french essay on mon anniversaire

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French Story: Mon anniversaire

French story: mon anniversaire.

French story about Mon anniversaire (my birthday), for beginners/intermediates comes from my second YouTube channel French chit-chat with Dylane. You can find the story in English and French. Watch the video to work on your listening skills, you can even turn on the subtitles in French or in English. 

Get the free PDF of the story in French and in English

Samedi dernier, le dix-neuf novembre, c’était mon anniversaire. Parlons-en.     Au début de l’année, j’ai réservé un Airbnb sur l’île de Vancouver pour y passer mon week-end d’anniversaire. On est restés sur l’île de Vancouver de vendredi à mardi. Parce qu’un long week-end, c’est mieux qu’un week-end normal.   Pour nous rendre sur l’île, on a dû prendre le ferry. La traversée a duré à peu près une heure et demie. C’est assez rapide et il y a un restaurant où on peut manger et prendre un café.   On est arrivés à l’Airbnb juste au moment du check-in donc c’était parfait, on n’a pas dû attendre. La maison qu’on a louée était magnifique. C’est une nouvelle construction au milieu des bois avec de grandes fenêtreset beaucoup de lumière naturelle. Il y avait aussi un poêle à bois et du bois à volonté donc on a eu bien chaud pendant les cinq jours.   Apparemment, il y a souvent des cerfs autour de la maison vu que c’est au milieu de la forêt mais je n’ai pas eu la chance d’en voir. J’ai vu des lapins en revanche. Tout n’est pas perdu.

Samedi, le jour de mon anniversaire, on est allés voir une chute d’eau et une cascade. Une chute d’eau c’est quand il y a une seule chute. Une cascade c’est quand l’eau passe par plusieurs étapes. Il y a beaucoup de cascades et de chutes d’eau sur l’île de Vancouver mais on est restés assez près de la maison qu’on avait louée.  

Après ça, on est allés dans un magasin où il y a des chèvres sur le toit. Malheureusement ce jour-là, elles n’étaient pas là. J’ai quand même fait quelques emplettes, comme du café et du chocolat, avant de reprendre la route. Une emplette c’est un autre mot pour un achat.   Ça, c’était pour le matin et l’après-midi. Le soir, on a fêté mon anniversaire avec des hamburgers, du prosecco, et bien sûr mon gâteau d’anniversaire. Ce n’est pas moi qui ai fait le gâteau. On l’avait commandé dans une pâtisserie à Vancouver.   J’ai fait un vœu mais je n’ai pas soufflé les bougies car on les avait oubliées. Je ne sais pas si ça fonctionne quand même pour le vœu mais on verra.   Pour mes cadeaux, j’ai reçu un nouveau clavier d’ordinateur, des boucles d’oreilles, du chocolat, des tickets à gratter et de l’argent. J’ai été gâtée.   Le reste du séjour, on a été voir des lacs, un des lacs était déjà gelé. On a joué à des jeux comme Bananagrams et Carcassonne. On a aussi fait un puzzle et on a joué aux cartes.   C’était vraiment ce dont on avait besoin. Quelques jours de calme et de détente.

Au retour, sur le ferry, on a vu des orques. C’est la première fois que j’en voyais donc c’était une bonne façon de finir mon week-end d’anniversaire.   Vous pouvez partager en commentaires votre date d’anniversaire et ce que vous aimez faire.   C’est tout pour aujourd’hui. Merci à mes Patrons et je vous retrouverai dimanche prochain.

French story: My birthday

Last Saturday, November nineteenth, was my birthday. Let’s talk about it.   Earlier this year, I booked an Airbnb on Vancouver Island to spend my birthday weekend there. We stayed on Vancouver Island from Friday to Tuesday. Because a long weekend is better than a normal weekend.   To get to the island, we had to take the ferry. The crossing took about an hour and a half. It’s quite fast and there is a restaurant where you can eat and have a coffee.   We arrived at the Airbnb just at check-in time so it was perfect, we didn’t have to wait. The house we rented was beautiful. It is a new construction in the middle of the woods with large windows and lots of natural light. There was also a wood stove and plenty of wood so we were warm for the five days.   Apparently there are often deer around the house since it’s in the middle of the forest but I didn’t have the chance to see any. I saw rabbits on the other hand. All is not lost.   Saturday, my birthday, we went to see a waterfall and a waterfall. A waterfall is when there is only one fall. A waterfall is when water goes through several stages. There are a lot of waterfalls and waterfalls on Vancouver Island but we stayed pretty close to the house we rented.   After that, we went to a store with goats on the roof. Unfortunately, that day, they were not there. I still did some shopping, like coffee and chocolate, before hitting the road again. “Emplette” is another word for a purchase.   That was for the morning and the afternoon. In the evening, we celebrated my birthday with hamburgers, prosecco, and of course my birthday cake. I didn’t make the cake. We had ordered it in a pastry shop in Vancouver.   I made a wish but I didn’t blow out the candles because they had been forgotten. I don’t know if it still works for the wish but we’ll see.   For my gifts, I received a new computer keyboard, earrings, chocolate, scratch tickets and money. I was spoiled.   The rest of the stay, we went to see lakes, one of the lakes was already frozen. We played games like Bananagrams and Carcassonne. We also did a puzzle and played cards.   It was really what we needed. A few days of calm and relaxation.   On the way back, on the ferry, we saw killer whales. It was the first time I saw it so it was a good way to end my birthday weekend.   You can share in comments your birthday and what you like to do.   That’s all for today. Thank you to my Patrons and I will meet you next Sunday.

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French story: Mes vacances: Orages et allergie

French story: Fall 

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2 Responses

Dylane , Happy belated birthday , I recently came accros your you tube videos , and i must say it is so helpful , I am a South African, living and working in France / Marseille for 10 years and feel embarrassed to say am not fluent in french , your videos are so well explained and your french is so fluent to understand , thank you for taking the time to make the videos . my best wishes for the new year

Logie, there is no shame. Sometimes it takes longer than. we thought, but what count is the end of the journey. It can take 20 years, it doesn’t matter 🙂 And thank you for your nice wishes <3

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My Birthday in French

– How to ask and answer questions about birthdays in French. Vocabulary in a story about a birthday celebration, including a list of days and months of the year in French. Video Clip,     Online Quiz     +  Worksheet .

Quelle est la date de ton anniversaire? When is your birthday?

C’est le …    = It is the … Mon anniversaire c’ est le    … My birthday is … Eg: Mon anniversaire c’est le 23 décembre = My birthday is the 23rd of December

Vocabulary:

L’anniversaire (m)  the birthday Le cadeau (m)          the present Le gâteau (m)            the cake Le gâteau d’anniversaire = the birthday cake la girafe (f)                 the giraffe

Mon + Ma    = My premier (première)   = first préféré (e)   = favourite

My Birthday in French Videos

Billy’s Birthday Story in French:

Days + Months in French before the story:

Video Transcript

(The video includes subtitles in French AND English)

Salut!  C’est moi!  Billy! J’ai un gâteau. C’est mon anniversaire. J’ai quatre ans. Raconte Billy … C’est quand ton anniversaire? Je suis né en hiver. Mon anniversaire est en hiver. Quelle est la date de ton anniversaire? Mon anniversaire c’est le 23 décembre, à Noël! J’ai un cadeau. C’est mon premier cadeau. Mais regardez la girafe. C’est mon cadeau préféré. Je mange mon gâteau avec ma mère. C’est bon! J’aime mon gâteau d’anniversaire! Tout est fini! Et toi, Maggie, la maman de Billy?! Quelle est la date de ton anniversaire? Mon anniversaire c’est le 21 juillet.

