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A2 noun 10 min de leitura

la température

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas la température em 30 segundos

Explicação la température in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'la température' is introduced as a basic vocabulary word related to weather and health. You learn to recognize it in weather forecasts and simple medical situations. At this stage, focus on the gender (feminine: 'la') and how it links to numbers. You will use it to say things like 'La température est de vingt degrés.' You should also learn the basic question 'Quelle est la température ?' though you will more often hear 'Il fait combien ?'. It's important to start associating the word with Celsius, as that is what you will encounter in any French-speaking country. You might also see it on a simple thermometer. The primary goal at A1 is to understand that this word refers to how hot or cold it is, and to be able to use it with basic numbers and the verb 'être' or 'faire'. Don't worry about complex idioms yet; just focus on the physical measurement of the air or your body. If you feel sick, you might say 'J'ai de la température' to a teacher or a doctor, which is a very useful survival phrase. You will also see this word in basic science lessons or children's books explaining the seasons. Remember, it's a long word, so practice the pronunciation carefully, especially the 'u' sound at the end which can be tricky for English speakers. It is one of those 'transparent' words because it looks like the English word, making it easy to remember but also easy to mispronounce with an English accent.

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At the A2 level, you move beyond simple identification and start using 'la température' in more varied contexts. You will learn to describe changes in temperature using verbs like 'monter' (to go up) and 'baisser' (to go down). You'll be able to talk about your preferences, such as 'J'aime quand la température est douce' (I like it when the temperature is mild). In the kitchen, you'll start following basic recipes that mention 'la température du four' or 'cuire à basse température'. You will also become more familiar with the partitive construction 'avoir de la température' when discussing illness in more detail. You can now use adjectives to describe the temperature more precisely: 'élevée' (high), 'basse' (low), 'agréable' (pleasant), or 'glaciale' (freezing). You should also be able to understand short weather reports that discuss 'les températures minimales' and 'les températures maximales'. This level is about building the connective tissue around the word—knowing which verbs and adjectives naturally belong with it. You might also start to see it in simple news articles about the environment. The focus is on practical, everyday communication: checking the oven, talking to a doctor about a child's fever, or deciding what to wear based on the morning's weather report. You should also be aware of the difference between 'la température' and 'le temps', ensuring you don't say 'la température est pluvieuse' (the temperature is rainy), which is a common mistake at this stage.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'la température' in more complex discussions, such as those involving the environment, technology, or health in a more nuanced way. You will encounter the word in discussions about 'le réchauffement climatique' (global warming) and 'l'effet de serre' (the greenhouse effect). You should be able to explain how temperature affects different things, using structures like 'Si la température augmente, la glace fond' (If the temperature increases, the ice melts). You will also learn more technical terms like 'température ambiante' (room temperature) and 'température ressentie' (perceived temperature). In a professional or academic setting, you might describe a graph showing 'les variations de température'. You will also start to use the word metaphorically, such as 'prendre la température d'une situation' (to gauge a situation). Your vocabulary will expand to include related terms like 'thermique', 'thermostat', and 'climatisation'. You can now participate in debates about energy saving, discussing 'la température idéale' for heating a home. You'll also be more comfortable with medical nuances, distinguishing between 'une légère température' and 'une forte fièvre'. At B1, your use of the word becomes more precise and your ability to understand it in varied media—podcasts, news reports, and instruction manuals—increases significantly. You are moving from survival French to being able to express opinions and describe processes involving heat and cold.

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At the B2 level, you should have a sophisticated command of 'la température' and its various applications. You can use it in abstract and figurative ways with ease. For instance, you might describe a political climate by saying 'La température politique monte à l'approche des élections' (The political temperature is rising as the elections approach). You will understand and use more advanced collocations like 'température de fusion' (melting point) or 'température d'ébullition' (boiling point) in scientific discussions. You can follow complex documentaries about ecology where 'l'inertie thermique' or 'les anomalies de température' are discussed. In literature, you might analyze how a writer uses 'la température' to set a mood or reflect a character's internal state. You are also expected to handle the word in formal writing, such as a report on workplace safety or an essay on environmental policy. Your pronunciation should be near-native, and you should be able to distinguish between subtle synonyms like 'tiédeur', 'chaleur', and 'canicule' when discussing temperature ranges. You understand the cultural significance of temperature in France, such as the strict regulations on heating in public buildings or the cultural importance of 'température de service' for wines and cheeses. At this level, the word is no longer just a measurement; it is a tool for detailed description, scientific explanation, and metaphorical expression.

