l'année où Hitler est né....that would be a precise time an action took place, right? The lesson confirms that such a date would be an, not année.

Ann H.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

l'année où Hitler est né....that would be a precise time an action took place, right? The lesson confirms that such a date would be an, not année.

Asked 5 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Ann,

There are exceptions to the rule and these are quite frequent when using 'an' .

I would say 'année' is used more frequently  than 'an'.

We say -

L' an 0 

Le nouvel an 

L'an 2000

'Le Nouvel an chinois 2019 est l'année du cochon'

is an example when talking about the same year using both words.

Not easy ....

 

S. B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I am more confused than ever

Tom A.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

In Cécile's advice all the 'an' examples mark out one year as opposed to other years, like pins in a calendar. Once you zoom in on the year and say something descriptive about it, like it's a good year, the year of the pig, the year when Hitler was born, then it becomes 'année'.

l'année où Hitler est né....that would be a precise time an action took place, right? The lesson confirms that such a date would be an, not année.

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