Billy is a real dog, and he really does love his giraffe. Learn about how it belongs to him in this story: Maggie est coquine

Now say when your birthday is in French by finding the day + the month below. Mon anniversaire c’est …

1st      – le premier 2nd     – le deux 3rd      – le trois 4th      – le quatre 5th      – le cinq 6th      – le six 7th      – le sept 8th      – le huit 9th      – le neuf 10th   – le dix 11th   – le onze 12th   – le douze 13th   – le treize 14th   – le quatorze 15th   – le quinze 16th   – le seize 17th   – le dix-sept 18th   – le dix-huit 19th   – le dix-neuf 20th   – le vingt 21st   – le vingt et un 22nd  – le vingt-deux 23rd   – le vingt-trois 24th   – le vingt-quatre 25th   – le vingt-cinq 26th   – le vingt-six 27th   – le vingt-sept 28th   – le vingt-huit 29th   – le vingt-neuf 30th   – le trente 31st   – le trente et un

Les Mois – Months in French

janvier         January février         February mars             March avril              April mai                May juin                June juillet            July août              August septembre  September octobre        October novembre   November décembre   December

My Birthday French Quiz

#1. I am Billy. I have a present. I am four.

#2. my birthday is in winter., #3. what is the date of your birthday.

#4. My birthday is 23rd December

#5. maggie, what date is your birthday, #6. my birthday is 21st july., #7. i have a cake. it is my birthday., #8. i like my birthday cake., #9. i have a favourite present. it is the giraffe., #10. my birthday is 17th march..

Have another go.

Do this practice first:

Mon anniversaire c’est le vingt-neuf décembre. Et toi? Quelle est la date de ton anniversaire?

A Green Mouse French and Spanish Listening Resources

My Birthday / Mon Anniversaire French Lesson

by Ms Campbell | Jan 31, 2016 | French

Lesson – Mon Anniversaire French Lesson

• Students will learn the months of the year. janvier, février, mars, avril, mai, juin, juillet, août, septembre, octobre, novembre, décembre
• Students will learn how to discuss their and their classmates’ birthdays. Quelle est la date de ton anniversaire?  Mon anniversaire est le (number) (month).

On of the topics we enjoy talking about the most is our birthdays. In this conversation dialogue you can practice asking and answering lots of questions concerning birthdays in French.

1) Quelle est la date de ton anniversaire ? What’s the date of your birthday?

2) Comment est ce que les gens fêtent les anniversaires dans ton pays ? How do you celebrate birthdays in your country?

3) Comment aimes tu fêter ton anniversaire? How do you like to celebrate your birthday?

4) Est ce que tu te souviens de ton anniversaire le plus heureux ? Quand est ce que c’était? Can you remember your happiest birthday? When was it?

5) Est ce que tu te souviens d’un anniversaire malheureux? Quand est ce que c’était? Can you remember an unhappy birthday? When was it?

6) Est-ce qu ’on t’a déjà organisé une fête d’anniversaire surprise? Est ce que tu as préparé une fête d’anniversaire surprise pour quelqu’un d’autre? Has anybody ever made you a surprise birthday party? Have you ever made a surprise birthday party for somebody else?

7) Quel est le plus beau cadeau que tu aies reçu pour ton anniversaire? What’s the nicest gift you’ve ever received for your birthday?

8) Est ce que tes parents t’ont organisé des fêtes d’anniversaire quand tu étais petit(e)? Did your parents make you birthday parties when you were little?

9) À ton avis atteindre les grands anniversaires (40, 50, 60) est une expérience heureuse ou déprimante? Do you think reaching big birthdays (40, 50, 60) is a happy or despressing experience?

10) À ton avis quel est le meilleur âge? In your opinion what’s the best age?

11) Est ce que tu as jamais oublié l’anniversaire de quelqu’un dans ta famille ou d’un ami proche? Have you ever forgotton the birthday of somebody in your family or a close friend?

12) Quels étaient les évènements les plus importants de ton année de naissance? What where the most important events of the year of your birth?

13) Est ce qu’il y a quelqu’un célèbre qui a le même anniversaire que toi? Is there anybody famous who has the same birthday as you?

14) Est ce que les anniversaires sont vraiment importants pour toi? Oui ou non et pourquoi? Are birthdays really important for you? Yes or no and why?

15) Est-ce que tu préfères offrir un cadeau ou de l’argent pour un anniversaire? Do you prefer to give a gift or money for a birthday?

16) Est-ce que tu préfères passer ton anniversaire tout(e) seul(e) ou avec des amis ou des membres de ta famille? Do you prefer to spend your birthday alone or with members of your family?

17) Comment est ce que tu passerais un anniversaire idéal? What would you spend an ideal birthday?

18) Quelles activités est ce que tu aimes faire pour un anniversaire? What activities do you like to do for a birthday?

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David Issokson is a lifelong language learner and speaks over seven languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private lessons. When not teaching or writing his French Word of the Day lessons, David enjoys his time skiing, hiking and mountain biking in Victor, Idaho.

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How to Write an Excellent French Essay (Resources Included)

Tips to write an excellent french essay.

Writing essays is challenging enough, but when you are asked to write a French essay, you are not only being asked to write in a foreign language, but to follow the conventions of another linguistic and literary tradition. Like essay-writing in any language, the essential part of writing a French essay is to convey your thoughts and observations on a certain topic in a clear and concise manner. French essays do come out of a certain tradition that is part of the training of all students who attend school in France – or at least secondary school – and when you are a French essay, it is important to be aware of this tradition.

The French philosopher Michel de Montaigne is credited with popularizing the essay form as a literary genre. His work, Essais, first published in 1580, and undergoing several subsequent publications before his death in 1592, covers a wide breadth of topics, ranging from “amitié” to “philosopher c’est apprendre à mourir”, and includes many literary references, as well as personal anecdotes. The name for this genre, essai, is the nominal form of the verb essayer, “to attempt”. We have an archaic English verb essay, meaning the same thing. The limerick that includes the phrase, “... when she essayed to drink lemonade ...” indicates an attempt to drink a beverage and has nothing to do with writing about it. But the writing form does illustrate an attempt to describe a topic in depth with the purpose of developing new insights on a particular text or corpus.

French instructors are very specific about what they would like when they ask for an essay, meaning that they will probably specify whether they would like an explication de texte, commentaire composé, or dissertation. That last essay form should not be confused with the document completed for a doctorate in anglophone countries – this is called a thèse in French, by the way. There are different formats for each of these types of essay, and different objectives for each written form.

Types of Essay

1. l’explication de texte.

