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
- 0:04
- 0:23
- 0:35
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
- Before each example plays, pick the word that fits and say your answer out loud.
- Read the difference card, then repeat every example in the À toi · Your turn pause.
- 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.
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.
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.
Bonne ＿＿ à tous !
an / année · A New Year wish at midnight
Show the answer
Bonne année à tous !
Happy New Year, everyone!
Key words
| French | English | Level |
|---|---|---|
| an | year (a count) | |
| année | year (a span) | |
| un an | a year (counted) |
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