first in French: premiers

Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for first

fiscal

actionnaires

premiers

cent

législation

Skip this question

🎓

Learn French for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use 'premiers' when discussing rankings, like in sports or competitions, as in 'les premiers de la classe' (the top students). It’s also used in everyday conversations to denote the first item in a list or sequence, such as 'les premiers pas' (the first steps) in a project or a journey.

Synonyms & nuances

'Premiers' can be closely related to 'premier', but while 'premier' is used as an adjective, 'premiers' can function as both an adjective and a noun. You’d use 'premiers' when referring to the first in a countable series, whereas 'premier' would describe something that is the best or highest in quality.

Culture

The word 'premiers' stems from the Latin 'primarius', meaning 'first' or 'principal'. In French, this root has evolved to encompass both time and importance, making it a versatile term. Interestingly, in the context of French cinema, the term 'premiers' can also refer to the first showings of films at festivals, adding a cultural layer to its usage.

FAQ

Q.What does 'premiers' mean in English?

'Premiers' translates to 'first' in English and is used to denote something that comes before all others in order or importance.

Q.How do you use 'premiers' in a sentence?

You can use 'premiers' in sentences like 'Les premiers livres de la série sont les plus populaires', meaning 'The first books of the series are the most popular'.

Q.Are there any common mistakes with 'premiers'?

A common mistake is confusing 'premiers' with 'premier'. Remember, 'premiers' is plural and should agree with plural nouns, while 'premier' is singular.

Learn french with Maspeak →

2000 French Words