An explication de texte is a type of essay for which you complete a close reading. It is usually written about a poem or a short passage within a larger work. This close reading will elucidate different themes and stylistic devices within the text. When you are completing an explication de texte, make sure to follow the structure of the text as you complete a close examination of its form and content. The format for an explication de texte consists of:

i. An introduction, in which you situate the text within its genre and historical context. This is where you can point out to your readers the general themes of the text, its form, the trajectory of your reading, and your approach to the text.

ii. The body, in which you develop your ideas, following the structure of the text. Make sure you know all of the meanings of the words used, especially the key terms that point to the themes addressed by the author. It is a good idea to look words up in the dictionary to find out any second, third, and fourth meanings that could add to the themes and forms you describe. Like a student taking an oral examination based on this type of essay writing, you will be expected to have solid knowledge of the vocabulary and grammatical structures that appear in the text. Often the significance of the language used unfolds as you explain the different components of theme, style, and composition.

iii. A conclusion, in which you sum up the general meaning of the text and the significance of the figures and forms being used. You should also give the implications of what is being addressed, and the relevance of these within a larger literary, historical, or philosophical context.

NB: If you are writing about a poem, include observations on the verse, rhyme schemes, and meter. It is a good idea to refer to a reference work on versification. If you are writing about a philosophical work, be familiar with philosophical references and definitions of concepts.

Caveat: Refrain from paraphrasing. Instead show through careful analysis of theme, style, and composition the way in which the main ideas of the text are conveyed.

2. Le commentaire composé

A commentaire composé is a methodologically codified commentary that focuses on themes in a particular text. This type of essay develops different areas of reflection through analytical argument. Such argumentation should clarify the reading that you are approaching by presenting components of the text from different perspectives. In contrast to the explication de texte, it is organized thematically rather than following the structure of the text to which it refers. The format for a commentaire composé consists of:

i. An introduction, in which you present the question you have come up with, often in relation to a prompt commenting on a thematic or stylistic aspect of the text, such as “Montrez en quoi ce texte évoque l’amour courtois” or “Qu’apporte l’absence de la ponctuation dans ce texte ?” In this section, you will be expected to delineate your approach to the text and illustrate the trajectory of your ideas so that your readers will have a clear idea of the direction these ideas will take.

ii. A tripartite body, in which you explore the question you have come up with, citing specific examples in the text that are especially pertinent to the areas of reflection you wish to explore. These citations should be explained and connected to the broad themes of your commentary, all the while providing details that draw the readers’ attention to your areas of inquiry. These different areas of inquiry may initially seem disparate or even contradictory, but eventually come together to form a harmonious reading that addresses different aspects of the text. The more obvious characteristics of the text should illuminate its subtler aspects, which allows for acute insight into the question that you are in the process of exploring.

iii. A conclusion, in which you evaluate your reading and synthesize its different areas of inquiry. This is where you may include your own opinions, but make sure that the preceding sections of your commentaire remain analytical and supported by evidence that you find in the text.

NB: Looking at verb tenses, figures of speech, and other aspects that contribute to the form of the text will help situate your reader, as will commenting on the register of language, whether this language is ornate, plain, reflects a style soutenu, or less formal patterns of speech.

Caveat: Quotations do not replace observations or comments on the text. Explain your quotations and situate them well within your own text.

3. La dissertation

The dissertation is a personal, organized, and methodical reflection on a precise question that refers to a corpus of writing. Referring to this corpus, you may be asked questions along the lines of “Que pensez-vous de l’équivalence entre l’amour et la chanson exprimée dans ces textes ?” or “Est-ce que la sagesse et la folie ont les mêmes sources?” This type of essay allows for an exploration of a question through knowledge of a corpus as well as through an individual’s cultural knowledge. The format for a dissertation consists of:

i. An introduction, in which you present the topic addressed, the significance of your argument, and the trajectory of your ideas.

ii. The body which, like a commentaire composé, consists of a tripartite development of your argument. This can follow any one of the following structures: a dialectical schema, organized into thèse, antithèse, and synthèse – an argument, its counter-argument, and its rebuttal; an analytical schema, consisting of the description of a situation, an analysis of its causes, and commentary on its consequences; a thematic schema, which consists of a reflection on a topic which you proceed to examine from different angles in an orderly fashion.

iii. A conclusion, in which you address the different ways in which you have approached the question at hand and how this deepens your insights, while placing the question within a broader context that shows room for expansion. The conclusion can open up the topic addressed to show its placement within a literary movement, or in opposition to another literary movement that follows it, for example.

NB: Approach the question at hand with as few preconceptions as possible. If you are writing on a quotation, gather all of your knowledge about its author, the work in which it appears, and the body of literature with which it is associated.

Caveat: Even for a personal reflection, such as a dissertation, avoid using the first person pronoun je. Nous or on are preferable. It is advisable not to switch from one to the other, though.

For each of these essay forms, it is a good idea to make an outline to which you can refer as you write. As your writing progresses, things may shift a bit, but having a structure on which you can rely as you gather your various ideas and information into a coherent argument provides solid foundation for a clear and well-developed essay. This also facilitates smooth transitions from one section of your essay to the next.

During your reading, you may encounter a problem, a contradiction, or a surprising turn of phrase that is difficult to figure out. Such moments in a text give you the opportunity to delve into the unique characteristics of the text or corpus to which you are referring, to propose different solutions to the problems you encounter, and to describe their significance within a larger literary, philosophical, and historical context. Essay writing allows you to become more familiar with French works, with their cultural significance, and with the French language. You can refer to the following resources to guide you in this endeavor:

Auffret, Serge et Hélène. Le commentaire composé. Paris: Hachette, 1991. Dufau, Micheline et Ellen D'Alelio. Découverte du poème: Introduction à l'explication de textes. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, 1967. Grammont, Maurice. Petit traité de versification française. Paris: A. Colin, 2015. Huisman, Denis et L. R. Plazolles. L’art de la dissertation littéraire : du baccalauréat au C.A.P.E.S. Paris : Société d’édition d’enseignement supérieur, 1965.

The French newspaper Le Monde also has good articles on these essay forms that prepare French students for the baccalauréat exam: CLICK HERE

This is also a website with thorough information on essay writing techniques that prepare students for the baccalauréat exam: CLICK HERE

In addition, the University of Adelaide has tips for general essay writing in French: CLICK HERE

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How to say happy birthday in French (and the mistakes to avoid)

May 2, 2022

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There are some cultural details we take for granted. If you’ve ever celebrated classmates’ birthdays in your French class, or seen a French movie or TV show where there was a birthday ( un anniversaire ), you might think you’ve got French birthday traditions down pat.

Then there may come a day when you’re invited to a French person’s birthday, or even that you’re the one planning it. This may be when you realize that there are some details about celebrating birthdays in France that may surprise you.

Let’s discover how to say happy birthday in French and discover the differences between French birthday celebrations and birthday celebrations in other cultures.

Joyeux anniversaire

Joyeux anniversaire is the most common birthday greeting in French.

It can be confusing for us anglophones, of course, because the word anniversaire makes us think of a wedding anniversary ( anniversaire de mariage in French).

When it comes to anniversaire as a birthday, simply think of it as the anniversary of the day you were born.

Bon anniversaire

Some people prefer this less common alternative. There is no particular reason; Bon anniversaire isn’t more or less formal than Joyeux anniversaire , for example. I think it’s just a personal vocabulary choice. That said, if you’re looking for a French birthday card or decorations, you may have to look a little harder to find this phrase.

Whether you choose to use “bon anniversaire” or “joyeux anniversaire”, you can also make the phrase more formal by saying “je vous souhaite un bon/joyeux anniversaire” (I wish you a happy birthday.)

