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mensuellement

A2 adverb #3,500 most common 10 min read

mensuellement

Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips mensuellement in 30 Seconds

Explanation mensuellement in your Level:

At the A1 level, the focus is on basic time expressions. While 'mensuellement' might be a bit advanced, students learn 'tous les mois' (every month). Understanding that 'mensuellement' exists helps students recognize it on bills or signs. At this stage, you should know it relates to 'le mois' (the month). You might see it in a simple sentence like 'Je paie mensuellement.' It is important to start noticing the '-ment' ending, which is the French equivalent of '-ly' in English. This recognition is a huge step in building a foundation for French adverbs. Even if you don't use it in conversation yet, knowing it means 'monthly' is essential for basic survival tasks like understanding a phone contract or a gym membership price list in a French-speaking city.

At the A2 level, you are expected to describe your routines and habits. 'Mensuellement' becomes a useful tool for this. You can use it to talk about your budget, your subscriptions, or how often you visit your family if it's a regular occurrence. You start to see the difference between 'mensuel' (adjective) and 'mensuellement' (adverb). For example, 'C'est un magazine mensuel' versus 'Le magazine sort mensuellement'. You should practice placing the adverb after the verb. At this level, you are also learning other frequency words like 'souvent' or 'parfois', and 'mensuellement' adds a layer of precision to your descriptions. It's a great word to use in the 'DELF A2' speaking exam when talking about your lifestyle or work habits, as it shows you have a more varied vocabulary than just using 'tous les jours'.

At the B1 level, you move into more professional and social topics. 'Mensuellement' is very common in workplace discussions. You might have to explain a project's progress in a meeting: 'Nous faisons un bilan mensuellement.' You are also expected to handle administrative tasks in French, such as setting up a bank account or renting an apartment. In these contexts, 'mensuellement' is the standard term. You should be comfortable using it in both written and spoken forms. You will also start to encounter it in more complex sentence structures, such as with the passive voice or within relative clauses. Understanding the register is key here; you know that using 'mensuellement' makes your French sound more structured and serious compared to 'tous les mois'. You can also start comparing it with 'trimestriellement' (quarterly) when discussing more complex schedules.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'mensuellement' with complete confidence in formal essays and debates. You might use it to discuss economic trends, social habits, or environmental data: 'Les niveaux de pollution sont mesurés mensuellement.' You understand the nuance of using this adverb to provide a professional tone. You are also aware of the word family, including 'la mensualité' and 'mensualiser'. In a B2 level argument, you might discuss the pros and cons of being paid 'mensuellement' versus 'à la quinzaine' (fortnightly). Your ability to use such precise temporal adverbs contributes to the 'cohesion' and 'coherence' of your text, which are major grading criteria at this level. You also recognize it in literature and high-level journalism where it is used to establish a rhythmic or systematic tone in the narrative.

At the C1 level, your use of 'mensuellement' is nuanced and stylistically appropriate. You can use it in academic writing or high-level business reports. You understand its etymological roots and how it fits into the broader system of French temporal adverbs. You might use it to create a specific rhythm in your prose or to emphasize the relentless regularity of a process. At this level, you are also sensitive to the potential for redundancy; you wouldn't say 'chaque mois mensuellement'. You also explore the word's usage in historical or legal documents, where its meaning must be interpreted with absolute precision. You can discuss the evolution of the word and its role in the standardization of the French administrative language. Your vocabulary is so broad that 'mensuellement' is just one of many options you have to express frequency, and you choose it specifically for its formal, systematic connotations.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'mensuellement'. You can use it in any context, from a casual conversation where you might use it ironically to sound overly formal, to a complex legal contract where it defines a binding obligation. You understand the subtle differences between 'mensuellement', 'par mois', and 'au mois le mois' (month by month/living hand to mouth). You can analyze the use of the word in classical literature or modern political discourse. You are aware of how the concept of 'mensualité' has shaped French economic life and can discuss this using the word and its derivatives fluently. For a C2 speaker, 'mensuellement' is not just a vocabulary word; it's a concept that you can manipulate with precision, elegance, and perfect grammatical accuracy in any rhetorical situation.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

mensuellement in 30 Seconds

Mensuellement is the French adverb for 'monthly', used to describe actions that occur once every month with regularity.
It is derived from the adjective 'mensuel' and is commonly found in financial, professional, and administrative contexts.
While 'tous les mois' is more common in casual speech, 'mensuellement' is the preferred formal and precise term.
Grammatically, it usually follows the verb it modifies and is essential for discussing subscriptions, rent, and salaries.

