French Phrase
Le printemps commence en mars.
Meaning
This phrase is a factual statement describing the timing of the seasons. It indicates that the season of spring officially starts during the month of March.
When to use
Use this phrase when discussing the calendar, the weather, or general facts about the seasons in the Northern Hemisphere.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Leprintempscommenceenmars
Le printemps
French seasons are masculine nouns and typically require the definite article 'le' or 'l''.
Commence
This is the present tense of the verb 'commencer', conjugated for the third person singular.
En mars
The preposition 'en' is used before months of the year to mean 'in'.
🗨In Conversation
Quand est-ce que les jours deviennent plus longs ?
When do the days become longer?
Le printemps commence en mars, c'est à ce moment-là.
Spring begins in March, that is when it happens.
✕Common Mistakes
Le printemps commence au mars.
In French, use the preposition 'en' before months, not 'au'.
Printemps commence en mars.
French seasons usually require the definite article 'le' or 'l''.
↔Alternatives
Le printemps débute en mars.
Spring starts in March.
C'est le printemps en mars.
It is spring in March.
Cultural Tip
In France, the official start of spring is often associated with the spring equinox. While March marks the calendar start, French people often wait until May to truly celebrate the warm weather, as expressed in the proverb 'En mai, fais ce qu'il te plaît'.