The Canadian happy birthday

Joyeux anniversaire or bon anniversaire are the standard ways to wish someone happy birthday in French. But if you’re studying Canadian French ( Quebecois) or just want to extend birthday wishes to a French-Canadian friend, you would say Bonne fête – literally, “Good party/celebration”.  

That seems pretty straightforward, but if you’re also communicating with French speakers from other places, be careful: Bonne fête has a completely different meaning in other parts of the francophone world.  

If you say “ Bonne fête ” to a French speaker who isn’t from Canada, they’ll think you’re referring to their saint’s day. Also known as a “name day” in English, this is the feast day of the saint whose name they share. For example, if you have a friend named Julien, his saint’s day is August 2.  

As you might imagine, these days aren’t arbitrary – they come from a calendar that was devised by the Catholic church and has been used for centuries (with a few new saints added and more modern names included over time).  

Some families, especially practicing Catholics, will celebrate someone’s name day like a mini birthday, with a cake, for example, although not a big party or presents. Other people will simply say Bonne fête! to the person whose name day it is. And of course, France is no longer run by the Church, and is a secular, multicultural society, so many people don’t celebrate their saint’s day at all.  

Still, lots of completely secular promotional or even official calendars do include the saint’s name for each day, and many non-religious television stations and newspapers will mention the name of the day’s saint.  

You can click here to see a very typical (like, so typical that I more or less have the same one taped to my refrigerator here in Paris) mini calendar that has saints’ names alongside completely non-religious things like school vacation periods.  

Other ways to say “Happy Birthday” in French

If you want to pull out all the stops and say more than a simple phrase, an internet search like “ façons originales de dire ‘joyeux anniversaire’ ” is a good idea. Lots of sites will give you some eloquent phrases or quotations to use.  

Or, if you want to create your own birthday message, you could start with Joyeux anniversaire (or whichever variant you prefer) and then add something you wish for the person – for example: Joyeux anniversaire ! Que du bonheur pour cette prochaine année de vie . ” (Nothing but happiness in this next year of your life) or something you appreciate about them: Joyeux anniversaire à un super copain (Happy birthday to an awesome friend).

Happy belated birthday in French

It’s kind of reassuring that the French have a few ways to say “Happy belated birthday” – it shows that this kind of thing happens in other cultures, too, even if it’s not ideal. We’re all human.

The simplest way to wish someone a happy belated birthday in French is Joyeux anniversaire, avec un peu de retard (literally, “Happy Birthday, with a bit of lateness”).  

You’ll also sometimes hear or read Bon anniversaire tardif,   but this is not as common and doesn’t seem to have a pleasant ring to it for French-speakers.  

How do the French celebrate birthdays?

Now that we’ve learned what to say for a French person’s birthday, how do you celebrate it? Here are some specific details that may make French birthday celebrations different from ones in your native culture:

What you sing at French birthdays

A typical French birthday celebration is like most birthday celebrations in the Western world: There’s cake and often presents (especially if the person celebrating their birthday is a child). The birthday boy or girl blows out candles ( bougies ) after the guests sing the French version of Happy Birthday to You (or, in Canada, a very pretty song sung to the tune of the Quebecois national anthem, which is linked to in this very informative article ).  

The birthday song in French is the same tune as the one in English, but with the words in French ( bien sûr! ): Joyeux anniversaire, joyeux anniversaire, joyeux anniversaire [name], joyeux anniversaire! You can hear it here .

Interestingly, in the French version of Happy Birthday to You , sometimes the person’s name isn’t sung. I’m not sure that there’s a particular reason for this; I’ve heard it at family gatherings as well as larger parties where you might think that maybe not everyone knows the birthday person’s name, so it doesn’t seem to be tied to that.

There is another version of Happy Birthday to You in French with different lyrics , but while it’s the most common one you’ll find on YouTube, I’ve personally never heard it sung at any of the many French birthday parties I’ve been to over the years.

The cake ( le gâteau )

The big difference that I’ve noticed with French birthday parties, whether they’re for kids or adults, is that they tend to be more lowkey than in some other countries, very much including my native country, the US. This is especially true when it comes to the cake.

The French don’t use icing or make elaborate birthday cakes. Many French people consider icing to be écoeurant (disgusting) and prefer a subtler taste and look for their birthday pastries. It’s very common to have a simple, homemade cake with no icing and minimal (if any) decorations at a birthday party, especially if it’s for kids. A grown-up’s party would usually feature a freshly baked cake bought from a good local boulangerie . Often, there will be a fruit tart instead.  

If you like cake, the good news is, these options are still delicious – just different than what you might be expecting if colorful cakes with icing and designs are the norm in your culture.  

The presents ( les cadeaux )

If you’re invited to a French birthday party, you might be wondering what kind of gift to get. Are there traditional French birthday gifts?

If the party is for a kid, I often get in touch with the parents to ask what they might want. Some parents seem a bit embarrassed by this and will only give you vague answers, but others will at least tell you what the kid is interested in. You’re generally not expected to buy anything very expensive or elaborate. For example, at a recent birthday party my son was invited to, we bought the guest of honor, a fan of Star Wars, a lightsaber toy.

For adults, you can obviously choose something based on what the person likes, but if you don’t know them well, some kind of quality food or drink offering (most typically a bottle of wine or a box of high-end chocolates) is always appreciated. If you come from another culture, you could offer them a quality product from yours, if you think they’d appreciate that. But wine, chocolates, or flowers are excellent go-to’s.  

Gift cards don’t seem to be as popular in France as they are in some other cultures. I think this is due to the French finding it rude to talk about or bring up money (although money is the common, traditional gift at French weddings).

Venues, dress code, French birthday cards, and other details

In France, theme parties or parties hosted at special venues don’t seem very popular. Instead, most of the birthday parties I’ve been to have been held at people’s homes or (for kids’ birthdays) at local parks.  

Fancy decorations or and getting dressed up also aren’t the norm, whether for adults or children.  

In France, birthday cards tend to be sent by mail from people who aren’t present at the party, rather than given with gifts.

For adult birthdays, it’s common to toast with champagne , although this definitely depends on the context – a twentysomething celebrating with friends might opt for something harder, for example.

Of course, all of this depends on the person, their family/friends, social class, tastes, and so on. But as a general rule, it’s what you can expect if you’re invited to a French birthday party.

The essential thing to know about French birthday celebrations is that they tend to be on the simple side

If you’re from a culture where that’s not the case, you might worry that this will feel a bit lackluster, especially if you’re planning a party for a French loved one. Over time, though, I’ve come to really appreciate simple French birthdays in their own right. There’s a sincerity and a less artificial feel to them.  

In a way, birthday parties are a moment where even the most sophisticated French people show a down-to-earth side. It’s a way to get back to what a birthday is really about: celebrating someone’s presence in the world.

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Joyeux Anniversaire – Happy Birthday in France

Last Updated:  7 March 2023

Joyeux anniversaire (also known as Joyeuse Fête in Canada) is a translation of the original American song, "Happy birthday to you", dating from the late 19th century. Let's focus on the origins of the song before we learn more about the birthday traditions in France .

The story of Joyeux anniversaire

This short song dates from the late 19th century. The sisters Patty and Mildred J. Hill introduced the song "Good Morning to All" to Patty's kindergarten class in Kentucky. They published the tune in their 1893 songbook, Song Stories for the Kindergarten, with Chicago publisher Clayton F. Summy.

