The French word l’hiver is straightforward—it means “winter.” But to truly master it, you need to know how it’s used in everyday expressions, cultural contexts, and the word family it belongs to.
Latin “hibernum” (winter, wintry weather) from “hibernus” (of winter)
→ 10th Century – Old French: “iver”
→ Modern French: “hiver” (the “h” was added in the 16th century)
Use the context to translate l’hiver in English. The meanings below are used in all Francophone countries, in all contexts from formal to informal.
The season: L’hiver est long au Canada. Winter is long in Canada.
Time period: En hiver, il neige souvent. In winter, it snows often.
Metaphorical: L’hiver de la vie. The winter of life (old age)
Nous sommes passionnés de sports d’hiver
We are passionate about winter sports
Il fait un froid de canard cet hiver
It’s freezing cold this winter
Ce temps hivernal me déprime
This wintery weather depresses me
Beginner Expressions
| Cet hiver | This winter |
| En hiver | In winter, during winter |
| L’hiver arrive | Winter is coming |
| L’hiver dernier | Last winter |
| L’hiver prochain | Next winter |
| Tout l’hiver | All winter long |
| Les vêtements d’hiver | Winter clothes |
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Intermediate Expressions
| Au cœur de l’hiver | In the heart of winter |
| En plein hiver | In the middle of winter |
| Les sports d’hiver | Winter sports |
| Passer l’hiver | To spend the winter |
| Un hiver doux | A mild winter |
| Un hiver rigoureux | A harsh winter |
| Les vacances d’hiver | Winter vacation |
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Advanced expressions
| L’hiver de la vie | The winter of life (old age) |
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| Être hivernal-e | To be wintery, winter-like |
| L’hivernage | The hibernation |
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