The French adverb mensuellement is a precise temporal marker used to describe actions, events, or processes that occur exactly once every month. Derived from the adjective mensuel (monthly) and the adverbial suffix -ment, it serves as the formal counterpart to the phrase chaque mois or tous les mois. In the rhythm of French life, this word is foundational because it governs the timing of the most significant recurring responsibilities and benefits. From a linguistic perspective, it belongs to a family of frequency adverbs based on Latin roots, such as quotidiennement (daily), hebdomadairement (weekly), and annuellement (annually). When you use mensuellement, you are often speaking about a structured system, such as a subscription service, a financial obligation, or a professional reporting cycle. It is the language of the 'bulletin de paie' (pay slip) and the 'relevé de compte' (bank statement).

Frequency Level: High in administrative, financial, and formal contexts; moderate in daily casual speech where 'tous les mois' is often preferred.

In French society, the concept of 'mensualisation' is very common, referring to the practice of spreading annual costs—like taxes or electricity bills—over twelve equal monthly payments. Therefore, you will hear mensuellement used constantly when discussing 'le budget' or 'les factures'. It implies a sense of regularity and predictability. For a learner, mastering this word signifies a transition from basic conversational French to the more professional and administrative French required for living or working in a Francophone environment. It is not merely a translation of 'monthly'; it is a marker of adult responsibility in the French-speaking world.

La plupart des salariés français sont payés mensuellement, généralement à la fin du mois.

Beyond finance, the word is used in media and publishing. A magazine that comes out every month is a 'mensuel', and its distribution happens mensuellement. In scientific or medical contexts, it describes cycles, such as a treatment that must be administered once a month. It is a word that provides clarity. If a doctor says a check-up is needed mensuellement, there is no ambiguity about the frequency. This clarity is why the word is so favored in legal and technical documentation. It removes the vagueness that can sometimes accompany more colloquial expressions of time.

Using mensuellement correctly involves understanding both its grammatical placement and its stylistic weight. As an adverb, it typically follows the verb it modifies. For example, in the sentence 'Je paie mon loyer mensuellement' (I pay my rent monthly), the adverb provides the necessary detail about the action of paying. In compound tenses, like the passé composé, it usually follows the past participle: 'Il a été payé mensuellement' (He was paid monthly). However, for emphasis, it can occasionally be placed at the beginning or end of a longer sentence structure, though this is more common in formal writing than in speech.

Grammar Rule: Place 'mensuellement' after the conjugated verb in simple tenses and after the past participle in compound tenses.

One must also distinguish between the adverb mensuellement and the adjective mensuel. You would say 'un abonnement mensuel' (a monthly subscription) using the adjective to describe the noun, but 's'abonner mensuellement' (to subscribe monthly) using the adverb to describe the verb. This distinction is crucial for CEFR A2-B1 learners who are beginning to refine their word choice. Another important aspect is the comparison with 'par mois'. While both mean 'per month', mensuellement describes the frequency of the action, whereas 'par mois' often describes the rate or quantity (e.g., '50 euros par mois').

Les statistiques de vente sont analysées mensuellement par la direction.