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At the C1 level, 'la température' is used with total spontaneity and precision. You can navigate technical documents in physics, biology, or engineering where temperature is a critical variable. You understand the nuances of 'température thermodynamique' vs 'température cinétique'. In professional contexts, you might lead a meeting about 'la régulation thermique' in a new construction project. Your metaphorical use of the word is natural and varied; you might 'prendre la température' of a market or a negotiation without a second thought. You are also aware of the historical etymology of the word, stemming from the Latin 'temperatura' (a mixing in due proportion), and how this relates to the old medical theory of 'humors' and 'temperament'. This deep understanding allows you to appreciate puns or literary references that play on these double meanings. You can write long, complex articles about the 'crise climatique' using a wide array of temperature-related vocabulary to avoid repetition and add depth. You are also comfortable with the word in very informal slang or regional variations if they exist. Your comprehension of the word in fast-paced, multi-speaker environments—like a heated debate on a French talk show—is perfect. You can pick up on the speaker's tone when they use temperature as a metaphor for passion, anger, or indifference.

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At the C2 level, you possess a native-like mastery of 'la température' in all its forms. You can use the word in the most specialized academic or scientific discourses, perhaps even contributing to research written in French where 'gradients de température' or 'fluctuations quantiques de température' are central themes. You have an intuitive grasp of the word's placement in high-level literature, recognizing when an author uses it to evoke a specific sensory experience or philosophical concept. You can play with the language, creating your own metaphors or using the word in wordplay that requires a deep cultural and linguistic background. Your understanding of the word is integrated into a vast web of related concepts—from thermodynamics to sociology to gastronomy. You could explain the historical development of the Celsius scale in France or discuss the impact of 'la température' on the aging process of fine Bordeaux wines with the same ease as a native expert. There is no context—be it a legal contract, a scientific paper, a classic novel, or a fast-talking street conversation—where you would struggle to understand or use 'la température' correctly. You are effectively a master of the word's denotations, connotations, and cultural weight, using it as a precision instrument to convey exactly what you mean in any situation.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

la température em 30 segundos

A feminine noun meaning temperature, used for weather, health, and science.
Commonly paired with verbs like 'prendre' (take) and 'faire' (be/make for weather).
In health, 'avoir de la température' specifically means having a fever.
France uses the Celsius scale, where 0 is freezing and 100 is boiling.

The French word la température is a fundamental noun that English speakers will find very familiar, yet it carries specific nuances in French that are essential for achieving fluency. At its core, it refers to the degree of heat or cold in an environment, an object, or a living body. In everyday life, you will encounter this word most frequently in two primary contexts: the weather and health. When discussing the weather, French speakers use la température to describe the atmospheric conditions, often in the plural when referring to general seasonal trends or in the singular when asking about the specific reading of the day. However, a crucial distinction exists between English and French regarding health. While an English speaker might say "I have a temperature" to mean they have a fever, a French speaker says avoir de la température to specifically denote a feverish state. Without the partitive article 'de la', the meaning shifts back to the general physical property.

Meteorological Context: Used to describe the external climate. For example, 'La température baisse ce soir' indicates a cooling of the air. It is the standard term used by meteorologists on news programs and weather apps.
Medical Context: Refers to body heat. 'Prendre la température' is the act of using a thermometer. If a child is warm, a parent might say 'Il a un peu de température,' implying a mild fever.

Regarde le thermomètre, la température est montée à trente degrés aujourd'hui.

Beyond these common uses, the word extends into the scientific and culinary realms. In a laboratory, precise control of la température is vital for chemical reactions. In the kitchen, recipes will specify the 'température du four' (oven temperature) or advise you to let meat reach 'température ambiante' (room temperature) before cooking. This versatility makes it one of the most useful nouns in the French language. It is important to note that the word is feminine, requiring feminine adjectives and articles. You will hear it in formal reports about global warming, where 'l'augmentation de la température mondiale' is a frequent topic of discussion. Understanding this word is not just about knowing a translation; it is about recognizing the physical sensations of heat and cold and how French culture categorizes those sensations through language.

