Le spectacle est annulé.

The show is canceled.

Breakdown of Le spectacle est annulé.

• être: to be
• le spectacle: the show
• annulé: canceled

Questions & Answers about Le spectacle est annulé.

What does spectacle mean here? Is it a false friend?

In French, un spectacle means a show or performance (theater, concert, dance, circus, stand-up, etc.). Don’t confuse it with English spectacle meaning “an impressive display” (though French can use Quel spectacle ! for “What a sight!”) or with English “spectacles” for glasses (French: des lunettes).

Why is it Le and not La?

Because spectacle is a masculine noun. So you use masculine determiners: le, un, ce. Example: Le spectacle, un spectacle, ce spectacle.

Why does annulé end with é?

It’s the past participle of annuler (to cancel). Regular -er verbs form their past participle in -é:

• annuler → annulé Compare with the present tense: j’annule, il/elle annule (no accent).

Why is it annulé and not annulée?

Agreement. With être, the past participle agrees with the subject. Le spectacle is masculine singular, so annulé. If the noun were feminine: La séance est annulée. Note: annulé/annulée/annulés/annulées all sound the same in isolation. Only a following liaison can reveal the plural (e.g., annulés à… pronounced with a [z] link).

How do I say it in the plural?

• Les spectacles sont annulés.
• Tous les spectacles sont annulés.

Can I say Le spectacle a été annulé? What’s the difference from est annulé?

Yes.

• Le spectacle est annulé emphasizes the current state (good for notices/signs).
• Le spectacle a été annulé highlights the completed action (common in announcements/news). In practice, both are widely used.

How do I say it actively (not passive)?

• On a annulé le spectacle. (colloquial “they/we canceled the show”)
• L’organisateur a annulé le spectacle. (“The organizer canceled the show.”)

Can I say C’est annulé or Il est annulé?

• C’est annulé works if the context is clear (“It’s canceled.”).
• Il est annulé can refer back to le spectacle already mentioned. To introduce the information without prior context, Le spectacle est annulé is the clearest.

How do I pronounce the whole sentence?

• IPA: [lə spɛk.takl ɛ.ta.ny.le]
• Tips:
  • Final -e in spectacle is silent; pronounce it like “spek-takl.”
  • Make the liaison between est and annulé: say it like “eh-ta-ny-lay,” with a clear [t] sound: est‿annulé.

What’s the difference between annulé and reporté?

• annulé = canceled (will not happen).
• reporté = postponed (will happen later). Example: Le spectacle est reporté à demain.

How do I ask “Is the show canceled?” in French?

• Neutral: Est-ce que le spectacle est annulé ?
• Formal/inverted: Le spectacle est-il annulé ?
• Informal speech: Le spectacle est annulé ? (rising intonation)

What if the event noun is feminine, like a movie screening?

Use feminine agreement:

• La séance est annulée.
• La représentation est annulée.
• La projection est annulée.

Can I say Le spectacle était annulé for “was canceled”?

Use a été annulé to report a completed cancellation: Le spectacle a été annulé.
Était annulé (imperfect) describes a past state/background and is less common for announcements unless you’re setting a scene: Quand nous sommes arrivés, le spectacle était annulé.

Any spelling gotchas?

• annulé has two n’s and one l, with an acute accent: annulé.
• The verb is annuler.
• spectacle has no accent and ends with silent -e.

Can I drop the article on a sign?

Yes. Headline/notice style often uses ellipsis:

• Spectacle annulé (very common on posters)
• Séance annulée

Can I say Le spectacle s’est annulé?

No. Annuler is normally transitive (someone cancels something). Use:

• Passive: Le spectacle a été annulé.
• Active: On a annulé le spectacle.