Christmas

The French word for Christmas is “Noël.” It is a masculine noun, but you don’t have to use the article “le” before it, in most situations.

“Christmas time” is “la période de Noël.” If you want to say “at Christmas,” it is simply “à Noël.”

To wish someone “Merry Christmas,” you say (or write) “Joyeux Noël !”

“Christmas” used before a noun (in English) is “de Noël.” So a Christmas present is “un cadeau de Noël.” A Christmas cake is “un gâteau de Noël.” A Christmas carol is “un chant de Noël.” A Christmas decoration is “une décoration de Noël.” Christmas holidays are “les vacances de Noël.” Christmas lights are “des illuminations de Noël.” A Christmas tree is “un sapin de Noël,” “un sapin,” or “un arbre de Noël.” “Un sapin de Noël” is the most common term and means “a fir tree of Christmas.” A Christmas stocking is “une chaussette de Noël” (literally “a sock of Christmas”). Christmas Day can either be “le jour de Noël” or just “Noël.” Christmas Eve can be said in one of two ways: either “le réveillon (de Noël)” or “la veille de Noël.” A Christmas wreath is “une couronne de Noël” (literally “a crown of Christmas”).

However, a Christmas cracker is “une papillote surprise.” And a Christmas card is “une carte de vœux” (literally, a card of wishes). While the Christmas story is “l’histoire de la nativité (du Christ).”

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • -eur masculine nouns

    French nouns ending in eur often come from English words ending in er or or. This happens when the words are for jobs, machines, or people who do something. French takes the English word and changes the ending to match its own way of spelling and saying things. The gender is almost always masculine. Here…

  • métier

    The French words un métier and une métier have identical spellings, but one is masculine and the other is feminine. Each word has a different meaning. Un métier: A Profession or Trade The masculine noun un métier refers to a job, profession, or trade. Usage Examples: This word is derived from the Old French “mestier,”…

  • verlan

    Verlan is a form of French slang created by inverting syllables within words. The term verlan itself comes from l’envers (“the reverse”), reversed phonetically. It’s like changing “flipside” to “sideflip.” Verlan is mostly used in informal spoken French, often to mark social identity, humour, or secrecy. While once associated with street slang, many verlan words…

  • prévenir

    The French verb “prévenir” means “to prevent” or “to warn.” It also means “to let [someone] know,” “to avert,” “to advise,” “to inform,” “to guard against,” “to notify” and “to forewarn.” Examples Etymology The word “prévenir” comes from the Latin verb “praeventire,” composed of “prae” (before) and “eventire” (to come).