In more complex sentence structures, mensuellement can be used to contrast different periods. For instance, 'Le loyer est dû mensuellement, mais les charges sont calculées annuellement.' This demonstrates how the word functions as a building block for describing logistical systems. It is also frequently found in the passive voice in formal reports: 'Les données sont mises à jour mensuellement' (The data are updated monthly). This usage highlights the word's role in professional communication where precision is paramount. Finally, consider the negative form. 'Ce service n'est pas facturé mensuellement' (This service is not billed monthly). Here, the adverb remains after the verb 'facturé'. Whether in the affirmative or negative, the word maintains its position as a clear indicator of a thirty-day cycle. It is a robust word that rarely changes its meaning regardless of the context, making it a reliable tool for any French learner's vocabulary.

You will encounter mensuellement in several specific domains of French life. The most common is the financial sector. When you open a bank account in France, the 'frais de tenue de compte' (account maintenance fees) are often deducted mensuellement. If you take out a loan, the 'remboursements' (repayments) occur mensuellement. Bank advisors and official documents will almost exclusively use this term rather than the more casual 'chaque mois'. It conveys a level of contractual obligation and formal agreement.

Professional Context: Used in business meetings to discuss KPIs, reporting cycles, and payroll schedules.

Another major area is the workplace. In France, the 'salaire' is traditionally paid mensuellement. During a job interview, an employer might explain that 'les primes sont versées mensuellement' (bonuses are paid monthly). In team meetings, a manager might request that 'les rapports soient soumis mensuellement' (reports be submitted monthly). In these cases, the word reinforces the professional expectations and the recurring nature of the task. It is also common in the world of media. Radio and television news programs often report on 'les chiffres du chômage' (unemployment figures) which are released mensuellement by government agencies like Pôle Emploi.

Cette revue technique paraît mensuellement depuis plus de vingt ans.

In the digital age, 'mensuellement' has found a new home in the 'économie de l'abonnement' (subscription economy). Whether it is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform, a streaming service like Netflix, or a mobile phone plan, the billing cycle is described as occurring mensuellement. When browsing French websites, look at the pricing pages; you will often see options to be billed 'annuellement' (annually) or 'mensuellement'. The choice of mensuellement here is a standard marketing and technical term. Lastly, you will hear it in the healthcare system. Some long-term treatments or prescriptions are renewed mensuellement. Pharmacists and doctors use this term to ensure patients understand the frequency of their medication. In summary, while you might not use 'mensuellement' to tell a friend how often you go to the cinema, you will hear and see it every time you interact with the formal structures of French society.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with mensuellement is a spelling error. In English, 'monthly' is simple, but in French, the adverb is derived from the feminine adjective mensuelle. Learners often forget the double 'l' or the 'e' before the '-ment' suffix, writing 'mensulement'. Remember: mensuel (masculine) -> mensuelle (feminine) -> mensuellement (adverb). This pattern is consistent for many French adverbs ending in '-ment', such as habituellement or actuellement.

Spelling Trap: Always ensure the double 'l' is present. It comes from the feminine form 'mensuelle'.

Another common error is confusing mensuellement with its false friend menstruellement. While they share a distant Latin root relating to months, menstruellement refers specifically to the menstrual cycle. Using the wrong one in a professional or financial context can lead to significant embarrassment. Always double-check that you are using the version related to 'le mois' (the month) in a general sense. Furthermore, learners sometimes use the adjective mensuel where the adverb mensuellement is required. For example, saying 'Je paie mensuel' is grammatically incorrect; it must be 'Je paie mensuellement' or 'Je fais un paiement mensuel'.

Faux pas: Confondre mensuellement (monthly) avec d'autres termes temporels comme 'hebdomadairement' (weekly).

There is also a nuance in register. While 'mensuellement' is perfectly correct, using it in a very casual conversation can make you sound overly formal or robotic. If you are telling a friend that you cut your hair every month, saying 'Je me coupe les cheveux mensuellement' sounds like a corporate report. In that context, 'tous les mois' or 'une fois par mois' is much more natural. A common mistake is not 'mensuellement' itself, but rather failing to switch to more colloquial expressions when appropriate. Finally, be careful with the preposition 'par'. Some learners try to say 'par mensuellement', which is a redundant combination of a preposition and an adverb. You should choose either 'mensuellement' (adverb) or 'par mois' (preposition + noun). Understanding these distinctions will help you sound more like a native speaker and avoid the 'translation-ese' that often plagues intermediate learners.

