Level A1-A2 (Beginner)
Published November 25, 2025 — Lesson written by French teacher David Issokson for students who want to learn French online, with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier, a voice artist from France.
The French Word of the Day is Action de grâce, meaning “Thanksgiving,” and it’s the standard expression for both the Canadian and American holiday. Today’s lesson answers a question almost every student asks: Why does “Action de grâce” include the words action and grâce? Keep reading and we’ll break it down. Joyeuse Action de grâce — Happy Thanksgiving!
✅ Meaning
✅ Pronunciation
✅ Example sentences
✅ Related Words & Expressions
✅ Related lessons
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Action de grâce Meaning, Pronunciation and Examples
📘 Action de grâce meaning
Action de grâce means “thanksgiving” in French. The expression literally translates to “act of thanks,” which explains why the French term includes the word action. Translations for grâce include “grace,” “favor,” and, in certain expressions, “thanks.” It serves as the official French name of the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday, celebrated in October to mark the end of the harvest season.
🦃 Cultural note
While l’Action de grâce is a national holiday in Canada, the celebration does not exist in France. French speakers in France usually use the term only when referring to Canadian or American traditions. In Canada, however, the holiday focuses on family gatherings, food, and giving thanks — similar to the U.S. holiday, but held earlier in the year.
🎧 Action de grâce pronunciation
The pronunciation of Action de grâce is /aksjɔ̃ də ɡʁɑs/, which sounds like ak-syohn duh grahss.
📝 Action de grâce examples & usages
Joyeuse Action de grâce, tout le monde !
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Nous célébrons l’Action de grâce en famille.
We celebrate Thanksgiving with family.
J’adore la tarte à la citrouille pour l’Action de grâce.
I love pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.
L’Action de grâce a lieu en octobre au Canada.
Thanksgiving takes place in October in Canada.
👉 See also: French Thanksgiving vocabulary (with audio) »
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🔗 Related words and expressions
- reconnaissant(e) — grateful
- le repas — meal
- le festin — feast
- le plat traditionnel — traditional dish
- la tarte à la citrouille — pumpkin pie
- la farce — stuffing
- la sauce gravy — gravy (Canadian)
- remercier — to thank
- la famille — family
- se réunir — to gather
📚 Related lessons on FrenchLearner!
👉 French food vocabulary »
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👉 famille (family) »
👉 apporter (to bring) »
👉 servir (to serve) »
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