But there are differing opinions about the song's origin.

Birthday Greetings (Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Two different opinions on the song's origins

Kembrew McLeod claimed that the Hill sisters probably copied the tune and lyrical idea from other popular and similar 19th century songs, including Horace Waters' "Happy Greetings to All", "Good Night to You All" also from 1858, "A Happy New Year to All" from 1875, and "A Happy Greeting to All", published in 1885.

American law professor Robert Brauneis disagrees, pointing out that these earlier songs had quite different melodies.

The first appearances of Happy Birthday to You

The full text of "Happy Birthday to You" first appeared in print as the last four lines of Edith Goodyear Alger's poem "Roy's Birthday", published in A Primer of Work and Play.

The first book to include lyrics to "Happy Birthday" to the tune of "Good Morning to All" was in 1911. However, there are earlier references to a song called "Happy Birthday to You", including a 1901 article in the Inland Educator and the Indiana School Journal.

In 1924, Robert Coleman included "Good Morning to All" in a songbook with the birthday lyrics as the second verse. Coleman also published "Happy Birthday" in The American Hymnal in 1933.

A song in the public domain since 2017

The music and lyrics are in the public domain in the European Union and the United States. The copyright expired in the European Union on 1 January 2017.

The song: Joyeux anniversaire!

Lyrics, music, free download... let's learn more about the popular song:

The lyrics in French

The original song of  Joyeux anniversaire has 1 verse.

Joyeux anniversaire

Joyeux anniversaire (+ prénom)

Translation of the lyrics into English

Here is the translation of Joyeux anniversaire into English:

Happy birthday

Happy birthday (+ first name)

Download the Lyrics for FREE!

No need to type name or email 😀

The Birthday traditions in France

The French word " anniversaire " is derived from the Latin annus "year", and versus, "which turns". It, therefore, refers to the annual return of a day marked by an event, particularly the birth of an individual.

A distinction is made between :

• wedding anniversaries
• commemorative anniversaries ( Bastille Day , WWI Armistice )

Birthdays in the Ancient Times

Birthdays were not always celebrated, and when they were, it was usually a famous person's birthday. In ancient times, the first birthdays celebrated were those of the gods. The Egyptians or Persians knew the date of their birth.

The Old Testament mentions the birthday of the Pharaoh of Egypt in the story of Joseph (Genesis 40:20).

" Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials [...] " (NIV)

Joseph Explaining the Dream to Pharaoh, Jean Adrien Guignet

In the 5th century BC, according to the historian Herodotus, the Persians marked the day with a larger-than-usual meal.

Birthdays among the Greeks

For the Greeks , the anniversary of death was celebrated with offerings on the graves. On the other hand, the day of the birth of a warrior, considered a demigod, was observed after his death.

The Greeks believed that a protective spirit was dedicated to each human. This spirit was present at his birth and watched over him during his life. This spirit had a mystical relationship with the god whose birthday corresponded to the day of the individual's birth. The name of this spirit, ' daimôn ', gave rise to the word 'demon'.

A chimera at Notre-Dame de Paris overlooking the city © French Moments

Birthdays among the Romans

The Romans also subscribed to this idea and celebrated the birthday of the "birth day" by thanking the daimôn who had watched over them since their birth.

The day of birth was celebrated regularly, the natalice (from the Latin natalicia , birth anniversary meal) as a 'private and public religious rite'. It was reserved in particular for emperors, whose birthdays gave rise to sacrifices.

This belief in the daimôn has found its way into the notions of guardian angels, fairy godmothers and patron saints.

Depiction of a guardian angel (German card circa 1900)

In the New Testament

In the New Testament , a birthday feast is mentioned in Mark 6:21 when the daughter of Herodias gets the head of John the Baptist :

" Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. " (NIV)

Salome with the head of St John the Baptist (1607), by Caravaggio

No birthdays in the Middle Ages

With the advent of Christianity, this tradition was considered pagan: a Christian began to live on the day of his death when he entered the kingdom of God. For this reason, Catholics celebrated their patron saint.

At the beginning of the 13th century, Marco Polo, in the Devisement of the World , describes the festivities on the birthday of the Chinese emperor Kubilai Khan.

Birthdays in medieval France

The celebration of birthdays was rare during the Middle Ages, and the date of birth was rarely known. This explains why historians do not know the exact date of birth of personalities (Clovis I, Charlemagne, Eleanor of Aquitaine, François Rabelais).

Moreover, the Roman Catholic Church was hostile to celebrating birthdays because of its pagan origins and because birth was a reminder of original sin.

Celebrating Saints' Days

The Catholic Church preferred to promote the feast of the "patron saint" ( le jour du saint ) corresponding to his or her baptismal name or death ( natalice or funerary anniversarium ) considered as the dies natalis , "day of birth" (at the resurrection).

For example, every one bearing the name of Pierre (Peter) was celebrated on St Peter's Day on 29 June, Christophe on 21 August and Marie on 15 August.

There were, however, three exceptions to this rule:

• the 'Nativity of Jesus Christ' (that is Christmas )
• the 'Nativity of St John the Baptist', ( St John's Day )
• and the 'Nativity of the Virgin Mary'. 

These three Christian feasts have also taken over the cults linked to the solstices and are not strictly speaking anniversary dates. No one knows the date and year of Jesus Christ's birth for the simple reason that in ancient times birthdays were not marked as they are today.

The saints celebrated in January - Egerton Hours circa 1410

The Reformation reintroduced birthdays

From the 16th century onwards, with the development of humanism and an awareness of human identity, the Protestant bourgeoisie in Northern Europe decided to celebrate their birthdays.

Protestants saw these celebrations as a good way of shifting attention away from the saint's day, in line with the rejection of the cult of saints.

Birthday Cake. Photo: amenic181 via Envato Elements

When the French started celebrating birthdays

Gradually, celebrating the anniversary in France spread to the bourgeoisie and the working class in the 20th century.

Even at the beginning of the 20th century, many French people named after the saint honoured on their birth celebrated their feast day on their birthday.

Since the 1950s, the celebration of birthdays has become commonplace under British influence: the party among friends is becoming more common, underlined by a vast commercial pressure to which children are very receptive.

A personal landmark in time

A real landmark in time, birthdays are celebrated every year in childhood and even in adult life. The eighteenth birthday, an important milestone, marks the accession to adulthood in France.

Joyeux anniversaire. Photo: RuthBlack via Envato Elements

Young men and women acquire various rights and responsibilities: voting, the right to consume certain substances (e.g. alcohol, tobacco), the call to military service (until 1997 in France), the driving licence,

If the birthday continues to be celebrated with the family, only the round numbers (20 years, 25 years or a quarter of a century, 30 years, 40 years, etc.) allow the circle of friends to be enlarged, sometimes without the recipient's knowledge: it is then un anniversaire-surprise (surprise birthday) or une surprise-partie (surprise party).

The birthday cake and the candle

The birthday cake ( le gâteau d'anniversaire ) that carries the candles is often very elaborate and decorated, without having a unique shape like that of the ancient Romans and without a particular recipe.

An ancient origin rich in symbols

According to authors Ralph and Adelin Linton in " The lore of Birthdays " (New York, 1952), the birthday cake echoes the honey cakes of the ancient Greeks. They were round like the moon and lit by candles before being placed on the altars of the temple of Diana. 