To truly master mensuellement, you must understand the ecosystem of words that surround it. The most direct synonym is the phrase chaque mois or tous les mois. These are used in almost all contexts and are the go-to choices for daily life. While mensuellement is an adverb, mensuel is the adjective. You will often see 'un abonnement mensuel' (a monthly subscription) or 'un magazine mensuel'.

Comparison: Adverb vs Phrase: 'Mensuellement' (Formal/Precise) vs 'Tous les mois' (Common/Casual).
Comparison: Adverb vs Adjective: 'Il paie mensuellement' (Adverb) vs 'C'est un paiement mensuel' (Adjective).

Another alternative is the expression par mois. This is specifically used when talking about rates or quantities. For example, 'Il gagne 3000 euros par mois'. While you could technically say 'Il est payé 3000 euros mensuellement', the 'par mois' version is much more common when a specific number is involved. If you are looking for a word that implies a regular cycle without specifying it is 'monthly', you might use périodiquement (periodically) or régulièrement (regularly). However, these lack the specificity of the thirty-day cycle.

On peut dire 'tous les mois' pour être simple, ou 'mensuellement' pour être professionnel.

In legal or highly technical French, you might encounter the term mensualisé, which is a past participle used as an adjective. This refers to something that has been converted into a monthly format. For example, 'des impôts mensualisés' (monthly-ized taxes). This is a very specific term that you won't find in English, as we tend to just say 'monthly taxes'. Finally, consider the opposite: ponctuellement (punctually/occasionally) or rarement (rarely). These words help define the 'regularity' of mensuellement by contrast. By knowing these alternatives, you can choose the word that best fits the formality of your situation and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root 'mensis' is also related to the word 'mener' (to lead) in some ancient theories, suggesting the moon 'leads' the passage of time. It is also the cousin of the English word 'measure'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /mɑ̃.sɥɛl.mɑ̃/

US /mɑ̃.swɛl.mɑ̃/

In French, stress is generally even, but a slight emphasis may fall on the final syllable 'mɑ̃'.

Rhymes With

actuellement habituellement éventuellement sexuellement graduellement annuellement mutuellement visuellement

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 's' as a 'z'. It should be a soft 's'.
Failing to make the nasal sounds in the first and last syllables.
Pronouncing the final 't'. It is silent.
Over-emphasizing the 'u', making it two distinct syllables instead of a blend.
Forgetting the double 'l' sound which adds a slight length to the 'e' before it.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize because of the '-ly' equivalent ending and the 'mens' root.

Writing 3/5

Spelling can be tricky due to the double 'l' and the 'e' before '-ment'.

Speaking 3/5

Requires mastering nasal sounds and the 'u-e' semi-vowel blend.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation usually makes it easy to spot in formal speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

le mois mensuel souvent toujours chaque

Learn Next

trimestriellement annuellement hebdomadairement quotidiennement mensualité

Advanced

périodicité échéance prélèvement virement indexation

Grammar to Know

Adverb formation from feminine adjectives

mensuelle + ment = mensuellement

Placement of adverbs after the verb

Il travaille mensuellement.

Nasal vowels 'en' and 'an'

man-su-elle-ment

Invariability of adverbs

Elles paient mensuellement (no 's').

Adverb vs Adjective usage

Un rapport mensuel (adj) vs Il rapporte mensuellement (adv).

Examples by Level

Je paie mon loyer mensuellement.

I pay my rent monthly.

The adverb 'mensuellement' comes after the verb 'paie'.

Le bus passe mensuellement ?

Does the bus run monthly?

A1 learners might use this in a question, though 'tous les mois' is more common.

Elle lit ce magazine mensuellement.

She reads this magazine monthly.

Standard placement after the verb 'lit'.

Nous mangeons au restaurant mensuellement.

We eat at the restaurant monthly.

Indicates a regular habit.

Le professeur donne un test mensuellement.

The teacher gives a test monthly.