La viande doit être cuite à une température constante pour rester tendre.

Scientific Precision: In physics, it represents the average kinetic energy of particles. Terms like 'température absolue' are used in thermodynamic contexts.

Using la température correctly involves mastering several common verb pairings and prepositional structures. The most frequent verb associated with this noun is prendre. When you want to check if someone is sick, you say 'prendre la température'. For example, 'L'infirmière prend la température du patient'. Notice that we use the definite article 'la' here. Another common verb is faire, which is used specifically for weather. When you ask 'Il fait quelle température ?', you are asking for the current outdoor reading. This is a very colloquial and natural way to speak. If you want to describe the movement of temperature, you use monter (to rise) or baisser / chuter (to drop). 'La température monte' means it is getting warmer, while 'la température chute' suggests a sudden, dramatic cold snap.

Adjective Agreement: Since 'température' is feminine, adjectives must agree. We say 'une température élevée' (a high temperature) or 'une température basse' (a low temperature). Never use 'haut' for temperature; always use 'élevée'.

Il est conseillé de maintenir une température de dix-neuf degrés dans les chambres.

Prepositions also play a vital role. When expressing that something is happening at a certain heat level, use 'à'. For instance, 'L'eau bout à une température de cent degrés' (Water boils at a temperature of 100 degrees). If you are talking about the temperature inside a room, you might say 'la température intérieure'. If you are referring to the feeling of the air, you might use 'la température ressentie' (the perceived temperature or wind chill/heat index). This distinction is very common in modern weather forecasting in France. Furthermore, when using the word to mean 'fever', the construction 'avoir de la température' is idiomatic. You wouldn't say 'J'ai une température' in the same way you say 'I have a temperature' in English. The partitive 'de la' is essential here to convey the idea of 'some fever'.

Malgré la température glaciale, les enfants voulaient jouer dehors.

Verbs of Change: 'Maintenir' (to maintain), 'Régler' (to adjust/set), and 'Atteindre' (to reach) are frequently used in technical or household contexts regarding thermostats.

In France and other French-speaking regions, la température is a word that permeates daily conversation and media. The most ubiquitous place you will hear it is during the 'Météo' (weather forecast) on television or radio. News anchors will discuss 'les températures saisonnières' (seasonal temperatures) or warn of 'une hausse des températures' (a rise in temperatures) during a 'canicule' (heatwave). In these contexts, the word is often pluralized to refer to the range of temperatures across the country. You will also hear it frequently in pharmacies and doctors' offices. A pharmacist might ask, 'Avez-vous pris sa température ?' when you are buying medicine for a sick child. In this medical setting, the word is synonymous with checking for a fever, and the tone is clinical yet caring.

Bienvenue sur TF1, voici les températures pour demain après-midi.

Another common arena is the workplace, specifically in offices where the 'guerre du thermostat' (thermostat war) takes place. Colleagues might complain, 'La température est trop basse dans ce bureau !' (The temperature is too low in this office!). In the culinary world, French chefs and home cooks alike are obsessed with precision. You will hear it in cooking shows like 'Top Chef' where contestants discuss the 'température à cœur' (internal temperature) of a piece of meat. Even in casual settings, like a café, someone might comment on the 'température du café' if it's too hot to drink. Furthermore, in the context of climate change—a major topic in French public discourse—you will hear 'le réchauffement climatique' linked to 'l'augmentation de la température moyenne de la planète'.

Public Transport: On the Metro or trains, announcements might mention 'la température à bord' to explain why air conditioning is being adjusted during peak hours.

Veuillez vérifier la température de l'eau avant de baigner le bébé.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with la température is confusing it with other weather-related terms. For example, learners often say 'La température est mauvaise' when they mean the weather is bad. In French, temperature is a measurement, not the weather itself. You should say 'Le temps est mauvais' or 'Il fait mauvais'. Another common pitfall is the confusion with the word tempête (storm). Because they share the same prefix 'temp-', beginners sometimes accidentally say 'Il y a une grosse température dehors' when they mean 'There is a big storm outside'. Always remember: température is about degrees, tempête is about wind and rain. Additionally, the gender of the word is often forgotten; it is la température (feminine), never le température.

