French Phrase
Hier, c'était dimanche.
Meaning
This phrase uses the imperfect tense to describe a state or condition in the past. In French, when talking about dates, times, or days in the past, the 'imparfait' (c'était) is used rather than the 'passé composé' because it describes a continuous background state. It provides context for a narrative or simply clarifies the previous day's identity.
When to use
Use this phrase in casual or formal conversation to identify what day it was yesterday. It is most frequently used when recounting events from the weekend or explaining why businesses were closed.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Hier,c'étaitdimanche
Hier
An adverb meaning 'yesterday'. It is often placed at the beginning or end of a sentence for emphasis.
C'était
The contraction of 'ce' (it/this) and 'était' (was). This is the imperfect form of the verb 'être' used for descriptions.
Dimanche
Days of the week are not capitalized in French unless they start the sentence.
🗨In Conversation
Pourquoi les magasins étaient-ils fermés ?
Why were the shops closed?
Hier, c'était dimanche.
Yesterday, it was Sunday.
✕Common Mistakes
Hier, c'a été dimanche.
Avoid using the passé composé for dates or days in the past; the imperfect 'c'était' is the standard way to describe past states.
Hier était dimanche.
In French, you must use the 'ce' pronoun (c'était) to introduce the day, unlike English which can sometimes omit it.
↔Alternatives
On était dimanche hier.
We were Sunday yesterday (idiomatic French).
C'était dimanche.
It was Sunday.
Cultural Tip
In France and many Francophone countries, Sunday is traditionally a day of rest where most shops and services are closed. Saying 'C'était dimanche' often serves as a subtle explanation for why a street was quiet or why a specific errand couldn't be completed.