Describes a recurring school activity.

Je nettoie ma voiture mensuellement.

I clean my car monthly.

Simple frequency description.

Il téléphone à sa mère mensuellement.

He calls his mother monthly.

Adverb modifying the verb 'téléphone'.

Le jardinier vient mensuellement.

The gardener comes monthly.

Describes a scheduled service.

Je reçois ma facture d'électricité mensuellement.

I receive my electricity bill monthly.

Common administrative use.

Nous vérifions nos comptes mensuellement.

We check our accounts monthly.

Refers to financial management.

L'abonnement est débité mensuellement de mon compte.

The subscription is debited monthly from my account.

Passive construction with 'est débité'.

Elle économise cent euros mensuellement.

She saves one hundred euros monthly.

Describes a financial habit.

Le club se réunit mensuellement pour discuter.

The club meets monthly to discuss.

Describes a social schedule.

Vous devez renouveler votre carte mensuellement.

You must renew your card monthly.

Used with a modal verb 'devez'.

Les plantes sont arrosées mensuellement en hiver.

The plants are watered monthly in winter.

Specifies frequency in a certain season.

Je mets à jour mon blog mensuellement.

I update my blog monthly.

Modern digital context.

Le directeur présente les résultats mensuellement.

The director presents the results monthly.

Professional reporting context.

Il est important de s'informer mensuellement sur l'actualité.

It is important to stay informed monthly about the news.

Used in an infinitive clause.

Les frais de maintenance sont facturés mensuellement.

Maintenance fees are billed monthly.

Formal business terminology.

Nous devons évaluer les progrès des élèves mensuellement.

We must evaluate the students' progress monthly.

Educational administrative use.

L'assurance est payée mensuellement par virement.

The insurance is paid monthly by bank transfer.

Specific payment method mentioned.

Le logiciel se met à jour mensuellement pour plus de sécurité.

The software updates monthly for more security.

Reflexive verb 'se met à jour'.

Elle suit ses dépenses mensuellement avec une application.

She tracks her expenses monthly with an app.

Focus on personal organization.

Le loyer doit être réglé mensuellement avant le cinq du mois.

The rent must be settled monthly before the fifth of the month.

Precise contractual instruction.

Les données démographiques sont collectées mensuellement par l'institut.

Demographic data are collected monthly by the institute.

Academic/Statistical context.

Le comité de direction se rassemble mensuellement pour statuer sur les projets.

The steering committee meets monthly to rule on projects.

Formal corporate language.

Les dividendes ne sont pas versés mensuellement, mais annuellement.

Dividends are not paid monthly, but annually.

Contrasting two frequency adverbs.

L'entreprise communique mensuellement sur ses engagements écologiques.

The company communicates monthly on its ecological commitments.

Corporate social responsibility context.

Les stocks sont inventoriés mensuellement afin d'éviter les pertes.

Stocks are inventoried monthly to avoid losses.

Logistical terminology.

Le loyer est indexé mensuellement selon l'inflation.

The rent is indexed monthly according to inflation.

Economic/Legal nuance.

La performance du site web est analysée mensuellement par l'équipe SEO.

The website performance is analyzed monthly by the SEO team.

Technical digital marketing context.

Il convient de réviser ses objectifs mensuellement pour rester motivé.

It is advisable to revise one's goals monthly to stay motivated.

Formal advice using 'Il convient de'.

L'administration s'efforce de traiter les dossiers mensuellement malgré la surcharge.

The administration strives to process the files monthly despite the overload.

Complex sentence with concession.

Les fluctuations du marché sont scrutées mensuellement par les analystes financiers.

Market fluctuations are scrutinized monthly by financial analysts.

High-level vocabulary like 'scrutées'.

La revue littéraire, paraissant mensuellement, offre une tribune aux nouveaux auteurs.

The literary review, appearing monthly, offers a platform to new authors.

Appositive phrase using a present participle.

Bien que les paiements s'effectuent mensuellement, le contrat est annuel.

Although payments are made monthly, the contract is annual.

