French Phrase
Ce décembre est plus froid que d'habitude.
Meaning
The sentence states that the current December is colder than what is normally experienced. It makes a direct comparison between this year's weather and the typical climate for the month.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are talking about the weather in December and want to highlight that it feels unusually chilly compared to the usual temperature.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Cedécembreestplusfroidqued'habitude.
Ce (demonstrative adjective)
Ce points to a specific noun (here, décembre) and agrees in gender and number with it.
être (to be)
Est is the third‑person singular present of être, used to link the subject with its description.
plus … que (comparative)
The structure plus + adjective + que expresses ‘more … than’. The adjective stays in its base form.
froid (cold)
A simple adjective that does not change in the comparative construction.
d'habitude (adverbial phrase)
Literally ‘of habit’, it means ‘usually’ or ‘as usual’ and is placed after the comparison.
🗨In Conversation
Ce décembre est plus froid que d'habitude.
This December is colder than usual.
Oui, j'ai dû mettre mon manteau chaque jour.
Yes, I had to wear my coat every day.
✕Common Mistakes
Ce décembre est plus froid que de habitude.
The correct contracted form is d'habitude; the space changes the meaning.
Ce décembre plus froid que d'habitude est.
The comparative clause ends with the adjective, not with the verb "est".
Ce décembre est plus froid que d'habitude.
Make sure to write the month with the correct accent: décembre.
↔Alternatives
Ce mois de décembre est plus froid que d'habitude.
This month of December is colder than usual.
Décembre est plus froid que d'habitude cette année.
December is colder than usual this year.
Il fait plus froid en décembre que d'habitude.
It is colder in December than usual.
Cultural Tip
Talking about the weather is a classic ice‑breaker in French‑speaking cultures. "D'habitude" is a very common way to express a habitual comparison, and it always stays in its contracted form (never *de habitude*). In everyday speech, many people prefer "Ce mois de décembre" over the shorter "Ce décembre" for clarity.