Time adverbs in French describe when an action occurs, its frequency, or its duration. They answer questions like "when?", "how often?", or "for how long?". Most French time adverbs are placed either before the main verb or at the beginning/end of a sentence for emphasis.
Common Time Adverbs
Below is a guide to some of the most common French time adverbs, grouped by their meaning category.
| Meaning | French Adverb(s) | English Example | French Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Now | maintenant | I am working now. | Je travaille maintenant. |
| Today | aujourd'hui | Today, we have a meeting. | Aujourd'hui, nous avons une réunion. |
| Yesterday | hier | She went out yesterday. | Elle est sortie hier. |
| Tomorrow | demain | We will leave tomorrow. | Nous partirons demain. |
| Always | toujours | He always eats breakfast. | Il prend toujours son petit déjeuner. |
| Often | souvent | I often read books. | Je lis souvent des livres. |
| Sometimes | parfois | Sometimes, I watch TV. | Parfois, je regarde la télévision. |
| Never | jamais | She never smokes. | Elle ne fume jamais. |
| Already | déjà | I have already finished. | J'ai déjà fini. |
| Still / Yet | encore | She is still sleeping. | Elle dort encore. |
| Later | plus tard | We will talk later. | Nous parlerons plus tard. |
| Soon | bientôt | The train arrives soon. | Le train arrive bientôt. |
| Early | tôt | He woke up early. | Il s'est levé tôt. |
| Late | tard | I arrived late. | Je suis arrivé tard. |
Rules for Placement
French time adverbs generally follow these patterns:
| Position | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Before the main verb | Elle toujours mange… | She always eats… |
| After auxiliary verb (compound tenses) | J'ai déjà fini. | I have already finished. |
| Beginning of the sentence (for emphasis) | Hier, je suis parti tôt. | Yesterday, I left early. |
| End of the sentence | Nous partirons bientôt. | We will leave soon. |
Can time adverbs appear at the end of a sentence?
Yes, especially for adverbs like 'bientôt', 'plus tard', 'tôt', 'tard'.
Time adverbs describing future or time specifics often appear at the end to smoothly close the sentence.
How are time adverbs placed in compound tenses (passé composé, etc.)?
After the auxiliary verb and before the past participle.
In compound tenses, adverbs like 'déjà' are placed between the auxiliary (e.g., 'ai') and the past participle.
Using Time Adverbs in Different Tenses
Time adverbs can be used with any tense to specify when the action takes place.
| Tense | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| Present | Je travaille toujours ici. | I still work here. |
| Passé composé | Il est parti hier. | He left yesterday. |
| Futur simple | Nous arriverons bientôt. | We will arrive soon. |
| Imparfait | Elle lisait souvent le soir. | She often read in the evening. |
Summary
French time adverbs are essential tools for expressing when something happens. By memorizing the common adverbs and their rules, you can add clarity and detail to your French sentences.
Flashcards (1 of 18)
- Meaning: Now
- English Example: I am working now.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