Conjunction 'Bien que' with subjunctive (implied).

L'impact environnemental de l'usine est évalué mensuellement par une agence indépendante.

The environmental impact of the factory is evaluated monthly by an independent agency.

Passive voice with an agent.

Les indicateurs de performance sont ajustés mensuellement en fonction de la stratégie globale.

Performance indicators are adjusted monthly based on the global strategy.

Abstract business terminology.

Il est impératif que le rapport soit soumis mensuellement à la Commission européenne.

It is imperative that the report be submitted monthly to the European Commission.

Subjunctive mood 'soit soumis'.

La périodicité des réunions, fixée mensuellement, permet un suivi rigoureux du dossier.

The periodicity of the meetings, set monthly, allows for rigorous follow-up of the file.

Formal noun 'périodicité'.

L'obsolescence programmée est un sujet qui revient mensuellement dans les débats parlementaires.

Planned obsolescence is a subject that returns monthly in parliamentary debates.

Sophisticated social topic.

La structure de coût, ventilée mensuellement, révèle des disparités saisonnières frappantes.

The cost structure, broken down monthly, reveals striking seasonal disparities.

Technical financial term 'ventilée'.

Il est fascinant d'observer comment les rituels sociaux s'articulent mensuellement autour du calendrier civil.

It is fascinating to observe how social rituals are articulated monthly around the civil calendar.

Philosophical/Sociological observation.

Les flux migratoires sont monitorés mensuellement pour adapter les politiques d'accueil.

Migratory flows are monitored monthly to adapt reception policies.

Political/Administrative jargon.

L'œuvre de Proust, bien que monumentale, peut être abordée mensuellement par fragments choisis.

Proust's work, although monumental, can be approached monthly through selected fragments.

Literary analysis context.

La volatilité des cryptomonnaies exige que les portefeuilles soient rééquilibrés mensuellement.

The volatility of cryptocurrencies requires that portfolios be rebalanced monthly.

Modern economic context with subjunctive.

Les rapports d'audit, produits mensuellement, servent de garde-fous contre la corruption.

Audit reports, produced monthly, serve as safeguards against corruption.

Metaphorical use of 'garde-fous'.

La cadence des publications, réglée mensuellement, assure une visibilité constante à la marque.

The cadence of publications, set monthly, ensures constant visibility for the brand.

Precise vocabulary 'cadence'.

Common Collocations

payer mensuellement

facturer mensuellement

se réunir mensuellement

paraître mensuellement

évaluer mensuellement

verser mensuellement

débiter mensuellement

analyser mensuellement

renouveler mensuellement

économiser mensuellement

Common Phrases

Régler mensuellement

— To pay or settle a bill on a monthly basis.

Vous pouvez régler votre assurance mensuellement.

S'abonner mensuellement

— To subscribe to a service for a monthly fee.

Je préfère m'abonner mensuellement pour rester libre.

Rapport mensuellement dû

— A report that must be submitted every month.

Le rapport est mensuellement dû au siège social.

Vérifier mensuellement

— To perform a check or audit every month.

Il faut vérifier les niveaux d'huile mensuellement.

Calculer mensuellement

— To determine a value or cost every month.

Les intérêts sont calculés mensuellement.

Mise à jour mensuellement

— Updated on a monthly basis.

La liste est mise à jour mensuellement.

Consultation mensuellement

— A monthly consultation or appointment.

Il a une consultation mensuellement chez le dentiste.

Prélèvement mensuellement

— A monthly automatic withdrawal.

Le prélèvement s'effectue mensuellement le 10.

Publication mensuellement

— Published every month.

La publication mensuellement de ces chiffres est attendue.

Suivi mensuellement

— Followed or monitored on a monthly basis.

Le patient est suivi mensuellement par son médecin.

Often Confused With

mensuellement vs mensuel

This is the adjective. Use it before or after a noun, not after a verb.

mensuellement vs menstruel

Relates to the biological cycle, not a general calendar month.

mensuellement vs mensualité

This is the noun meaning the 'monthly payment amount'.

