Breakdown of Après une demi-journée de méditation, nous expirons au son du gong.
une
a / an (feminine)
nous
we / us (object pronoun)
de
of / from / any (in negative sentences) / about (concerning)
au
to the / at the (masculine singular)
Questions & Answers about Après une demi-journée de méditation, nous expirons au son du gong.
Why doesn't demi have an 'e' at the end to agree with the feminine noun journée?
Why use journée here instead of jour?
In French, time words ending in -ée like journée, matinée, or soirée emphasize the duration, experience, or contents of the time passing. Since the sentence is about a long, continuous meditation session, une demi-journée is the perfect fit. (Note that un demi-jour actually translates to 'dim light' or 'twilight' rather than a half-day!).
Does the verb expirer mean to die or expire like a contract?
It can mean to expire (like a visa or contract), and poetically it can mean to pass away (to breathe one's last). However, its primary, literal meaning regarding the body is simply 'to exhale.' In meditation, yoga, or medical contexts, you will constantly hear inspirer (to inhale) and expirer (to exhale).
Is au son de the standard way to say 'at the sound of' or 'to the sound of'?