The symbol of candles

Popular belief attributes birthday candles to the magical power to grant wishes. Lit candles and sacrificial fires have always had a special mystical significance since man erected altars to his gods.

The candles are, therefore, a tribute to the birthday child; they bring honour and good luck to the child. Birthday wishes and good wishes are an integral part of the celebration. This belief has its roots in magic. Birthday wishes can do good or harm because one is closer to the spirit world at that moment.

Birthday candles. Photo: SmitBruins via Envato Elements

The rising flame of the candles symbolises the growing life. As many candles as there are years are put out, thus visualising the passing of the milestone, and these candles are to be blown out at once to remind us of the power of the growing breath of life.

Children's birthday parties

A birthday is often considered a special day for a person who usually receives special attention from family and friends. This is especially true for children who look forward to their own birthdays.

A family meal

A child's birthday is celebrated with a family meal, possibly with the godfather and godmother present, a party with friends and children of the same age group or " une boum " (party) when the child is older (around ten or eleven).

Birthday Party. Photo: serenkonata via Envato Elements

Sometimes a third occasion is given to the youngest children to blow out their candles at kindergarten or school around a cake brought by the parents.

This amplification corresponds to the development of leisure in general, with the gift and the 'cult' of the table in France.

A party with friends

Between children, the reception of friends is very official. It can be the first ritual of socialisation. Invitation cards ( les cartes d'anniversaire ) are sent or distributed in advance, and the decoration of the house and the buffet, which includes sweets and sweet drinks, is elaborate. The clothing ( chic or cool , depending on age) is carefully chosen.

Birthday Party. Photo: seventyfourimages via Envato Elements

The birthday cake ceremony

When the candles decorating the cake are lit, the moment, often highlighted by photos, is intense. The lights are then lowered to make the moment more solemn, and the assembly sings " Joyeux anniversaire ".

Birthday Cake. Photo: Pressmaster via Envato Elements

Once the song is over, there may be a silence during which the recipient may make a wish inwardly before blowing out the candles. Traditionally, if all the candles are extinguished at once, the wish will be fulfilled.

Another superstition associated with birthday wishes is that they will not be fulfilled if the person reveals the wish.

Joyeux anniversaire. Photo Repnitskaya via Envato Elements

Then comes the time to open the presents.

Birthday presents

The guests give the child, the king of the party, presents: these are essential and help with socialisation. On this occasion, the child learns the rules of civility, whether receiving or giving.

Birthday Party. Photo: seventyfourimages via Envato Elements.jpg

The small gifts given to the friends present are also obligatory, as during a rite of integration. They are reminiscent of the sugared almonds distributed during a christening to make the child accepted by the host community. Gifts and counter-gifts constitute a system of exchange with a monetary value that is important in the long run, even if they come after Christmas gifts .

Birthday games

After le goûter d'anniversaire (birthday snack), it's time for fun games, like musical chairs, a treasure hunt, etc.

Birthday Party. Photo: halfpoint via Envato Elements

Visits to the zoo, theatre, circus, and puppet shows are also very popular. It is also customary to send a birthday card to the person, especially when you are not physically present, to wish them a Joyeux anniversaire !

Joyeux anniversaire. Photo RuthBlack via Envato Elements

My challenge for the year 2023 is to publish 80 French Nursery Rhymes lyrics and descriptions (list below). Come back as time goes by to discover the new articles:

50 French Nursery Rhymes Lyrics

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE SONGS

A la claire fontaine

Ah ! dis-moi donc bergère

Ah ! Les crocodiles

Ah ! vous dirai-je, maman

Ainsi font, font, font

Alouette, gentille alouette

Au clair de la lune

Au feu les pompiers

Au royaume de Diguedondaine

Auprès de ma blonde

Aux marches du palais

Blanc Blanc Blanc belle rose

Bon voyage Monsieur Dumollet

Buvons un coup ma serpette est perdue

C'est la mère Michel

C'était Anne de Bretagne

Cadet Rousselle

Car c’est un bon camarade

Chère Élise

Chevaliers de la table ronde

Colchiques dans les prés

Compagnons de la Marjolaine

Dame Tartine

Dans les prisons de Nantes

Dansons la capucine

Dodo, l'enfant do

En passant par la Lorraine

Fleur d’épine

Frère Jacques

Gentil coquelicot

Il court, il court, le furet

Il était un petit cordonnier

Il était un petit navire

Il était une bergère

Il pleut, il pleut, bergère

J'ai du bon tabac

J'ai un gros nez rouge

J'fais pipi sur le gazon

Je te tiens par la barbichette

La bonne aventure ô gué

La danse des canards

La légende de saint Nicolas

Le bon roi Dagobert

Le carillon de Vendôme

Le facteur n'est pas passé

Le fermier dans son pré

Le temps des cerises

Le temps du muguet

Le vieux MacDonald

Les filles de La Rochelle

Maman les p'tits bateaux

Malbrough s'en va-t-en guerre

Meunier, tu dors

Mignonne allons voir si la rose

Mon père m'a donné un mari

Ne pleure pas Jeannette

Nous n'irons plus au bois

Ô gai, vive la rose

Passe passe passera

Pirouette Cacahuète

Plantons la vigne

Pomme de reinette et pomme d'api

Pomme, pêche, poire, abricot

Promenons-nous dans les bois

Savez-vous planter les choux ?

Sur la route de Dijon

Sur la route de Louviers

Sur le pont d'Avignon

Sur le pont du nord

Tout va très bien madame la marquise

Trois jeunes tambours

Un éléphant ça trompe énormément

Un kilomètre à pied

Un, deux, trois, nous irons au bois

Une chanson douce

Une poule sur un mur

Une souris verte

V'la le bon vent

Voici le mois de mai

Y avait dix filles dans un pré

About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

Like it? Leave a comment!

Cher propriétaire du site French Moments,

Je tiens à exprimer ma sincère gratitude pour cet article merveilleux sur l’anniversaire en France. J’ai appris tellement de choses intéressantes sur les traditions et les coutumes entourant les anniversaires dans votre magnifique pays. Votre site est une véritable mine d’informations précieuses sur la culture française et je suis reconnaissante de pouvoir en apprendre chaque jour davantage grâce à vos articles informatifs et bien écrits.

Merci infiniment pour votre dévouement à partager avec nous ces connaissances enrichissantes et pour nous permettre de mieux comprendre et apprécier la culture française. Continuez votre excellent travail et merci encore pour cet article festif et joyeux anniversaire !

Cordialement, Charlotte Leo

Avec plaisir, Charlotte !

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How to Write an Essay in French

Have something to say?

When it comes to expressing your thoughts in French , there’s nothing better than the essay.

It is, after all, the favorite form of such famed French thinkers as Montaigne, Chateaubriand, Houellebecq and Simone de Beauvoir.

In this post, I’ve outlined the four most common types of essays in French, ranked from easiest to most difficult, to help you get to know this concept better. 

Why Are French Essays Different?

Must-have french phrases for writing essays, 4 types of french essays and how to write them, 1. text summary (synthèse de texte).

• 2. Text Commentary (Commentaire de texte)

3. Dialectic Dissertation (Thèse, Antithèse, Synthèse)

• 4. Progressive Dissertation (Plan progressif)

And one more thing...

