French · Time, Numbers & Colors
"Summer" in French: été
l'été
Summer in French is l'été, masculine. Say en été for in summer. Les vacances d'été are the summer holidays — keep été visible after l'.
Travel dream
En été on part toujours au bord de mer.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce été
Say it
lay-TAY
/l‿e.te/
Été: ay-TAY. With the article, l'été is lay-TAY. Clear accent on both é sounds.
"Summer" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| l'été | summer Season. | Season. |
| en été | in summer Time phrase. | Time phrase. |
| cet été | this summer Near future/past. | Near future/past. |
| vacances d'été | summer holidays School / work break. | School / work break. |
How to use été in real life
- 1Travel dream
En été on part toujours au bord de mer.
In summer we always go to the seaside.
En été.
- 2Heat complaint
L'été est torride cette année.
Summer is scorching this year.
L'été as subject.
- 3Work calendar
Le bureau ferme deux semaines en été.
The office closes two weeks in summer.
En été.
Mistakes English speakers make with été
Incorrect: Au été on voyage.
Correct: En été on voyage.
Use en été.
Incorrect: Le summer est long.
Correct: L'été est long.
Use été.
Good to know
Août empties many cities; l'été means beaches, festivals, and closed shops. Weather talk swings between canicule and orages. School rentrée ends the summer mood abruptly.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Planning next year's break
ChatPal
Tu restes en ville en été ?
Are you staying in town in summer?
You
Non — l'été, je fuis la chaleur.
No—in summer I flee the heat.
ChatPal
Moi aussi. L'été au bord de l'océan ?
Me too. Summer by the ocean?
You
Oui. On regarde les locations.
Yes. We'll look at rentals.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Summer" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Summer" in French
How do you say summer in French?
L'été.
How do you say in summer?
En été.
Is été masculine?
Yes.
How do you pronounce l'été?
lay-TAY.
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
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