French word

an

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounyear

Example

Je travaillerai à l'étranger pendant un an.

I will work abroad for one year.

Illustration for an (year)

More examples

Il y a un an, j'ai commencé ce travail.

A year ago, I started this job.

Core concept

A twelve-month segment treated as one countable step through time.

Common phrases

  • un an

    one year

  • pendant un an

    for one year

  • il y a un an

    a year ago

Similar words

année: A specific year viewed as a whole, including its associated events.
âge: A person's or animal's age expressed in years.
mois: A calendar month, one of the twelve parts of a year.

Definition in French

Intervalle de temps équivalant à douze mois, employé pour compter les années ou indiquer l'âge.

Word origin

An is inherited from Latin annus, while année is a related French formation used more readily for a year considered as a period or event.

Usage tips

  • Année is often preferred when a whole year is framed as a period or linked to a specific event, while an is common for counting duration.

Related words

Word lists with this word