The 'Fever' Confusion: In English, 'I have a temperature' is idiomatic for 'I have a fever'. In French, saying 'J'ai une température' sounds incomplete or strange. You must say 'J'ai de la température' (partitive) or, more commonly, 'J'ai de la fièvre'.

Incorrect: Le température est chaud.
Correct: La température est élevée.

Another subtle mistake involves the adjectives used to describe it. In English, we might say a 'high' or 'low' temperature. While 'basse' (low) works perfectly in French, 'haute' is less common than 'élevée' when describing temperature in a general sense. While 'une haute température' is technically correct in certain scientific contexts, 'une température élevée' is the standard, more natural choice for learners. Furthermore, be careful with the verb faire. English speakers often say 'La température fait 20 degrés', which is a literal translation of 'The temperature is making/doing 20 degrees'. While understandable, it's better to say 'Il fait 20 degrés' or 'La température est de 20 degrés'. Using the wrong preposition ('à' vs 'de') can also lead to awkward phrasing.

Ne confondez pas la température (les degrés) avec la météo (le soleil, la pluie).

While la température is the most general term, French offers several alternatives depending on the context. If you are talking about the specific reading on a scale, you might simply use les degrés. For example, 'Il fait 25 degrés' is more common in casual speech than 'La température est de 25 degrés'. If you are referring to the general feeling of heat, la chaleur (the heat) is the appropriate word. Conversely, if it is cold, you would use le froid. These words describe the sensation rather than the measurement. In a medical context, la fièvre is the most direct way to say 'fever'. While 'avoir de la température' is common, 'avoir de la fièvre' is more precise and frequently used by doctors.

Température vs. Météo: Température: The numerical value (e.g., 20°C).
Météo: The overall weather conditions (sun, clouds, rain).
Température vs. Climat: Température: Current state.
Climat: Long-term patterns in a specific region.

Le médecin a dit que ma fièvre était tombée, mais ma température reste instable.

In more literary or formal contexts, you might encounter la thermométrie (the science of measuring temperature) or adjectives like thermique. For instance, 'l'isolation thermique' refers to heat insulation in a house. When describing the atmosphere of a room or a social situation, you might use 'l'ambiance', but if you want to use a temperature metaphor, you can say 'prendre la température de la salle', which means to gauge the mood of a crowd. This is identical to the English idiom 'to take the temperature of the room'. Finally, in cooking, 'le thermostat' is often used as a shorthand for temperature settings on French ovens (e.g., 'Thermostat 6' equals 180°C). Knowing these alternatives allows you to be more precise and sound more like a native speaker.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The word is related to 'temperament' because ancient doctors believed our personality was determined by the 'temperature' (mixture) of our bodily fluids.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /tɑ̃.pe.ʁa.tyʁ/

US /tɑ̃.pe.ʁa.tjuːr/

The stress in French is generally on the final syllable of the word or phrase: tem-pé-ra-TURE.

Rima com

nature culture aventure écriture voiture peinture ceinture figure structure

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the final 'e' (it's silent).
Using the English 'u' sound instead of the French 'u' (rounded lips).
Failing to nasalize the 'em' part.
Pronouncing the 'r' as an English 'r' instead of a French uvular 'r'.
Adding a 'ch' sound to the 't' (like 'temperature' in English).

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 1/5

Very easy to recognize due to the English cognate.

Escrita 2/5

Requires remembering the accents and the feminine gender.

Expressão oral 3/5

The 'u' sound and the nasal 'em' can be challenging for beginners.

Audição 2/5

Clear pronunciation in media, but fast speech can blur the syllables.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

chaud froid le temps degré faire

Aprenda a seguir

la météo la fièvre le climat le thermomètre canicule

Avançado

thermodynamique convection rayonnement homéostasie gradient

Gramática essencial

Feminine gender for nouns ending in -ure.

La voiture, la culture, la température.

Using 'faire' for weather expressions.

Il fait chaud, il fait 20 degrés.

The partitive article 'de la' with abstract nouns used to mean 'some'.