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Writing an essay in French is not the same as those typical 5-paragraph essays you’ve probably written in English.

In fact, there’s a whole other logic that has to be used to ensure that your essay meets French format standards and structure. It’s not merely writing your ideas in another language .

And that’s because the French use Cartesian logic (also known as Cartesian doubt) , developed by René Descartes , which requires a writer to begin with what is known and then lead the reader through to the logical conclusion: a paragraph that contains the thesis. Through the essay, the writer will reject all that is not certain or all that is subjective in his or her quest to find the objective truth.

Sound intriguing? Read on for more!

Before we get to the four main types of essays, here are a few French phrases that will be especially helpful as you delve into essay-writing in French:

Introductory phrases , which help you present new ideas.

Connecting phrases , which help you connect ideas and sections.

Contrasting phrases , which help you juxtapose two ideas.

Concluding phrases , which help you to introduce your conclusion.

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The text summary or synthèse de texte  is one of the easiest French writing exercises to get a handle on. It essentially involves reading a text and then summarizing it in an established number of words, while repeating no phrases that are in the original text. No analysis is called for.

A  synthèse de texte  should follow the same format as the text that is being synthesized. The arguments should be presented in the same way, and no major element of the original text should be left out of the  synthèse.

Here is an informative post about writing a synthèse de texte , written for French speakers. 

The text summary is a great exercise for exploring the following French language elements:

• Synonyms , as you will need to find other words to describe what is said in the original text.
• Nominalization , which involves turning verbs into nouns and generally cuts down on word count.
• Vocabulary , as the knowledge of more exact terms will allow you to avoid periphrases and cut down on word count.

While beginners may wish to work with only one text, advanced learners can synthesize as many as three texts in one text summary. 

Since a text summary is simple in its essence, it’s a great writing exercise that can accompany you through your entire learning process.

2. Text Commentary  (Commentaire de texte)

A text commentary or commentaire de texte   is the first writing exercise where the student is asked to present an analysis of the materials at hand, not just a summary.

That said, a  commentaire  de texte  is not a reaction piece. It involves a very delicate balance of summary and opinion, the latter of which must be presented as impersonally as possible. This can be done either by using the third person (on) or the general first person plural (nous) . The singular first person (je) should never be used in a  commentaire de texte.

A commentaire de texte  should be written in three parts:

• An introduction , where the text is presented.
• An argument , where the text is analyzed.
• A conclusion , where the analysis is summarized and elevated.

Here is a handy in-depth guide to writing a successful commentaire de texte,  written for French speakers.

Unlike with the synthesis, you will not be able to address all elements of a text in a commentary. You should not summarize the text in a commentary, at least not for the sake of summarizing. Every element of the text that you speak about in your commentary must be analyzed.

To successfully analyze a text, you will need to brush up on your figurative language. Here are some great resources to get you started:

• Here’s an introduction to figurative language in French.
• This guide to figurative language  presents the different elements in useful categories.
• This guide , intended for high school students preparing for the BAC—the exam all French high school students take, which they’re required to pass to go to university—is great for seeing examples of how to integrate figurative language into your commentaries.
• Speaking of which, here’s an example of a corrected commentary from the BAC, which will help you not only include figurative language but get a head start on writing your own commentaries.

The French answer to the 5-paragraph essay is known as the  dissertation .  Like the American 5-paragraph essay, it has an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion. The stream of logic, however, is distinct.

There are actually two kinds of  dissertation,  each of which has its own rules.

The first form of  dissertation  is the dialectic dissertation , better known as  thèse, antithèse, synthèse . In this form, there are actually only two body paragraphs. After the introduction, a thesis is posited. Following the thesis, its opposite, the antithesis, is explored (and hopefully, debunked). The final paragraph, what we know as the conclusion, is the  synthesis , which addresses the strengths of the thesis, the strengths and weaknesses of the antithesis, and concludes with the reasons why the original thesis is correct.

For example, imagine that the question was, “Are computers useful to the development of the human brain?” You could begin with a section showing the ways in which computers are useful for the progression of our common intelligence—doing long calculations, creating in-depth models, etc.

Then you would delve into the problems that computers pose to human intelligence, citing examples of the ways in which spelling proficiency has decreased since the invention of spell check, for example. Finally, you would synthesize this information and conclude that the “pro” outweighs the “con.”

The key to success with this format is developing an outline before writing. The thesis must be established, with examples, and the antithesis must be supported as well. When all of the information has been organized in the outline, the writing can begin, supported by the tools you have learned from your mastery of the synthesis and commentary.

Here are a few tools to help you get writing:

• Here’s a great guide to writing a dialectic dissertation .
• Here’s an example of a plan for a dialectic dissertation , showing you the three parts of the essay as well as things to consider when writing a dialectic dissertation.

4. Progressive Dissertation ( Plan progressif)

The progressive dissertation is slightly less common, but no less useful, than the first form.

The progressive form basically consists of examining an idea via multiple points of view—a sort of deepening of the understanding of the notion, starting with a superficial perspective and ending with a deep and profound analysis.

If the dialectic dissertation is like a scale, weighing pros and cons of an idea, the progressive dissertation is like peeling an onion, uncovering more and more layers as you get to the deeper crux of the idea.

Concretely, this means that you will generally follow this layout:

• A first, elementary exploration of the idea.
• A second, more philosophical exploration of the idea.
• A third, more transcendent exploration of the idea.

This format for the dissertation is more commonly used for essays that are written in response to a philosophical question, for example, “What is a person?” or “What is justice?”

Let’s say the question was, “What is war?” In the first part, you would explore dictionary definitions—a basic idea of war, i.e. an armed conflict between two parties, usually nations. You could give examples that back up this definition, and you could narrow down the definition of the subject as much as needed. For example, you might want to make mention that not all conflicts are wars, or you might want to explore whether the “War on Terror” is a war.

In the second part, you would explore a more philosophical look at the topic, using a definition that you provide. You first explain how you plan to analyze the subject, and then you do so. In French, this is known as  poser une problématique  (establishing a thesis question), and it usually is done by first writing out a question and then exploring it using examples: “Is war a reflection of the base predilection of humans for violence?”

In the third part, you will take a step back and explore this question from a distance, taking the time to construct a natural conclusion and answer for the question.

This form may not be as useful in as many cases as the first type of essay, but it’s a good form to learn, particularly for those interested in philosophy. Here’s an in-depth guide  to writing a progressive dissertation.

As you progress in French and become more and more comfortable with writing, try your hand at each of these types of writing exercises, and even with other forms of the dissertation . You’ll soon be a pro at everything from a synthèse de texte to a dissertation!

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Writing essays in French Cheat Sheet by JAM

Useful expressions to help structure your A level French essay.

Introd­ucing the first argument

Adding and listing arguments

Listing arguments - start.

Listing arguments - middle

Listing arguments - end

Indicating the reason for something

Expressing contrast / concession

Introd­ucing one's own point of view.

In conclusion

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• Languages: English français (French)
• Published: 21st September, 2013
• Last Updated: 26th February, 2020
• Rated: 5 out of 5 stars based on 9 ratings

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these are very helpful thank you

Simple et utile, j'aime.

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"Bon Anniversaire": Saying Happy Birthday in French

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• Pronunciation & Conversation
• Resources For Teachers

Learn how to say happy birthday in French, and other related vocabulary.