Idioms & Expressions

"Joindre les deux bouts mensuellement"

— To make ends meet every month.

C'est difficile de joindre les deux bouts mensuellement avec ce salaire.

neutral

"Au mois le mois"

— Living from one month to the next without savings or long-term plans.

Ils vivent au mois le mois sans s'inquiéter du futur.

informal

"La fin du mois"

— The struggle to have enough money until the next paycheck.

Les fins de mois sont difficiles pour beaucoup de Français.

neutral

"Toucher son mois"

— To receive one's monthly salary.

Il attend avec impatience de toucher son mois.

informal

"Mois de Marie"

— The month of May in the Catholic calendar.

On célèbre le mois de Marie mensuellement en mai.

religious

"Un mois de dimanches"

— An impossibly long time (similar to 'a month of Sundays').

Il me faudra un mois de dimanches pour finir ce travail.

informal

"Le mois prochain"

— Next month (standard temporal marker).

On en reparlera le mois prochain.

neutral

"Mois par mois"

— Steadily, month after month.

Le projet avance mois par mois.

neutral

"En plein mois de..."

— In the middle of the month of...

Il a neigé en plein mois de mai.

neutral

"D'ici la fin du mois"

— Between now and the end of the month.

Je dois terminer ce projet d'ici la fin du mois.

neutral

Easily Confused

mensuellement vs annuellement

Both are temporal adverbs ending in -ment.

Annuellement means once a year, while mensuellement means once a month.

Je paie mes impôts annuellement, mais mon loyer mensuellement.

mensuellement vs hebdomadairement

Both describe frequency.

Hebdomadairement means weekly.

Le journal sort hebdomadairement.

mensuellement vs quotidiennement

Both describe frequency.

Quotidiennement means daily.

Je fais du sport quotidiennement.

mensuellement vs trimestriellement

Both used in business cycles.

Trimestriellement means every three months (quarterly).

Le bilan est fait trimestriellement.

mensuellement vs actuellement

False friend for English speakers.

Actuellement means 'currently', not 'actually' or 'monthly'.

Actuellement, je travaille à Paris.

Sentence Patterns

Sujet + Verbe + mensuellement

Je paie mensuellement.

Sujet + Verbe + COD + mensuellement

Je reçois ma facture mensuellement.

Sujet + être + participe passé + mensuellement

Le loyer est réglé mensuellement.

Mensuellement, Sujet + Verbe...

Mensuellement, nous faisons le point.

Sujet + Verbe + mensuellement + complément de cause

Il économise mensuellement pour sa retraite.

Nom + participe présent + mensuellement

Une revue paraissant mensuellement.

Il faut + infinitif + mensuellement

Il faut vérifier les comptes mensuellement.

Sujet + ne + Verbe + pas + mensuellement

Il ne pleut pas mensuellement ici.

Word Family

Nouns

le mois (the month)

la mensualité (the monthly payment)

la mensualisation (the process of making something monthly)

le mensuel (the monthly magazine)

Verbs

mensualiser (to make monthly/to pay monthly)

Adjectives

mensuel (masculine monthly)

mensuelle (feminine monthly)

trimestriel (quarterly)

annuel (annual)

hebdomadaire (weekly)

quotidien (daily)

calendrier (calendar)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in written French and formal spoken French.

Common Mistakes

mensulement → mensuellement
Missing the second 'l' and the 'e' from the feminine base.
Je mensuellement paie. → Je paie mensuellement.
In French, the adverb cannot go between the subject and the verb.
C'est un mensuellement rapport. → C'est un rapport mensuel.
Using the adverb instead of the adjective to describe a noun.
Je paie par mensuellement. → Je paie mensuellement.
Redundant use of the preposition 'par' with an adverb.
mensuallement → mensuellement
Using 'a' instead of 'e' in the suffix. The suffix is always '-ment'.

Tips

The Double 'L' Rule

Always remember the double 'l'. It's derived from the feminine 'mensuelle'. If you see one 'l', it's a mistake!