Avoir de la température (some fever).

Adjective agreement with feminine nouns.

Une température élevée.

Preposition 'à' for specific settings or points.

Cuire à haute température.

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Exemplos por nível

La température est de vingt degrés.

The temperature is twenty degrees.

Uses 'être de' to state a measurement.

Il regarde la température sur son téléphone.

He looks at the temperature on his phone.

Direct object with the definite article 'la'.

Quelle est la température aujourd'hui ?

What is the temperature today?

Standard interrogative sentence.

La température baisse le soir.

The temperature goes down in the evening.

Present tense of the verb 'baisser'.

J'ai un peu de température.

I have a bit of a temperature (fever).

Idiomatic use of 'de la' for fever.

La température de l'eau est bonne.

The water temperature is good.

Possessive 'de l'' structure.

Il fait une température agréable.

It is a pleasant temperature.

Using 'faire' to describe weather conditions.

Maman prend la température de l'enfant.

Mom takes the child's temperature.

Verb 'prendre' + 'la température'.

La température monte vite en été.

The temperature rises quickly in summer.

Use of the adverb 'vite' with 'monte'.

Réglez la température du four à 180 degrés.

Set the oven temperature to 180 degrees.

Imperative mood 'Réglez'.

Il y a une grande différence de température entre le jour et la nuit.

There is a big difference in temperature between day and night.

Noun phrase 'différence de température'.

La température moyenne en hiver est de cinq degrés.

The average temperature in winter is five degrees.

Adjective 'moyenne' agreeing with 'température'.

Vérifiez la température avant de servir le vin.

Check the temperature before serving the wine.

Conjunction 'avant de' + infinitive.

La température est trop basse pour nager.

The temperature is too low to swim.

Adverb 'trop' modifying the adjective 'basse'.

Le médecin dit qu'il n'a plus de température.

The doctor says he no longer has a temperature (fever).

Negative 'plus de' with the partitive concept.

Nous avons eu des températures record cette année.

We had record temperatures this year.

Plural 'températures' used for a range/series.

Le réchauffement climatique entraîne une hausse de la température mondiale.

Global warming leads to a rise in global temperature.

Abstract environmental context.

Il faut conserver ce médicament à température ambiante.

This medicine must be kept at room temperature.

Fixed phrase 'à température ambiante'.

La température ressentie est bien plus basse à cause du vent.

The perceived temperature is much lower because of the wind.

Concept of 'température ressentie' (wind chill).

Le thermostat permet de maintenir une température constante.

The thermostat allows for maintaining a constant temperature.

Verb 'maintenir' with 'température'.

Je vais prendre la température de la réunion avant de parler.

I'm going to gauge the mood of the meeting before speaking.

Metaphorical use (gauging the mood).

L'eau change d'état selon la température.

Water changes state depending on the temperature.

Prepositional phrase 'selon la'.

Les scientifiques surveillent la température des océans.

Scientists are monitoring the temperature of the oceans.

Verb 'surveiller' (to monitor).

La température idéale pour dormir se situe entre 16 et 18 degrés.

The ideal temperature for sleeping is between 16 and 18 degrees.

Pronominal verb 'se situer'.

La température de fusion du fer est extrêmement élevée.

The melting point of iron is extremely high.

Technical term 'température de fusion'.

La température diplomatique est montée d'un cran après le discours.

The diplomatic temperature rose a notch after the speech.

Figurative use in a political context.

Le vin a atteint sa température de service optimale.

The wine has reached its optimal serving temperature.

Adjective 'optimale' and noun 'service'.

Il est difficile de réguler la température dans les vieux bâtiments.

It is difficult to regulate the temperature in old buildings.

Infinitive 'réguler'.

Les variations brutales de température peuvent endommager les plantes.

Sudden temperature variations can damage plants.

Plural 'variations' and 'température'.

On mesure la température en Kelvin dans les laboratoires de physique.

Temperature is measured in Kelvin in physics labs.

Scientific measurement context.

Le patient présente une température instable depuis hier.

The patient has had an unstable temperature since yesterday.

Clinical adjective 'instable'.

La température à l'intérieur de la serre est contrôlée par ordinateur.

The temperature inside the greenhouse is computer-controlled.

