#47 Giving a Presentation｜French Business Phrases
Izumi French Garden
#141 Spending New Year’s Eve｜French Daily Life Phrases
Izumi
New Year’s Eve (le réveillon du Nouvel An) is a special occasion that marks the end of the year and the beginning of a new one.
In France, people spend this evening in various ways, such as gathering with family or friends, enjoying a meal together, and counting down to midnight.
In this article, I introduce commonly used French expressions related to New Year’s Eve, along with a sample conversation and detailed explanations.
Contents
Dialogue
Qu’est-ce que tu fais pour le réveillon cette année ?
（What are you doing for New Year’s Eve this year?）
Je vais passer la soirée chez des amis. On prévoit un dîner et un compte à rebours à minuit.
（I’m going to spend the evening at some friends’ place. We’re planning to have dinner and do a countdown at midnight.）
Ça a l’air sympa. Vous allez sortir après minuit ?
（That sounds nice. Are you going out after midnight?）
Peut-être. On aimerait regarder les feux d’artifice si le temps le permet.
（Maybe. We’d like to watch the fireworks if the weather allows.）
Et le lendemain, tu fais quelque chose de spécial ?
（And are you doing anything special the next day?）
Pas vraiment. Je compte me reposer et commencer l’année tranquillement.
（Not really. I plan to rest and start the year quietly.）
1. Asking About New Year’s Eve Plans
As the end of the year approaches, it is common to talk about plans for New Year’s Eve.
In French, the following expression is frequently used when asking about someone’s plans.
Example
- Qu’est-ce que tu fais pour le réveillon ?
（What are you doing for New Year’s Eve?）
The term “le réveillon” refers to the festive meal or gathering held on New Year’s Eve night.
In French, December 31 as a date is expressed as “le 31 décembre” or “la Saint-Sylvestre,” while “le réveillon” focuses specifically on how the evening is spent and celebrated.
2. Describing How You Spend New Year’s Eve
When answering about your plans, it is helpful to mention where you will be and who you will spend time with.
Example
- Je vais passer la soirée chez des amis.
（I’m going to spend the evening at some friends’ place.）
The expression “passer la soirée” means “to spend the evening” and is commonly used not only for New Year’s Eve, but also for birthdays and parties.
Related Expressions
- passer la soirée en famille
（to spend the evening with family） - passer la soirée à la maison
（to spend the evening at home）
Next, you can describe what you plan to do.
Example
- On prévoit un dîner et un compte à rebours à minuit.
（We’re planning to have dinner and do a countdown at midnight.）
Here, the verb “prévoir” (to plan) is used to talk about arrangements that have already been decided.
Expressions such as “un compte à rebours” (a countdown) and “à minuit” (at midnight) are typical phrases associated with New Year’s Eve.
3. Talking About Uncertain Plans
If your plans are not fully decided, you can express wishes or possibilities using the following structures.
Example
- On aimerait regarder les feux d’artifice.
（We’d like to watch the fireworks.）
The conditional form “aimerait” conveys the nuance of “wanting to do something, but not having confirmed it yet.”
Adding a condition with “si …” makes the sentence sound more natural.
Example
- si le temps le permet
（if the weather allows）
4. Talking About the New Year and the Following Day
Conversations about New Year’s Eve often naturally extend to how one plans to start the new year.
Example
- Je compte me reposer et commencer l’année tranquillement.
（I plan to rest and start the year quietly.）
The structure “compter + verb” expresses intention or expectation in a calm and neutral tone.
Responses
- Ça a l’air sympa.
（That sounds nice.） - C’est une bonne idée.
（That’s a good idea.） - Ça doit être agréable.
（That must be pleasant.）
Using short reactions like these helps keep the conversation flowing naturally.
Summary
Key French Phrases
- Qu’est-ce que tu fais pour le réveillon ?
→ An expression for asking about New Year’s Eve plans. - Je vais passer la soirée chez des amis / en famille.
→ Used to say where and with whom you will spend the evening. - On prévoit un dîner / un compte à rebours.
→ Expressions for describing specific New Year’s Eve activities. - On aimerait ～ / si le temps le permet.
→ Ways to talk about wishes or undecided plans. - Je compte me reposer / commencer l’année tranquillement.
→ Expressions for describing how you plan to start the new year.
