French · Time, Numbers & Colors
"May" in French: mai
mai
May in French is mai. Say en mai for in May. Le 1er mai is Labor Day, a public holiday with muguet.
Holiday planning
On part en mai pour éviter la foule.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce mai
Say it
meh
/mɛ/
Mai: meh (like met without a strong t). Short and open.
"May" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| mai | May Month name. | Month name. |
| en mai | in May Time expressions. | Time expressions. |
| début mai | early May Rough timing. | Rough timing. |
| le 1er mai | May 1st / Labor Day Public holiday. | Public holiday. |
How to use mai in real life
- 1Holiday planning
On part en mai pour éviter la foule.
We're leaving in May to avoid the crowds.
En mai.
- 2Office calendar
Le pont du 1er mai tombe un jeudi.
The May 1st bridge holiday falls on a Thursday.
1er mai.
- 3Garden chat
Les lilas fleurissent en mai ici.
The lilacs bloom in May here.
En mai.
Mistakes English speakers make with mai
Incorrect: En Mai.
Correct: En mai.
Months are lowercase.
Incorrect: Au mai.
Correct: En mai.
Use en with months.
Good to know
French May is famous for ponts—long weekends around holidays. On 1er mai, people offer brins de muguet for luck.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Booking a spring break
ChatPal
Tu préfères partir en mai ou en juin ?
Do you prefer leaving in May or June?
You
En mai, juste après le 1er mai.
In May, right after May 1st.
ChatPal
OK. Je regarde les trains pour mai.
OK. I'll check trains for May.
You
Super. Envoie-moi deux créneaux.
Great. Send me two slots.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"May" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "May" in French
How do you say May in French?
Mai.
How do you say in May?
En mai.
What is le 1er mai?
May 1st—Labor Day in France.
How do you pronounce mai?
meh.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
Keep reading
- Ordering Food in French: Essential Phrases for 2026Ordering food in french - Learn how to confidently order food in French with real-life phrases and tips for 2026 travelers
- 10 Best French Speaking Practice Apps for 2026Find the best French speaking practice app to build fluency. We review 10 top tools like ChatPal for conversation, travel prep, and building confidence in 2026.
