How to translate "for" in French?
In this episode, you'll learn how to translate "For + [duration]."
("Depuis" vs. "pendant" vs. "pour")
Hello everyone! Bonjour tout le monde. Welcome back to the French Made Easy podcast! This is episode number 103, numéro 103.
I'm very excited about this lesson because I'm going to answer a question I frequently get: "how to translate the preposition "for" in the context of a duration" For example, "I've been learning French "for" 6 months." There's often confusion on how to translate the preposition "for" in that context. Actually, there's a tendency to translate "for" as "pour," which is not always correct. So, that's exactly what we're going to learn in today's lesson.
Ok, so as usual, if you're new to the podcast, make sure you have your lesson's cheat sheet in front of you during the lesson. After the lesson, head over to the French Made Easy library to practice what you've learned today. All the links are in the episode notes.
To translate the preposition "for" + a duration, we can use three words in French, and these three words are not always interchangeable. There are:
"For" is not the only translation for these words, they have lots of other translations possible, but today, for our lesson, we'll only focus on "depuis," "pendant," and "pour" in the context where they are translated as "for" in English.
So which one to choose when translating "for" + a length of time?
As often, it depends on the context.
1) Use "depuis" to indicate the length of time of an action that started in the past and still continues in the present.
And side note, use "depuis" only with the present tense in French. (There are cases where you could use the imperfect tense, but most commonly used with the present tense.)
Ex. Elle apprend le français depuis 6 mois. (She's been learning French for 6 months.)
So she started learning French 6 months ago, so it began in the past, but she's still learning French; there's no indication that she stopped, so it continues in the present. That's why I use "depuis."
2) Use "pendant" to also indicate the length of time of an action, in the past or future, but with a specific timeframe, with a clear beginning and end.
Ils ont habité en France pendant 2 ans. (They lived in France for 2 years.)
We have a duration of 2 years, a specific time frame, in the past. There is no indication that they are still living in France.
Ils habiteront en France pendant 2 ans. (They will live in France for 2 years.)
Here again, in the future tense, duration of 2 years, specific timeframe. There no indication that it will last longer than 2 years.
3) Let's move on to "pour."
Warning. This one is a lot less used in the context of "for" + length of time. I personally don't like to use it in that context, but I know some French speakers might, so that's why I'll teach it to you anyways!
Use "pour" to indicate the INTENDED length of time of an action, in the future, also with a clear beginning and end.
On partira en vacances pour dix jours. (We will go on holidays for 10 days.)
We have a duration of 10 days, a specific timeframe. And because it is in the future, it is an intended duration.
So I know some of you are thinking that you can use "pendant" here instead.
And yes, that's true. Something to be aware of is that in that context of duration, "pour" can always, or let's say pretty much always, be replaced by "pendant."
Ils partiront en vacances pour dix jours. = Ils partiront en vacances pendant dix jours.
But, but, but attention, "pendant" cannot always be replaced by "pour." so be mindful of that.
Alright, so quick recap.
To translate "for" + [duration] use:
Et voilà! Now you know how to translate "for" and a length of time! Don't forget to practice! Head over to the French Made Easy Library, where you can download your lesson's exercises and practice "depuis" vs. "pendant" vs. "pour." I hope you enjoyed today's episode. Thanks so much for listening. And I'll chat with you in the next episode.
À bientôt. 💕