élection in 30 Seconds
- Élection is a feminine noun meaning the act of choosing someone for a position through a formal vote.
- It is commonly used in political contexts (presidential) and local contexts (school delegates).
- Key associated verbs include 'élire' (to elect), 'voter' (to vote), and 'gagner' (to win).
- In French culture, elections are central to civic life and typically occur on Sundays.
The word élection is a feminine noun in French that refers to the formal process of selecting a person for a public office or a specific position by voting. In a broader sense, it signifies the act of choosing or the state of being chosen. At its core, an élection is the heartbeat of a democratic system, representing the collective will of a group, whether that group is a small local association or an entire nation. Understanding this word requires looking beyond the simple act of casting a ballot; it encompasses the campaign, the candidates, and the eventual outcome that shapes governance.
- Grammatical Gender
- Feminine (une élection, l'élection).
- Plural Form
- Élections (des élections).
- Core Concept
- The democratic mechanism of choice through suffrage.
L'élection présidentielle en France a lieu tous les cinq ans.
In French, the word is frequently used in the plural (les élections) when referring to the general event or the period during which people vote. For instance, one might say 'pendant les élections' (during the elections) to describe the political atmosphere. It is a word that carries weight, often associated with civic duty, rights, and the power of the people. In everyday life, you might encounter it in school (élection des délégués) or in professional environments (élection du comité d'entreprise).
C'est une élection très serrée entre les deux candidats.
Le résultat de l'élection sera annoncé à vingt heures.
- Synonym (Formal)
- Le scrutin (the ballot/voting process).
- Verb Form
- Élire (to elect).
Elle a gagné l'élection avec une large majorité.
Participer à une élection est un droit fondamental.
Using the word élection correctly involves understanding its typical collocations and the verbs that usually accompany it. Because it is a formal process, the language surrounding it is often structured and specific. You don't just 'do' an election; you organize it, participate in it, or win it. The most common verbs used with 'élection' include organiser (to organize), gagner (to win), perdre (to lose), and annuler (to cancel).
- Organiser une élection: To set up the voting process.
- Se présenter à une élection: To run for office (literally 'to present oneself').
- Remporter une élection: A more formal way to say 'to win an election'.
- Contester une élection: To challenge the results of an election.
When describing the type of election, you use adjectives that follow the noun. For example, l'élection présidentielle (presidential), l'élection législative (legislative), or l'élection municipale (municipal/local). Note that in French, the adjective agrees with the feminine noun 'élection'.
Structure: [Adjective] + élection vs. élection + [Adjective]
Another important aspect is the use of prepositions. We say lors d'une élection (during/at the time of an election) or candidat à l'élection (candidate for the election). If you are talking about the outcome, you might use le résultat de l'élection. It is also common to see the word in the plural when discussing the general concept of voting cycles: Les élections approchent (The elections are approaching).
The word élection is ubiquitous in French society, appearing in various contexts from high-stakes national politics to local community life. You will most frequently encounter it in the following environments:
1. News and Media
During an election year, the word dominates headlines. You will hear journalists discuss la campagne électorale (the election campaign), les sondages (polls), and le taux de participation (turnout rate). Television debates often center around the upcoming élection.
2. Educational Settings
In French schools, students participate in the élection des délégués de classe (election of class representatives). This is often a child's first introduction to the concept of democracy and the vocabulary of voting.
3. Workplace and Unions
Professional environments in France have élections professionnelles where employees vote for representatives to the Comité Social et Économique (CSE). This is a crucial part of French labor law and corporate culture.
4. Sports and Associations
Even in local football clubs or hobbyist associations, the president and board members are chosen via an élection. It is the standard way to confer legitimacy on leadership in the French-speaking world.
Even though élection is a cognate (it looks like the English word), there are several pitfalls for learners to avoid:
- Gender Confusion: Many learners mistakenly think 'élection' is masculine because it ends in a consonant sound. Remember: -tion = feminine. It is always la or une élection.
- Confusion with 'Vote': While related, 'élection' and 'vote' are not identical. L'élection is the entire process/event, while le vote is the individual act of casting a ballot. You participate in an élection by giving your vote.
- Incorrect Verb Choice: Learners often say 'faire une élection'. While understandable, the correct term is organiser or tenir une élection.
- Preposition Errors: Don't say 'élection pour le président'. Use the adjective form: l'élection présidentielle, or the preposition 'de': l'élection du président.
- Spelling: Don't forget the accent acute on the 'é'. Writing 'election' without the accent is a spelling error in French.
To expand your vocabulary, it is helpful to understand words that are closely related to élection. These words often appear in the same context but carry different nuances.
- Le Scrutin
- This refers specifically to the voting process or the ballot itself. It is more technical and formal than 'élection'. For example, 'le mode de scrutin' refers to the voting system (e.g., proportional vs. majority).
- Le Suffrage
- This is the right to vote or the vote itself in a political sense. 'Le suffrage universel' means universal suffrage, where every adult citizen has the right to vote.
- La Nomination
- Unlike an election, a nomination is when someone is appointed to a position by an authority rather than being chosen by a group of voters.
