French grammar explained
What’s the Difference Between “An” and “Année” in French?
If you are learning French, the difference between an and année can be confusing because both words often translate as “year” in English.
Use an when you count years or give someone’s age. Use année when you talk about the experience, duration, or quality of a year.
When to use “an” in French
You usually use an when years are counted like units: one year, two years, three years. It is also the normal word for age.
Use “an” to talk about age
In French, you do not say “I am 30 years old.” You say, literally, “I have 30 years.”
I am 30 years old.
Use ans because you are giving an age.
She is 18 years old.
Age normally uses ans, not années.
Use “an” to count years
When the focus is simply the number of years, French usually uses an. This is one of the most important rules in the difference between an and année in French.
I studied French for two years.
The focus is the duration: two years.
Three years ago.
This is a common time expression with ans.
When to use “année” in French
You usually use année when you are talking about the year as a whole period of time. The focus is what happened during the year, how the year felt, or how you experienced it.
This year was difficult.
You are describing the quality of the year.
I worked all year.
You are talking about the whole year as a period.
Happy New Year!
You are wishing someone a good year as a whole.
Next year, I am going to learn French seriously.
The expression l’année prochaine refers to the coming year as a period.
“An” vs “année”: the simple rule
Counting years
Use an when years are counted as units.
Age
Use ans when you give someone’s age.
Experience
Use année when the year is described or experienced.
Use “an”
- to count years;
- to give someone’s age;
- with numbers;
- in fixed time expressions.
Use “année”
- to describe a year;
- to talk about the whole year;
- to express the experience of a year;
- for school years, calendar years, and meaningful periods.
English speakers often translate “years” automatically as années. But in French, age normally uses ans.
Unnatural for age
J’ai 25 années.
Natural French
The form années can exist with a number, but it usually emphasizes the length, the quality, or the experience of those years.
I spent two difficult years abroad.
Here, années works because the years are described as an experience.
Why do we say “Nouvel An” but “Bonne année”?
Le Nouvel An usually refers to New Year’s Day or the New Year celebration.
I am celebrating New Year’s with friends.
But Bonne année ! refers to the whole year you are wishing someone to have. Literally, you are wishing someone “a good year”.
Complete the sentences with an, ans, année, or années.
- J’ai vingt-neuf ___.
- Cette ___ a été très importante pour moi.
- Il y a trois ___, j’ai commencé à apprendre le français.
- Je te souhaite une très bonne ___.
- Nous avons vécu deux ___ magnifiques au Québec.
Answer key
- ans — age
- année — a specific year as a period
- ans — time expression
- année — wishing someone a good year
- années — described years, with “magnifiques”
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FAQ
What is the French word for “year”?
French has two common words for “year”: an and année. They can both translate as “year”, but they are used differently.
Do you say “j’ai 30 ans” or “j’ai 30 années”?
You say j’ai 30 ans. In French, age is normally expressed with ans, not années.
Is “année” feminine in French?
Yes. Année is feminine. You say une année, cette année, and bonne année.
Is “annee” the same as “année” in French?
Yes. Annee is simply année written without the accent. The correct French spelling is année.
Can “années” be plural?
Yes. You can say des années or deux années, especially when you describe the years as a meaningful period.
What does “bonne année” mean?
Bonne année means “Happy New Year”. Literally, it means “good year”.
Why is it “Nouvel An” and not “Nouvelle Année”?
Le Nouvel An usually refers to New Year’s Day or the New Year celebration. Bonne année refers to the whole year you wish someone to have.