This lesson explains how to use the French adverb ainsi, which has meanings including like this, in this way and thus. We’ll also look at the conjunction ainsi que, which means as well as and just as. The Modern French word ainsi is derived from the Latin: ad (to) + in (in) + sic (thus).
ainsi
like this, in this way
Ainsi meaning and translation
Example sentences
Like this, in this way
For our first two example sentences, ainsi translates to “like this” and “in this way”. This is a very common usage of ainsi.
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.
It’s in this way that I met your mom (or “That’s how I met your mom”).
As well as
The next two example sentences use the conjunction ainsi que, which translates to: As well as, along with and together with and plus.
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.
Just as
When appearing at the beginning of a sentence, ainsi que means “just as”. This sentence is in the pluperfect tense.
Ainsi que je l’avais prévu, il a commencé à pleuvoir.
Just as I’d predicted, it started raining.
Suggested course
À Moi Paris (FrenchToday)
Discover more
- Ainsi bas la vida (song by Indila)
- Tandis que – whereas, while
- Quoique – even though, although
- Pour que – so that, in order that
- Pourvu que – provided that
- Toutefois – however
- Lors de – at the time of, during
- Bien que – even though, although
- Cependant – however, yet, nevertheless
- Afin – so that, in order
Word of the Day lessons | Lessons by David Issokson
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