French Phrase
C'est mardi.
Meaning
This is a basic French phrase used to identify the current day of the week. It combines the demonstrative 'ce' with the verb 'être' to state a fact about the calendar.
When to use
Use this phrase when someone asks for the day, or when you are confirming an appointment or schedule. It is a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal environments.
✦Grammar Breakdown
C'estmardi
C'est
A contraction of 'ce' (this/it) and 'est' (is), used to identify people or things.
mardi
The French word for Tuesday. Note that days of the week are masculine in gender.
🗨In Conversation
On est quel jour aujourd'hui ?
What day is it today?
C'est mardi.
It's Tuesday.
✕Common Mistakes
Il est mardi.
While 'it is' translates to 'il est' in many contexts, 'c'est' is required when identifying the day of the week.
C'est le mardi.
Do not use the definite article 'le' when you are stating what today is; 'le' is used for recurring events on Tuesdays.
↔Alternatives
On est mardi.
It's Tuesday (Common/Informal).
Nous sommes mardi.
We are Tuesday (Formal).
Cultural Tip
In French, the days of the week are not capitalized unless they start a sentence. Tuesday is also the namesake for 'Mardi Gras' (Fat Tuesday), which is the famous celebration occurring the day before Ash Wednesday.