Happy birthday! has two possible translations:

    Bon anniversaire! Joyeux anniversaire!

(Note that anniversaire is a semi-false cognate.)

In Canada, Bonne fête! is commonly used to mean "happy birthday," but it can also be used to wish someone a happy Saint's Day as well as generically to spread good cheer during any holiday .

The French birthday song is very simple and is sung to the same tune as "Happy Birthday to You":

    Joyeux anniversaire Joyeux anniversaire Joyeux anniversaire* Joyeux anniversaire

*The person's name may be sung very quickly at the end of this line.

French Birthday Vocabulary

• birthday -  un anniversaire
• birthday cake - un gâteau d'anniversaire
• birthday card - une carte d'anniversaire
• birthday party - une fête/soirée pour son anniversaire
• birthday present - un cadeau d'anniversaire
• in one's birthday suit - en costume d'Adam / d'Ève
• to blow out the candles, to celebrate one's birthday - souffler ses bougies
• When is your birthday? - Quelle est la date / Quel est le jour de ton anniversaire?
• What did you get for your birthday? -  Qu'est-ce que tu as eu pour ton anniversaire?

French Holiday Wishes

Here are all the French phrases you need to spread good cheer during any holiday:

• Happy Easter! - J oyeuses Pâques! Bonnes Pâques!
• Happy Hanukkah! -  Bonne fête de Hanoukka!
• Happy Bastille Day! - Bonne fête!
• Happy holidays! -  Joyeuses fêtes! Meilleurs vœux!
• Happy New Year! -  Bonne Année!
• Happy Saint's Day! -  Bonne fête!
• Merry  Christmas ! -  Joyeux  Noël !
• Seasons greetings -  Joyeux Noël et bonne Année

Other Good Wishes

• Best wishes -  Mes/Nos meilleurs vœux
• Bon voyage! Have a good trip! -  Bon voyage!
• Cheers! (when toasting) -  Santé! À ta/votre santé!  À la tienne/vôtre! Tchin-tchin!
• Congratulations! -  Félicitations! Toutes mes/nos félicitations!
• Good job! -  Bon travail! Bravo! Bien fait!
• Good luck! -  Bonne chance! Bon courage!
• Have a nice day! -  Bonne journée!
• Have a nice vacation! -  Bonnes vacances!
• I'm so happy for you! -  Je me réjouis pour toi/vous!
• Long live France! -  Vive la France!
• Take care! Watch out for yourself! -  Prends bien soin de toi!
• To David! To your new house! -  À David ! À ta nouvelle maison!

Related French Vocabulary

• gift, present -  un cadeau
• Christmas gift -  un cadeau de Noël
• wedding gift -  un cadeau de mariage
• to give (someone) a present -  faire un cadeau (à quelqu'un)
• to give as a present -  offrir en cadeau
• to receive as a present -  recevoir en cadeau
• gift wrap -  le papier-cadeau
• Is this a present? (Do you want it gift wrapped?) -  C'est pour offrir?

Related French Idiomatic Expressions

Learn some idiomatic French expressions  related to holidays and other special occasions. 

• back to school - la rentrée 
• Cheers! - À la vôtre!
• Enjoy your meal! - Bon appétit!
• Happy New Year! - Bonne Année et bonne santé!
• It's on the house - C'est cadeau 
• What you're wearing is ridiculous - Ce n'est pas mardi gras aujourd'hui 
• huge traffic jams at end of July, beginning of August - le chassé-croisé des juillettistes et des aoûtiens
• to give a present; to let off easily - faire cadeau
• to make it a long (four-day) weekend - faire le pont 
• to have cold and grey weather - faire un temps de Toussaint 
• the big day - le jour J 
• best wishes - meilleurs vœux
• A warm Christmas means a cold Easter - Noël au balcon, Pâques au tison
• Christmas sales - Noël malin
• white Christmas - Noël sous la neige
• Beaujolais nouveau is here - Le nouveau est arrivé
• Long live France! - Vive la France ! 
• Bon Voyage: French Vocabulary Explained
• Common French Phrases
• French Idiomatic Expressions With 'Bon'
• Halloween in France: French-English Bilingual Story
• The French Calendar: Speaking of Days, Weeks, Months and Seasons
• French Expressions with An and Année
• Basic Vocabulary You'll Need to Go Shopping in France
• How to Say Goodbye in French
• How to Use the French Expression "Allons-y"
• How to Use the Typical French Expression 'Ah Bon'
• 11 Synonyms for "Great" in French
• Synonyms for Très
• How to Say ___ in French
• The Universal Wish: 'Bon appétit'
• Learn Some Practical French Phrases for Use in Everyday Life

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Joyeux Anniversaire To You – French Birthdays Posted by John Bauer on Jun 17, 2015 in Culture

Many people in ma famille celebrate their anniversaire (birthday) in juin (June), including me! Aujourd’hui (today) we’re going to take a look at how to wish someone a Happy Birthday.

There are a two ways to say Happy Birthday in French:

Joyeux anniversaire ! Bon anniversaire !

Très souvent (very often) a short phrase is attached:

Passe une très bonne journée !  Have a very good day! Passe une excellente journée ! Have an excellent day!

Of course, no anniversaire is complete with singing Joyeux Annivesaire ( Happy Birthday to You ) before on souffle les bougies de son gâteau d’anniversaire (you blow out the candles on your birthday cake). It’s an easy song and you should try singing it the next time someone celebrates their anniversaire ! Just fill in the blanks with the name of the person celebrating their anniversaire .

Joyeux anniversaire, Joyeux anniversaire, Joyeux anniversaire _________ , Joyeux anniversaire.

Cependant (however), le français is a global language , and au Canada there is a slightly different expression used to wish people joyeux anniversaire :

Bonne fête!

And with this slightly different expression comes a slightly different song, Bonne fête à toi :

Bonne fête _________, Bonne fête_________, Bonne fête, bonne fête, Bonne fête _________.

I wish any other June babies a joyeux anniversaire ! If you want to practice your French, try wishing me a joyeux anniversaire in the comments!

Build vocabulary, practice pronunciation, and more with Transparent Language Online. Available anytime, anywhere, on any device.

About the Author: John Bauer

John Bauer is an enthusiast for all things language and travel. He currently lives in France where he's doing his Master's. John came to France four years ago knowing nothing about the language or the country, but through all the mistakes over the years, he's started figuring things out.

Joseph T. Madawela:

joyeux anniversaire et Merci Beaucoup pour le blog

John Bauer:

@Joseph T. Madawela Bonjour Joseph ! Merci beaucoup pour votre message !

So funny! Yesterday was also my birthday! 😀

@Alma C’est drôle ! I hope you had a great birthday yesterday!

Lacygnette:

Bon anniversaire. J’ai aussi un anniversaire en Juin. Alors, joyeux anniversaire a moi.

@Lacygnette Joyeux anniversaire !

Joyeux Annioversaire et bonne Journee!

Joyeux anniversaire. Passe un bonne journée. Ma famille et moi, nous avons fêter mon anniversaire hier.

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Mon anniversaire/My birthday in French

Subject: French

Age range: 11-14

Resource type: Game/puzzle/quiz

Last updated

17 September 2018

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Thank you for sharing.

Empty reply does not make any sense for the end user

joanneltowers

merci, tres utile

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