Il fait vs C'est

Trevor P.A1Kwiziq community member

Il fait vs C'est

So, in the real world, I won't hear "C'est humide" if I ask about the weather on a rainy day?

Asked 4 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Trevor, 

For an atmospheric condition, you will use 'faire humide'.

For instance, you might say about Singapore-

À Singapour, il fait chaud et humide toute l'année = It's hot and humid in Singapore all year round

 

Trevor P.A1Kwiziq community member

Cheers Cécile,

"C'est humide" would be me "Anglicising" the translation. I suspect that there would be many colloquial responses which, though incorrect, would be in common usage - at least that's how it is in my world. That would be something for learning "on the spot", not in class.

Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Just to follow this up as the comment suggests there may be something overly academic about Cécile’s answer here - it is exceedingly unlikely you would ever hear (never say never, but never fits here) a native French speaker use ‘c’est quelque chose (adjective)’ in reference to the weather - ‘Il (faire)’ or ‘Il y (avoir).  If ‘c’est’ is an anglicisme heard anywhere for weather, then it is one used by anglophones.

It sounds every bit as weird in French as “It makes hot” does in English.

Trevor P. asked:

Il fait vs C'est

So, in the real world, I won't hear "C'est humide" if I ask about the weather on a rainy day?

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