[vc_row][vc_column][insignia_section_heading title=”Weather terms in French you need to know” subtitle=”” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h1″ font_weight=”font-weight-600″ text_transform=”text-uppercase” heading_color=”#0168bc” sub_font_weight=”default”][vc_column_text]The weather is something that everyone has an opinion on. It also makes it a great conversation topic when you’re first learning a new language online or face-to-face. So, what are the weather terms in French you need to know ?
In general, French weather-related expressions can be divided into four main categories:
- Times when the weather does (il fait + adverb) ;
- When there is some type of weather (il y a + noun) ;
- Also, when the weather is (il + verbe) ;
- Finally, with c’est + adjective.
But don’t worry, it will all become clear soon ![/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”18833″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Table of content :
- The best terms to describe the weather in French
- French conversation questions about the weather
- Essential French weather terms
- Useful French weather expressions
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][insignia_section_heading title=”The best terms to describe the weather in French” subtitle=”” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h2″ font_weight=”font-weight-500″ heading_color=”#0168bc” sub_font_weight=”default”][vc_column_text]First of all, there are 4 different possibilities to talk about the weather in French as follows :[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Il fait / il ne fait pas + adverbe
First, for some phrases, you’re going to use the verb faire, which means to do or to make.
- Il fait beau = the weather is nice
- Il ne fait pas beau = the weather isn’t nice
- Il fait chaud = it’s hot
- Il fait froid = it’s cold
- Il fait doux = it’s mild
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Il y a / il n’y a pas + nom
Then, you can use there is followed by a noun (il y a) :
- Il y a du soleil = there’s sun
- Il n’y a pas de vent = there’s no wind
- Il y a des nuages = there are clouds
- Il y a de l’orage = there’s a storm
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Il + verbe / Il ne + verbe + pas
And a third option is also to use a verb with il (meaning it) :
- Il pleut = it rains (infinitive pleuvoir)
- Il ne pleut pas = it doesn’t rain
- Il gèle = it freezes (infinitive geler)
- Il a neigé = it snowed (infinitive neiger)
- Il grêlera = it will hail (infinitive grêler)
You conjugate the verb depending if you are talking about the past, the present or the futur.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
C’est / ce n’est pas + adjective
Finally, talking about the weather can be done with adjectives :
- C’est ensoleillé = it’s sunny
- Ce n’est pas nuageux = it’s not cloudy
- C’est venteux = it’s windy
- C’est enneigé = it’s snowy
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”18834″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][insignia_section_heading title=”French conversation questions about the weather” subtitle=”” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h2″ font_weight=”font-weight-500″ heading_color=”#0168bc” sub_font_weight=”default”][vc_column_text]In addition, discussing the weather in French is the ultimate icebreaker ! Here are some questions you may ask to engage a conversation with locals in France :
- Quel temps fait-il aujourd’hui ? = What’s the weather like today ?
- Quelle est la température dehors ? = What’s the temperature outside ?
- Combien de degrés fait-il ? = How many degrees is it ?
- Vous pensez qu’il va pleuvoir ce week-end ? = Do you think it’s going to rain this week-end?
- Quelles sont les prévisions pour demain ? = What’s the weather forecast for tomorrow ?
- Est-ce que vous n’avez pas trop froid / trop chaud ? = Are you not too cold / too hot ?
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”18835″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][insignia_section_heading title=”Essential French weather terms” subtitle=”” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h2″ font_weight=”font-weight-500″ heading_color=”#0168bc” sub_font_weight=”default”][vc_column_text]To talk about the weather in French, we can use la météo or le temps.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Common nouns in French about the weather
- L’arc-en-ciel = the rainbow (m)
- L’averse = the shower (f)
- Le brouillard = the fog (m)
- La canicule = the heatwave (f)
- La chaleur = the heat (f)
- L’éclair = the lightning (m)
- L’orage = the thunderstorm (m)
- La grêle = the hail (f)
- La neige = the snow (f)
- Le nuage = the cloud (m)
- La pluie = the rain (f)
- Le soleil = the sun (m)
- La tempête = the storm (f)
- Le vent = the wind (m)
- Le verglas = the ice storm (m)
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Essential French weather-related verbs
- Augmenter = to increase
- Baisser / diminuer = to decrease
- Briller = to shine
- Eclater = to break / to burst
- Frissonner = to shiver
- Neiger = to snow
- Pleuvoir = to rain
- Souffler / venter = to blow
- Transpirer = to sweat
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Main adjectives used to describe the weather in French
- Enneigé (m) / enneigée (f) = snowy
- Ensoleillé / ensoleillée = sunny
- Humide / humide = wet
- Nuageux / nuageuse = cloudy
- Orageux / orageuse = stormy
- Sec / sèche = dry
- Venteux / venteuse = windy
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]At last, to get a better idea about the French weather forecast, feel to check Meteo France.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”18836″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][insignia_section_heading title=”Useful French weather expressions” subtitle=”” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h2″ font_weight=”font-weight-500″ heading_color=”#0168bc” sub_font_weight=”default”][vc_column_text]Lastly, as we’ve seen with food and colours, we’ve got some pretty idioms in French concerning the weather.
Here are a few exciting French weather expressions :
- Il fait un froid de canard = it’s freezing
- Il pleut des cordes = it’s pouring (it’s raining cats and dogs)
- Il fait un temps de chien = it’s a bad weather
- Il fait une chaleur à crever = it’s hot as hell
- Il fait un soleil de plomb = it’s a blazing sun (the sun is as heavy as lead)
- Ça tape (fam.) = The heat is very strong (it hits you)
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”18837″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Would you like to feel more confident with speaking in French ? Do you want to learn additional vocabulary and French expressions ? Feel free to reach out today and let me know how I can assist you. French classes are available for all levels.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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