- Le Plébiscite
- A direct vote by all the people of a country on an important public question, often used to express support for a leader's policy.
- Le Référendum
- A specific type of vote where citizens are asked to answer 'yes' or 'no' to a specific proposal or law, rather than choosing a candidate.
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Feminine noun endings (-tion)
Adjective agreement with feminine nouns
The use of 'l'' before vowels
Passé composé with 'avoir' (Elle a gagné l'élection)
Prepositions of place (à l'élection)
Examples by Level
C'est une élection.
It is an election.
Use 'une' because 'élection' is feminine.
L'élection est demain.
The election is tomorrow.
L' is used before a vowel.
Qui gagne l'élection ?
Who is winning the election?
Question form with 'qui'.
J'aime cette élection.
I like this election.
Demonstrative adjective 'cette' (feminine).
Il y a une élection à l'école.
There is an election at school.
'Il y a' means 'there is'.
L'élection est importante.
The election is important.
Adjective 'importante' is feminine.
Voici l'élection.
Here is the election.
'Voici' introduces a noun.
Une petite élection.
A small election.
Adjective 'petite' comes before the noun.
Nous votons pour l'élection.
We are voting for the election.
Verb 'voter' followed by 'pour'.
L'élection présidentielle est finie.
The presidential election is over.
Adjective 'présidentielle' follows the noun.
Elle participe à l'élection.
She is participating in the election.
Preposition 'à' after 'participer'.
Les élections sont en mai.
The elections are in May.
Plural form 'les élections'.
Il veut gagner l'élection.
He wants to win the election.
Infinitive 'gagner' after 'veut'.
C'est une élection locale.
It is a local election.
Adjective 'locale' is feminine.
Regarde l'élection à la télé.
Watch the election on TV.
Imperative 'regarde'.
L'élection du délégué est aujourd'hui.
The delegate's election is today.
Possessive 'du' (de + le).
Le résultat de l'élection est surprenant.
The result of the election is surprising.
Noun 'résultat' linked by 'de'.
Il s'est présenté à l'élection municipale.
He ran for the municipal election.
Reflexive verb 'se présenter'.
La campagne pour l'élection commence.
The campaign for the election is starting.
Noun 'campagne' (feminine).
Je ne sais pas pour qui voter à cette élection.
I don't know who to vote for in this election.
Indirect question with 'pour qui'.
L'élection a été annulée hier.
The election was cancelled yesterday.
Passive voice 'a été annulée'.
Chaque élection est un moment fort.
Every election is a powerful moment.
Indefinite adjective 'chaque'.
Elle a perdu l'élection de peu.
She lost the election by a small margin.
Adverbial phrase 'de peu'.
Les gens parlent beaucoup de l'élection.
People are talking a lot about the election.
Verb 'parler' with 'de'.
L'élection se déroule au suffrage universel.
The election takes place by universal suffrage.
Reflexive verb 'se dérouler'.
Le taux de participation à l'élection est bas.
The turnout rate for the election is low.
Compound noun 'taux de participation'.
L'élection a provoqué de nombreux débats.
The election sparked many debates.
Verb 'provoquer' in passé composé.
Il faut réformer le système d'élection.
The election system must be reformed.
Impersonal 'il faut' + infinitive.
L'élection est entachée de soupçons de fraude.
The election is marred by suspicions of fraud.
Participle 'entachée' (feminine agreement).
Les enjeux de cette élection sont cruciaux.
The stakes of this election are crucial.
Plural noun 'enjeux'.
Elle a été élue dès le premier tour de l'élection.
She was elected in the first round of the election.
Phrase 'dès le premier tour'.
L'élection reflète l'opinion publique actuelle.
The election reflects current public opinion.
Verb 'refléter'.
La légitimité de l'élection est remise en question.
The legitimacy of the election is being questioned.
Idiom 'remettre en question'.
Cette élection marque un tournant historique.
This election marks a historical turning point.
Noun 'tournant' (metaphorical).
L'élection a été suivie par des observateurs internationaux.
The election was monitored by international observers.
Passive voice with 'par'.
Le paysage politique a changé après l'élection.
The political landscape changed after the election.
Metaphorical use of 'paysage'.
L'élection s'est jouée sur des questions économiques.
The election was decided on economic issues.
Reflexive 's'est jouée'.
On craint une forte abstention lors de l'élection.
A high abstention rate is feared during the election.
Impersonal 'on' + verb 'craindre'.
L'élection a révélé de profonds clivages sociaux.
The election revealed deep social divides.
Noun 'clivages'.
La transparence de l'élection est une priorité.
The transparency of the election is a priority.
Abstract noun 'transparence'.
L'élection constitue le socle de notre démocratie.
The election constitutes the bedrock of our democracy.
Formal verb 'constituer'.
Le contentieux lié à l'élection a été porté devant la cour.
The litigation related to the election was brought before the court.
Legal term 'contentieux'.
L'élection est le catalyseur de réformes majeures.
The election is the catalyst for major reforms.
Metaphorical 'catalyseur'.
L'élection par acclamation est devenue rare.
Election by acclamation has become rare.