Post-Verb Placement

In 90% of cases, put 'mensuellement' right after the verb. 'Je paie mensuellement' is perfect.

The '-ment' Family

Learn it alongside 'annuellement' and 'hebdomadairement' to master the whole frequency family.

Nasal Power

Focus on the 'en' sound at the end. It should sound like the 'an' in the English word 'on' but through your nose.

Workplace French

Use this word in emails to your boss about reports or meetings to sound professional.

Bank Statements

Look for this word on your French bank statements to see how much you are being charged monthly.

Magazine Subscriptions

When subscribing to a French magazine, the 'mensuellement' option is usually the most flexible.

vs 'Par Mois'

Use 'mensuellement' for the action and 'par mois' for the amount of money.

Know Your Audience

Don't use it with friends while drinking coffee; 'tous les mois' is much better there.

Mental Calendar

Associate the word with the visual of a monthly calendar page turning.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'MEN' in 'mensuellement' as 'Monthly Expenses Now'. It helps you remember it's about the monthly cycle of bills and payments.

Visual Association

Imagine a calendar page being ripped off every 30 days. On each page, the word 'mensuellement' is written in big violet letters.

Word Web

Mois Argent Calendrier Régularité Facture Abonnement Salaire Loyer

Challenge

Try to list five things you do mensuellement using full French sentences. For example: 'Je nettoie mon frigo mensuellement.'

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'mensualis', which comes from 'mensis' meaning 'month'. The suffix '-ment' was added in Middle French to create the adverbial form.

Original meaning: Pertaining to the monthly cycle or occurring every month.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be careful not to confuse it with 'menstruel' (menstrual) in medical contexts.

In the US or UK, people are often paid weekly or bi-weekly. In France, the strictly monthly pay cycle makes 'mensuellement' a much more dominant word in financial planning.

Le Mensuel (a common name for local French magazines) La mensualisation des impôts (a major French administrative reform) Chansons sur la fin du mois (many French songs discuss the struggle of the monthly cycle)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Banking

frais mensuels
prélèvement mensuel
relevé mensuel
épargner mensuellement

Housing

loyer mensuel
charges mensuelles
payer mensuellement
bail mensuel

Employment

salaire mensuel
fiche de paie
prime mensuelle
réunion mensuelle

Subscriptions

abonnement mensuel
facturé mensuellement
renouvellement mensuel
sans engagement

Health

traitement mensuel
visite mensuelle
suivi mensuellement
bilan mensuel

Conversation Starters

"Est-ce que tu préfères être payé mensuellement ou toutes les deux semaines ?"

"Quels abonnements paies-tu mensuellement en ce moment ?"

"Est-ce que tu vérifies ton budget mensuellement ?"

"Y a-t-il un magazine que tu lis mensuellement ?"

"Est-ce que ton entreprise organise des réunions mensuellement ?"

Journal Prompts

Décrivez une habitude que vous pratiquez mensuellement et pourquoi elle est importante.

Réfléchissez à l'avantage de payer ses factures mensuellement plutôt qu'annuellement.

Imaginez une société où tout le monde est payé quotidiennement au lieu de mensuellement.

Quels sont vos objectifs financiers que vous suivez mensuellement ?

Écrivez sur un magazine ou un journal que vous aimeriez recevoir mensuellement.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In formal writing and business, yes. In casual conversation, 'tous les mois' is much more common.

It comes from the Latin 'mensis' (month), just like the English 'mensal' or 'menses'.

Yes, but it is usually placed after the verb. Starting a sentence with it adds a formal emphasis.

The feminine adjective is 'mensuelle', which is why the adverb has a double 'l'.

No, the final 't' in '-ment' adverbs is always silent in French.

Yes, it refers to the calendar month cycle, roughly every 30 days.

Not a direct slang adverb, but people might say 'au mois le mois' to mean living paycheck to paycheck.

You would say 'tous les deux mois' or 'bimestriellement'.

Technically yes, but 'menstruel' is the specific term for that context.

No, adverbs in French never change their form; they are always invariable.