To translate - the day when I go on holiday will be super - do I use où or quand for the word when?

John B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

To translate - the day when I go on holiday will be super - do I use où or quand for the word when?

This question relates to:French lesson "Où can mean where AND when (French Relative Pronouns)"

Asked 6 years ago

Like0Answer3

CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi John,

The expression is 'le jour où' in French -

Le jour où je suis arrivé(e), il a plu= The day (that) I arrived it rained.

Le jour où je serai à la retraite, sera un jour de bonheur pour moi.= The day (that) I retire will be a happy one for me.

In your example-

Le jour où je partirai en vacances, ce sera génial.

Hope this helps!

Like16 years ago

John B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

That's perfect, thanks.

Like06 years ago

John B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Hi Cecile,

You give the example of “le jour où je serai marié” or “le jour où je serai à la retraite, sera un jour de bonheur” as a example of the use of où as a relative pronoun. But Ron, in another post, has said the où can only be used to mean “when” in the context of a time frame that has passed. In your example the time frame is in the future. Is Ron mistaken?

Thanks

John

Like05 years ago

John B. asked:

To translate - the day when I go on holiday will be super - do I use où or quand for the word when?

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« There are so many variances in relation to this verb, I suggest tests be made that cover JUST the nuances herein.In the exercise quelques livres is translated as a couple of books as well as some books. »

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