Usage Note
Alterner can be used transitively (alterner les cultures — to rotate crops) or intransitively (les saisons alternent — the seasons alternate). The related adjective is alterné and the noun alternance (f) is common in political contexts to mean a change of governing party.
Examples
"Les jours de pluie et de soleil alternent en avril."
Natural Translation
Rainy days and sunny days alternate in April.
Related Words
Explore French by topic
FrenchNow
5 min read