Les derniers jours ont été glacials

Julianne Q.B2Kwiziq community member

Les derniers jours ont été glacials

The translation from this phrase is ‘the last days have been freezing’ - shouldn’t it be ‘les jours derniers’ as dernier in front of the noun implies the last time ever while after implies last most recent time according the the lesson on placement of dernier in relation to the noun

Asked 5 years ago
Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Actually dernier precedes the noun when it means most recent. For example, "son dernier livre" = "his latest book". It comes after the noun when it means previous.

So perhaps "les derniers jours" means the last few days (including today) and "les jours derniers" the previous days (but not today)?

 

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Strictly speaking, you are correct. But the French are all but strict. Often dernier precedes the noun and that seems to be the kind of default placement, when there is no real danger of misunderstanding.

Les derniers jours ont été glacials

The translation from this phrase is ‘the last days have been freezing’ - shouldn’t it be ‘les jours derniers’ as dernier in front of the noun implies the last time ever while after implies last most recent time according the the lesson on placement of dernier in relation to the noun

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