Passive voice 'est contrôlée'.

La température de Curie est le point où un matériau perd son aimantation.

The Curie temperature is the point where a material loses its magnetization.

Specific scientific terminology.

L'auteur utilise la température étouffante pour symboliser la tension entre les personnages.

The author uses the stifling temperature to symbolize the tension between the characters.

Literary analysis context.

Il s'agit de prendre la température de l'opinion publique avant le référendum.

It's about gauging public opinion before the referendum.

Advanced metaphorical expression.

L'inertie thermique permet de lisser les pics de température.

Thermal inertia allows for smoothing out temperature peaks.

Engineering/Architectural vocabulary.

La température de couleur d'une ampoule influence l'ambiance d'une pièce.

The color temperature of a bulb influences the mood of a room.

Photography/Interior design term.

On observe une corrélation entre la température et la productivité des employés.

A correlation is observed between temperature and employee productivity.

Academic/Sociological context.

La température de stockage doit être rigoureusement maintenue pour éviter toute dégradation.

The storage temperature must be rigorously maintained to avoid any degradation.

Formal adverb 'rigoureusement'.

Le moteur a surchauffé car la température de l'huile était trop élevée.

The engine overheated because the oil temperature was too high.

Mechanical cause-and-effect.

L'étude du rayonnement du corps noir a révolutionné notre compréhension de la température.

The study of black-body radiation revolutionized our understanding of temperature.

High-level scientific history.

La température s'est avérée être le catalyseur de cette réaction chimique complexe.

The temperature proved to be the catalyst for this complex chemical reaction.

Formal pronominal verb 's'avérer'.

Il faut savoir moduler la température de son discours selon l'auditoire.

One must know how to modulate the tone (temperature) of one's speech according to the audience.

Highly abstract/rhetorical use.

Le zéro absolu est la température théorique la plus basse possible.

Absolute zero is the lowest possible theoretical temperature.

Definition of a fundamental physical limit.

La température ambiante régnant dans la salle d'audience était glaciale.

The prevailing ambient temperature in the courtroom was freezing (literally and figuratively).

Participial phrase 'régnant dans'.

Les fluctuations millénaires de la température terrestre sont inscrites dans les carottes de glace.

Millennial fluctuations in Earth's temperature are recorded in ice cores.

Geological/Paleoclimatological context.

La température de la passion s'est peu à peu refroidie dans leur couple.

The heat of passion gradually cooled in their relationship.

Poetic/Metaphorical use.

Maintenir la température de l'azote liquide requiert une infrastructure sophistiquée.

Maintaining the temperature of liquid nitrogen requires sophisticated infrastructure.

Technical/Industrial management.

Colocações comuns

prendre la température

température ambiante

température élevée

température basse

température ressentie

température moyenne

chute de température

température du four

température corporelle

variations de température

Frases Comuns

Il fait quelle température ?

— What's the temperature outside? Used in casual daily conversation.

Il fait quelle température à Paris aujourd'hui ?

Avoir de la température

— To have a fever. Very common idiomatic expression.

Je ne me sens pas bien, je crois que j'ai de la température.

À température

— At the right temperature (often for wine or food).

Le vin rouge doit être servi à température.

Sous une température de...

— In a temperature of... (describing conditions).

Ils ont travaillé sous une température de 40 degrés.

La température monte

— Things are getting heated (literally or figuratively).

La température monte entre les deux candidats.

Baisse de température

— A cooling down of the weather or a situation.

Il y a une légère baisse de température ce soir.

Température de confort

— The ideal temperature for a living space.

19 degrés est la température de confort recommandée.

Prendre sa température

— To check if one has a fever.

Va prendre ta température si tu as mal à la tête.

Température record

— An all-time high or low temperature.

Nous avons atteint une température record hier.

Régulateur de température

— A device or mechanism that controls heat.

Le régulateur de température est cassé.

Frequentemente confundido com

la température vs le temps

Le temps is the overall weather; température is just the degrees.

la température vs la tempête

A tempête is a storm with wind/rain; don't use it for heat.

la température vs le climat

Climat is long-term; température is current.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Prendre la température de la salle"

— To gauge the mood or reaction of an audience before acting.

