

Le législateur a dû procéder à une mise à jour expresse du code pénal.

The legislator had to proceed with an express update of the penal code.

Formal legal phrasing.

3

Il s'enorgueillit d'être toujours à jour des moindres soubresauts de l'économie mondiale.

He prides himself on always being up to date with the slightest tremors of the global economy.

Literary verb 's'enorgueillir' and poetic noun 'soubresauts'.

4

Une historiographie à jour se doit d'intégrer ces nouvelles découvertes archéologiques.

An up-to-date historiography must integrate these new archaeological discoveries.

Academic context with 'se doit de'.

5

La nomenclature a été mise à jour afin d'éradiquer les ambiguïtés sémantiques.

The nomenclature was updated in order to eradicate semantic ambiguities.

Advanced academic vocabulary.

6

Quiconque n'est pas à jour de ses cotisations s'expose à une radiation immédiate.

Anyone who is not up to date with their dues faces immediate expulsion.

Legal/administrative threat phrasing.

7

Cette refonte globale constitue la mise à jour la plus exhaustive de la décennie.

This comprehensive overhaul constitutes the most exhaustive update of the decade.

Synonym variation ('refonte').

8

L'encyclopédie, perpétuellement mise à jour par ses contributeurs, est une œuvre vivante.

The encyclopedia, perpetually updated by its contributors, is a living work.

Past participle phrase used as an appositive.

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