Published December 28, 2023 • Updated April 23, 2026 — By French teacher David Issokson • Native Audio by Marie Assel Cambier
Ainsi is a useful French word meaning “like this”, “in this way”, or “thus”, while ainsi que often means “as well as”. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use both expressions naturally with clear examples and native audio.
📘 Ainsi meaning
The French word ainsi is an adverb meaning “like this”, “in this way”, “thus”, or “so”. It is used to show how something is done or to express the manner in which something happens. It can also introduce a result or conclusion in more formal French.
❓ What does “ainsi que” mean?
Ainsi que is a connector meaning “as well as”, “along with”, or “together with” when linking similar ideas or items. At the beginning of a sentence, it can also mean “just as”.
🎧 Ainsi pronunciation
The pronunciation of ainsi is /ɛ̃.si/ (IPA), which sounds roughly like “an-see”.
📝 Ainsi examples
Tiens la raquette dans tes mains ainsi !
Hold the racket in your hands like this!
C’est ainsi que j’ai fait la connaissance de votre maman.
That’s how I met your mom.
Ainsi que examples
Il faut que j’étudie du vocabulaire ainsi que de la grammaire.
I need to study vocabulary as well as grammar.
Marie a commandé un café ainsi qu‘un croissant.
Marie ordered a coffee along with a croissant.
Ainsi que je l’avais prévu, il a commencé à pleuvoir.
Just as I’d predicted, it started raining.
The word ainsi appears in “Ainsi bas la vida“, Indila’s hit song from 2014.
👉 Learn what the title of Ainsi bas la vida really means + master the lyrics now.
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🔗 Related words and expressions
- ainsi que — as well as
- comme ça — like that / like this
- de cette façon — in this way
- de cette manière — in this manner
- c’est ainsi — that’s how it is
- ainsi soit-il — so be it
- et ainsi de suite — and so on
📚 Related lessons
👉 Ainsi bas la vida (song) »
👉 French connector words »
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