Soir - Soirée - French Expressions with Soir and Soirée

The French words un soir and une soirée both mean "evening" (what's the difference?) and are also used in many expressions. Learn how to say evening meal, night owl, formal wear, and more with this list of expressions with soir and soirée.

à prendre matin midi et soir
to be taken three times a day

au soir de sa vie
to be in the evening of his life

les cours du soir
night classes

être du soir
to be a night owl

Il est arrivé un beau soir.
He turned up one evening.

le repas du soir
evening meal

une robe du soir
evening gown

le soir descend / tombe
evening is closing in

la veille au soir
the previous evening

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir ?
Do you want to sleep with me tonight?


une soirée
party, evening performance

une soirée dansante
dance

la tenue de soirée
formal wear, evening dress

la tenue de soirée de rigueur
black tie


Lessons: soir vs soirée | Telling time in French

More: French expressions | Confusing pairs