Prochain/Dernier = Next/Last + [durations] in French
In French, to express next and last, you use prochain and dernier. Let's find out how to use them.
How to say next/last in French
Look at the examples:
Le weekend prochain, nous allons à Briançon.Next weekend, we're going to Briançon.
La semaine dernière, j'ai rencontré ses parents.Last week, I met her parents.
Le mois dernier, j'ai passé deux semaines à l'étranger.Last month, I spent two weeks abroad.
L'année prochaine, il commence l'université.Next year, he's starting university.
In French when you say next/last + [generic duration term] (month, week, year...), you will use :
le/la/l' + [duration term] + prochain/prochaine (next)
le/la/l' + [duration term] + dernier/dernière (last)
Note that to say the next day or the following day in French, you use le lendemain, and the previous day/the day before is la veille.
See also the more advanced Expressing "the day after/the day before" in French with "demain/hier" vs "le lendemain/la veille" vs "le jour suivant/le jour précédent" (French Expressions of Time)
ATTENTION:
With specific days (next Monday, last Friday, ...), you don't use the definite article le :
[day of the week] + dernier / prochain
Mardi prochain, elle va à un concert.Next Tuesday, she is going to a concert.
Jeudi dernier, je t'ai donné mon cœur.Last Thursday, I gave you my heart.
With specific months (last February, next March, ...), you use :
en + [month] + dernier / prochain
En janvier dernier, Simon a emménagé en France.Last January, Simon moved to France.
En septembre prochain, Gareth visitera Madrid.Next September, Gareth will visit Madrid.
With seasons (last summer, next spring, ...), you use :
l' + [été/automne/hiver] + dernier / prochain
l'/à l' + [automne] + dernier / prochain
au + [printemps] + dernier / prochain
l'/à l' + [automne] + dernier / prochain
au + [printemps] + dernier / prochain
L'été dernier, j'ai visité la cathédrale de Chartres.Last summer, I visited Chartres's cathedral.
J'ai rencontré François à l'automne dernier.I met François last autumn [US: fall].
Où irez-vous l'hiver prochain ?Where will you go next winter?
Elle commencera son apprentissage au printemps prochain.She'll start her apprenticeship next spring.
Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »
