for summer...ete or l'ete, how do i know which one to use?...sometimes its cet ete...sometimes its l'ete...its confusing.
Bonjour, Miche! This depends upon whether you want to say "the summer" = l'été or "this summer" = cet été. "In the summer" = en été.
Mme
cet ete means this summer. l'ete means the summer. any time you see l'- it means the. so when you are talking about 'the summer' use l'ete. (for example: pendent l'ete- during THE summer) whenever you are saying 'this summer' use cet ete. (for example: Qu'est-ce que tu as faire CET ete?- what did you do THIS summer?)
Determining whether to use "eté" or "l'été" in French depends on the context and grammar rules. Let me explain how to decide.
1. "Eté" (été without an article): This is the basic form of the word. It is used as a noun by itself, without any specific article in front of it. For example:
- "Je vais en vacances en été." (I'm going on vacation in summer.)
- "L'été est ma saison préférée." (Summer is my favorite season.)
- "J'aime me baigner en été." (I like swimming in summer.)
2. "L'été" (été with the definite article "l'"): This form is used when referring to summer in a more specific or particular context. The definite article "l'" is required before "été" in certain cases, such as:
- Before an adjective: e.g., "L'été chaud et ensoleillé" (The hot and sunny summer)
- After a preposition: e.g., "Pendant l'été" (During the summer)
- Before a possessive adjective: e.g., "J'aime me promener avec mon chien pendant l'été." (I like walking my dog during the summer)
3. "Cet été": This form is used when "été" is preceded by the demonstrative adjective "cet." "Cet été" literally translates to "this summer" and is used to refer to the upcoming or current summer. For example:
- "Cet été, je vais voyager en Europe." (This summer, I'm going to travel in Europe.)
- "Cet été, nous allons organiser une fête." (This summer, we are going to throw a party.)
In summary, use "eté" by itself when speaking generally about summer. Use "l'été" when referring to summer in a specific or particular context. Use "cet été" when talking about the upcoming or current summer. Pay attention to the grammar rules and context to determine which form to choose.