Specific term 'par acclamation'.
On assiste à une érosion de la confiance dans l'élection.
We are witnessing an erosion of trust in the election.
Abstract noun 'érosion'.
L'élection a été le théâtre de manœuvres occultes.
The election was the scene of shadow maneuvers.
Literary phrase 'le théâtre de'.
La validité de l'élection dépend du respect des normes.
The validity of the election depends on compliance with standards.
Verb 'dépendre de'.
L'élection est l'aboutissement d'un long processus législatif.
The election is the culmination of a long legislative process.
Noun 'aboutissement'.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
Use singular for a specific event, plural for the general concept or multiple contests.
Use the noun 'élection' for the event and the verb 'élire' for the action.
- Saying 'le élection' instead of 'l'élection'.
- Using 'faire' instead of 'organiser' for an election.
- Forgetting the feminine agreement for adjectives (e.g., 'élection français' instead of 'française').
- Confusing 'élection' (the event) with 'électeur' (the person who votes).
- Spelling it without the accent: 'election'.
Tips
Gender Rule
Always remember that -tion nouns are feminine. This will help you with thousands of French words. Practice saying 'une élection' to build muscle memory.
Verb Pairing
Pair 'élection' with 'élire'. Knowing the noun and verb together makes your speech more fluid. 'On organise une élection pour élire un chef'.
Sunday Voting
In France, elections are on Sundays. If you hear someone talking about 'dimanche prochain' in a political context, they likely mean the election day.
Nasal Sounds
Focus on the nasal 'on' at the end. Don't let your tongue touch the roof of your mouth for the 'n'. It's a soft, airy sound.
Accents Matter
The accent on 'é' changes the sound from 'uh' to 'ay'. Always include it to be understood correctly in writing.
Liaison
In 'les élections', the 's' of 'les' is pronounced like a 'z' because it's followed by a vowel. Practice 'lay-zay-lek-syoh'.
Professional Use
In a job context, use 'élections professionnelles'. It shows you understand French workplace culture and labor representation.
Keywords
When listening to news, 'élection' is often followed by 'résultats' or 'candidats'. Listen for these clusters to understand the story.
Cognate Advantage
Since it's similar to English, focus your energy on the differences: the gender (feminine) and the specific French verbs used with it.
Common Questions
Learn the phrase 'C'est quand l'élection ?'. It's a simple, useful way to start a conversation about current events.
Memorize It
Word Origin
Latin 'electio'
Cultural Context
Sunday is the traditional day for voting in France.
Most major French elections use a two-round system.
Class delegate elections are a standard part of the French curriculum.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"Qu'est-ce que tu penses de l'élection ?"
"Est-ce que tu vas voter à l'élection ?"
"Qui est ton candidat préféré pour l'élection ?"
"L'élection était-elle juste selon toi ?"
"Comment se passe une élection dans ton pays ?"
Journal Prompts
Décrivez votre première expérience d'une élection.
Pourquoi l'élection est-elle importante pour la démocratie ?
Si vous étiez candidat à une élection, quel serait votre programme ?
Imaginez le résultat d'une élection imaginaire.
L'élection est-elle le meilleur moyen de choisir un chef ?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is feminine. You say 'la élection' (which becomes l'élection) or 'une élection'. This is a common rule for French words ending in -tion.
The most common way is 'se présenter à une élection'. You can also say 'être candidat à une élection'.
L'élection is the whole event or process. Le vote is the specific act of choosing a candidate or the ballot itself.
Yes, it can be used for school representatives, board members, or even metaphorically like 'l'élection du cœur' (choice of the heart).
It is pronounced like 'syoh' with a nasal 'o'. The 't' sounds like an 's'.
Yes, in French, the first 'e' always has an accent aigu (é) to indicate its sound.
It means 'presidential election', the process of choosing a country's president.
You say 'gagner une élection' or 'remporter une élection'.
It is the second round of voting, common in French elections when no one wins a majority in the first round.
Yes, 'les élections' is very common when referring to the general time period or multiple local contests.
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Summary
The word 'élection' is a vital feminine noun in French that bridges everyday school life and national politics. Mastering its gender, plural usage, and common collocations like 'élection présidentielle' is essential for discussing democracy and current events.
- Élection is a feminine noun meaning the act of choosing someone for a position through a formal vote.
- It is commonly used in political contexts (presidential) and local contexts (school delegates).
- Key associated verbs include 'élire' (to elect), 'voter' (to vote), and 'gagner' (to win).
- In French culture, elections are central to civic life and typically occur on Sundays.
Gender Rule
Always remember that -tion nouns are feminine. This will help you with thousands of French words. Practice saying 'une élection' to build muscle memory.
Verb Pairing
Pair 'élection' with 'élire'. Knowing the noun and verb together makes your speech more fluid. 'On organise une élection pour élire un chef'.
Sunday Voting
In France, elections are on Sundays. If you hear someone talking about 'dimanche prochain' in a political context, they likely mean the election day.
Nasal Sounds
Focus on the nasal 'on' at the end. Don't let your tongue touch the roof of your mouth for the 'n'. It's a soft, airy sound.
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