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In French, there are two words to talk about the different moments of the day (matin/matinée, soir/soirée), days (jour/journée) and years (an/année), and to know which one to use, it depends on the way you consider these periods as whole units of time, or in their durations.
Learn when to use 'an/année', 'jour/journée', 'matin/matinée' and 'soir/soirée' in French
1.
When we talk about this time of the day or the day or the year as a precise moment, a time unit in which an action took place, we use the masculine forms: un an (a year), le jour (the day), le matin (the morning), le soir (the evening).
2.
When we consider that part of the day or this day or year in its duration, when we emphasise the length of time, we use the feminine forms: une année (a year), la journée (the day), la matinée (the morning), la soirée (the evening).
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