Last days versus last days of the year - "dernier"

Patricia E.B2Kwiziq community member

Last days versus last days of the year - "dernier"

Regarding "Les derniers jours de l'année sont toujours plus courts." and, "Les jours derniers, j'étais un peu malade." I'm unsure about the reasoning for the positioning of derniers in the second sentence. Is it because they are not "final" days because that would imply that the person is dying and the sentence says there are only a little sick so therefore dernier goes after jours?
Asked 7 years ago
AurélieNative French expert teacher in Kwiziq
Bonjour Patricia ! Here "les jours derniers" means "these last days", i.e. the last days that just passed before this statement. Here they are not the end of something, but simply previous to the present moment. I hope that's helpful! Merci et à bientôt !
Patricia E. asked:

Last days versus last days of the year - "dernier"

Regarding "Les derniers jours de l'année sont toujours plus courts." and, "Les jours derniers, j'étais un peu malade." I'm unsure about the reasoning for the positioning of derniers in the second sentence. Is it because they are not "final" days because that would imply that the person is dying and the sentence says there are only a little sick so therefore dernier goes after jours?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Thinking...