Avant de faire mon annonce, je vais prendre la température de la salle.

metaphorical

"La température monte d'un cran"

— The level of tension or excitement increases significantly.

Pendant le match, la température est montée d'un cran.

informal

"Être à température"

— To be ready or properly adjusted (often for people's readiness).

L'équipe est enfin à température pour le projet.

colloquial

"Garder sa température"

— To remain calm or maintain one's composure (rare, but used).

Il a su garder sa température malgré les insultes.

literary

"Une température de sénateur"

— A very mild, comfortable, and stable climate/pace.

On avance à une température de sénateur.

old-fashioned

"Refroidir la température"

— To calm a tense situation or dampen enthusiasm.

Son commentaire a refroidi la température de la discussion.

metaphorical

"Faire monter la température"

— To intentionally provoke excitement, anger, or passion.

Le DJ a fait monter la température sur la piste de danse.

informal

"Prendre la température du marché"

— To test or research the current economic or business climate.

L'entreprise prend la température du marché avant de lancer le produit.

business

"Température glaciale"

— Used to describe a very unfriendly or hostile social atmosphere.

Il régnait une température glaciale lors du dîner.

metaphorical

"Avoir le thermomètre dans le derrière"

— To be overly obsessed with small details or health (very vulgar/slang).

Arrête de te plaindre, tu as toujours le thermomètre dans le derrière.

slang

Fácil de confundir

la température vs Tempête

Similar prefix 'temp-'.

Tempête means storm, involving wind and rain. Température is a numerical measurement of heat.

La tempête a cassé les arbres, mais la température est restée douce.

la température vs Météo

Both relate to the outside conditions.

Météo is the forecast or the weather in general. Température is specifically the degrees.

Je regarde la météo pour connaître la température.

la température vs Chaleur

Both relate to heat.

Chaleur is the sensation of heat. Température is the scientific measurement.

La chaleur est forte car la température est de 40 degrés.

la température vs Fièvre

Both used for illness.

Fièvre is the specific medical condition. Température is a general term often used idiomatically for fever.

Il a de la fièvre, sa température est de 39.

la température vs Humeur

Historical connection to 'temperament'.

Humeur is mood. While you can 'take the temperature' of a mood, they are distinct nouns.

Son humeur change avec la température.

Padrões de frases

La température est de [X] degrés.

La température est de dix degrés.

Il fait une température [adjectif].

Il fait une température agréable.

Maintenir la température à [X].

Maintenir la température à vingt degrés.

Une hausse/baisse de la température.

On observe une hausse de la température.

Prendre la température de [contexte].

Il faut prendre la température du projet.

S'avérer être la température [X].

Cela s'est avéré être la température critique.

J'ai de la température.

Je ne vais pas à l'école, j'ai de la température.

La température monte/baisse.

La température monte cet après-midi.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

tempérament

tempérance

tempête

thermomètre

Verbos

tempérer

tempêter

Adjetivos

tempéré

tempétueux

thermique

Relacionado

degré

Celsius

Kelvin

chaleur

froid

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Como usar

frequency

Extremely high in daily life and media.

Erros comuns

Le température est chaud. → La température est élevée.
Température is feminine, and we use 'élevée' for measurements, not 'chaud' (which describes the sensation).
J'ai une température. → J'ai de la température.
In French, we use the partitive 'de la' to indicate having a fever.
La température est pluvieuse. → Le temps est pluvieux.
Temperature refers only to heat/cold, not to rain or clouds.
Il y a une grosse température dehors. → Il y a une grosse tempête dehors.
Confusion between temperature and storm (tempête).
La température fait 20 degrés. → La température est de 20 degrés.
Use 'être de' for measurements when the noun is the subject.

Dicas

Gender Memory

Remember that nouns ending in '-ure' are almost always feminine. Think of 'la voiture' or 'la nature' to help you remember 'la température'.

The Silent E

Don't pronounce the final 'e'. The word should end on the 'r' sound, followed by a very short, almost unheard breath.

Fever Distinction

Use 'avoir de la température' for a mild fever and 'avoir de la fièvre' for a more serious one. It adds nuance to your speaking.

