Level A2 (Upper beginner)
Published January 18, 2026 — Lesson written by French teacher David Issokson for students who want to learn French online, with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier, a voice artist from France.
The French Word of the Day is en général, meaning “generally.” I specifically picked en général for today because many students mistakenly say “généralement,” which isn’t always the most natural choice.
📘 En général meaning in French
En général is a French adverbial expression meaning “generally,” “usually,” or “in general.” It is used to talk about habits, typical behavior, or things that are true most of the time (but not always). It can appear at the beginning of a sentence, in the middle, or at the end, depending on emphasis.
💡En général vs. généralement
En général and généralement both mean “generally” and are near-synonyms, but they’re not used the same way. En général is far more common in spoken French because it sounds lighter and more natural. Généralement is not wrong, but it feels more formal and slightly stiff or academic. These two sentences illustrate the point.
✔️ En général, je prends le métro.
In general, I take the subway.
✔️ Les modèles théoriques sont généralement cohérents.
Theoretical models are generally consistent.
🎧 En général pronunciation in French
The pronunciation of en général is /ɑ̃ ʒe.ne.ʁal/ (IPA), which sounds roughly like “ahn zhay-nay-RAHL.”
📝 En général usage examples
En général, je me lève à sept heures.
In general, I get up at seven o’clock.
Je préfère le café, en général.
I generally prefer coffee.
En général, les magasins ferment à 19 h.
In general, shops close at 7 p.m.
En général, les gens sont très accueillants.
In general, people are very welcoming.
You’ll also hear souvent all the time in French — but do you know how to use it naturally?
👉 Souvent — usage examples »
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🔗 Related words and expressions
- habituellement — usually
- souvent — often
- d’habitude — usually / normally
- en principe — in principle
- la plupart du temps — most of the time
- globalement — overall
📚 Related lessons on FrenchLearner!
👉 Keep learning with the French Word of the Day »
En général meaning — Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What does en général mean in French?
It means “generally” or “in general,” and is used to talk about habits or things that are usually true.
Is en général the same as généralement?
They mean the same thing, but en général sounds more natural in everyday French, while généralement feels more formal.
What level is en général?
It’s A2 (upper beginner), with some B1-style uses in more abstract contexts.
