Level A2 (Upper Beginner)
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 le Nouvel An, meaning “New Year” or “the New Year.” In this lesson, I’ll answer a key question: Why is “New Year” in French le Nouvel An and not la nouvelle année? Keep reading, listen to Marie’s audio examples, and it will all make sense.
✅ Meaning
✅ Pronunciation
✅ Example sentences
✅ Related Words & Expressions
✅ Related lessons
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📘 Nouvel An meaning in French
Le Nouvel An means “New Year” in French. It refers mainly to January 1, the holiday that marks the start of a new calendar year, as well as the New Year period in general. The phrase literally means “new year,” with nouvel being the masculine form of nouveau (new) used before vowel sounds, as in an (year). Le Nouvel An is associated with Bonne année (Happy New Year), le réveillon du Nouvel An (the festive evening), and la Saint-Sylvestre (New Year’s Eve).
❓ Nouvel An vs nouvelle année
Le Nouvel An (masculine) refers specifically to the point in time or event, such as New Year’s Day or the celebration itself. Conversely, la nouvelle année (feminine) refers to the duration and quality of the entire upcoming 365-day period. For example:
👉 Qu’est-ce que tu fais pour le Nouvel An ? What are you doing for New Year’s?
👉 Je vous souhaite une excellente nouvelle année. I wish you an excellent new year.
💡 This lesson explains an vs. année in detail.
🎧 Nouvel An pronunciation in French
The pronunciation of nouvel an is: /nu.vɛl ɑ̃/ (IPA), which sounds like “noo-vel ahn.”
📝 Nouvel an usage examples
Le Nouvel An est la fête qui marque le début d’une nouvelle année.
The New Year is the holiday that marks the beginning of a new year.
Nous fêtons le Nouvel An en famille et restons éveillés jusqu’à minuit.
We celebrate New Year with family and stay awake until midnight.
Ils passent le réveillon du Nouvel An chez leurs parents.
They spend New Year’s Eve at their parents’ house.
Elle prend des résolutions pour le Nouvel An.
She makes resolutions for the New Year.
More New Year’s Vocabulary
Explore more essential French words and expressions used around New Year’s celebrations. Each lesson features native French audio by Marie Assel Cambier.
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🔗 Related words and expressions
- la Saint-Sylvestre — New Year’s Eve
- le réveillon du Nouvel An — New Year’s Eve dinner
- Bonne année ! — Happy New Year!
- les résolutions du Nouvel An — New Year’s resolutions
- minuit — midnight
- le compte à rebours — countdown
- trinquer — to toast (with drinks)
📚 Related lessons on FrenchLearner!
👉 la Saint-Sylvestre — meaning and usage »
👉 le réveillon — Christmas / New Year’s Eve dinner »
👉 Bonne année — pronunciation and examples »
👉 French Christmas (holidays) lessons hub »
👉 nouveau, nouvelle (new) »
🚀 Continue learning French online on FrenchLearner!
👉 French Word of the Day »
👉 French Vocabulary lists »
👉 French for beginners guide »
👉 French song lyrics hub »
❓ Nouvel an — Common Questions
How do you say “New Year” in French?
You can say le Nouvel An to refer to New Year’s Day (January 1) or the New Year celebration. To wish someone a happy new year, French speakers say Bonne année !
What is the difference between le Nouvel An and la nouvelle année?
Le Nouvel An refers to New Year’s Day (January 1) and the celebration marking the start of the year.
La nouvelle année refers to the year itself, meaning the twelve-month period that begins after January 1. In short, le Nouvel An is the event or holiday, while la nouvelle année is the new year you are entering.
Is le Nouvel An the same as la Saint-Sylvestre?
No. La Saint-Sylvestre is New Year’s Eve (December 31), while le Nouvel An is New Year’s Day (January 1).
