Are Month Names Capitalized in French?

No, month names are not capitalized in French. This is a key difference from English capitalization rules.

Understanding French Capitalization Rules

In French, unlike English, many proper nouns that are capitalized in English are written in lowercase. This applies specifically to the names of days of the week and months of the year. The rule is consistent: whether at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence, month names generally remain in lowercase.

This linguistic convention helps streamline writing and distinguishes French capitalization practices from those of other languages like English.

Practical Examples of Month Names in French

To illustrate this rule, consider the following examples:

English: We are going on vacation in July.
French: Nous partons en vacances en juillet.
English: My birthday is in August.
French: Mon anniversaire est en août.
English: The project starts next Monday, in September.
French: Le projet commence lundi prochain, en septembre.

Here's a comparison table highlighting the difference:

English Month	French Equivalent	Capitalized in English?	Capitalized in French?
January	janvier	Yes	No
February	février	Yes	No
March	mars	Yes	No
April	avril	Yes	No
May	mai	Yes	No
June	juin	Yes	No
July	juillet	Yes	No
August	août	Yes	No
September	septembre	Yes	No
October	octobre	Yes	No
November	novembre	Yes	No
December	décembre	Yes	No

Tips for French Writing

When writing in French, remember these capitalization nuances:

Days of the Week: Similar to months, days of the week (e.g., lundi, mardi, mercredi) are also written in lowercase.
Nationalities and Languages: Nouns referring to nationalities and languages are lowercase (e.g., le français, un Anglais), although the adjectives derived from them are also lowercase (e.g., un livre français).
Titles: Most titles (monsieur, madame, docteur) are lowercase unless abbreviated (e.g., M., Mme).

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for proper French grammar and can significantly improve your writing accuracy. For more detailed information on French capitalization, you can explore reputable French grammar resources online.