Celsius Scale

Learn a few benchmarks: 0°C is freezing, 20°C is room temp, 30°C is a hot day, and 37°C is body temp.

Weather Verbs

When the temperature is the subject, use 'être'. When 'il' is the subject, use 'faire'. Example: 'La température est basse' vs 'Il fait froid'.

Spelling Accents

Always include the acute accent on the second 'e' (pé). It changes the sound from a neutral 'e' to a clear 'ay' sound.

Weather Reports

In weather reports, 'les températures' is usually plural because they are giving a range for the whole day or country.

Asking Questions

In casual French, use 'Il fait combien ?' instead of the long 'Quelle est la température ?' to sound more like a native.

Social Gauging

Use 'prendre la température' in business meetings to show you are checking the mood of the team.

Technical Use

In scientific writing, specify the scale (Celsius, Kelvin) to be precise, as 'température' alone can be ambiguous.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of a 'Temper' rising. When your temper rises, you get hot. 'Température' measures that heat.

Associação visual

Imagine a tall thermometer where the red liquid is shaped like the Eiffel Tower, showing the French context.

Word Web

degré météo fièvre thermomètre Celsius chaleur froid climat

Desafio

Try to check the weather in a French city every morning for a week and say the temperature aloud in French.

Origem da palavra

Derived from the Latin 'temperatura', which refers to a 'mixing' or 'tempering' in proper proportions.

Significado original: Originally referred to the mixing of elements or 'humors' in the body, which determined health and personality.

Romance (Latin root)

Contexto cultural

No major sensitivities, but be careful using 'température' as a metaphor for people's physical appearance (it can be objectifying).

English speakers use 'temperature' for fever ('I have a temperature'), whereas French speakers prefer 'avoir de la fièvre' or the specific partitive 'avoir de la température'.

Le film '37°2 le matin' (Betty Blue) refers to the normal body temperature of a pregnant woman. The song 'Température' by various artists often uses the word as a metaphor for passion. Scientific works by Blaise Pascal often touch upon the measurement of physical properties like temperature.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

At the doctor's office

J'ai de la température.
Prenez sa température.
La température a baissé.
Il n'a plus de température.

Checking the weather

Quelle température fait-il ?
La température va monter.
C'est une température record.
Les températures sont clémentes.

Cooking a meal

À quelle température ?
Température du four.
Laisser à température ambiante.
Vérifier la température à cœur.

In a science lab

Mesurer la température.
Température constante.
Point de fusion.
Échelle de température.

Discussing climate change

Hausse des températures.
Température globale.
Anomalie de température.
Seuil de température.

Iniciadores de conversa

"Quelle est ta température préférée pour les vacances ?"

"Tu penses qu'il fait quelle température dehors en ce moment ?"

"Est-ce que tu prends souvent ta température quand tu es fatigué ?"

"Quelle température fait-il dans ta ville natale en hiver ?"

"Préfères-tu la température de la mer ou d'une piscine chauffée ?"

Temas para diário

Décrivez une journée où la température était parfaite pour vous. Que faisiez-vous ?

Comment la température influence-t-elle votre moral et votre productivité au quotidien ?

Racontez une expérience où vous avez dû faire face à une température extrême (très chaud ou très froid).

Pensez-vous que nous faisons assez pour limiter l'augmentation de la température mondiale ?

Quelle est la température idéale pour votre maison et pourquoi ?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

No, it only means fever in the context of health, specifically in the phrase 'avoir de la température'. In other contexts, it refers to weather or physical heat.

It is always feminine: 'la température'. All associated adjectives must be feminine too, like 'basse' or 'élevée'.

France, like most of the world, uses the metric system and the Celsius scale for all official and daily measurements.

You can say 'Il fait quelle température ?' or 'Quelle est la température dehors ?'. The first one is more common.

Yes, but 'température élevée' is much more natural and common in standard French.

It is the 'feels like' temperature, which takes wind and humidity into account.

Yes, very often. 'Température ambiante' is room temperature, and 'température à cœur' is the internal temperature of meat.

Température is the current state; climat is the average of temperatures and conditions over many years.

Yes, you can 'prendre la température' of a room or a situation to see how people feel.

It is a neutral word used in both formal (science, news) and informal (health, weather) contexts.

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