In French, there are two verb forms for the future tense: le futur proche and le futur simple.

If something is happening soon in the future, with or without a time indication, or in the more distant future with a time indication, you use the futur proche. This is formed using the verb aller (to go).

Time for some example sentences!

I am going out for dinner tonight.

>> Je vais manger au restaurant ce soir.

They are taking the plane.

>> Ils vont prendre l’avion.

She is going to buy a new car this weekend.

Elle va acheter une nouvelle voiture ce week-end.

If the event is further away, you use the futur simple.

Examples:

Next year, I will travel to Asia.

>> Je voyagerai en Asie l’année prochaine.

We will complete our studies in two years.

>> Nous finirons nos études dans twee ans.

He will do exercises every day to stay fit.

>> Il fera de l’exercice tous les jours pour rester en forme.

How would you translate these sentences?

• He will arrive in fifteen minutes.
• He will retire in 30 years.
• He will depart at 9 o’clock.

You can read our previous explanation of le futur here. There you will also find the translation of the three sentences above.