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A2 French Word Pair

An vs Année: Two Ways to Say Year

an vs année

0:52 min video · 3 sentences · 3 key words

Transcript with English

Hide the English to test yourself.
  1. Il habite ici depuis un an.He has lived here for a year.
  2. Cette année, je change de travail.This year, I am changing jobs.
  3. Bonne année à tous !Happy New Year, everyone!

About this lesson

A short lesson on when French uses an and when it uses année, with three adult-life examples where only one word fits.

How to practise

  1. Before each example plays, pick the word that fits and say your answer out loud.
  2. Read the difference card, then repeat every example in the À toi · Your turn pause.
  3. At the end, check the common mistake so you never make it again.

The difference: an vs année

  • an year (a count). After a number: ages, dates, counted years
  • année year (a span). With adjectives or cette, chaque, toute, or greetings

Common mistake: Je travaille ici depuis trois années. ✗ · Je travaille ici depuis trois ans. ✓ (After a plain number, French uses an, not année.)

Which one fits?

Say the missing word out loud first, then open the answer.

  1. Il habite ici depuis un ＿＿

    an / année · A single counted year, after a number

    Show the answer

    Il habite ici depuis un an.

    He has lived here for a year.

  2. Cette ＿＿ je change de travail.

    an / année · Describing a whole year, with 'this'

    Show the answer

    Cette année, je change de travail.

    This year, I am changing jobs.

  3. Bonne ＿＿ à tous !

    an / année · A New Year wish at midnight

    Show the answer

    Bonne année à tous !

    Happy New Year, everyone!

Key words

FrenchEnglishLevel
anyear (a count)
annéeyear (a span)
un ana year (counted)

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