Level A2 (Upper Beginner)
The French Word of the Day is the essential adverb “encore”, which has meanings including “again” among three others, which we’ll explain below.
Meaning
Pronunciation
Example sentences
Word origin
Related lessons
Meaning
The French adverb “encore” is a versatile word with multiple core meanings, primarily translating to “again,” “still,”, “yet” and “even”. Its specific interpretation depends heavily on the context, allowing it to convey:
- Repetition: Indicating that something happens “again.”
- Continuity: Showing that something is “still” happening or is ongoing.
- Additional Quantity: Expressing “more” of something, and even “even more” (e.g., encore plus).
Pronunciation
Example sentences
Again
The meaning of encore for these first two example sentences is “again”.
We’re eating pizza again?
For this second example, the feminine noun bêtise is related to the adjective bête (silly, stupid).
J’ai encore fait la même bêtise !
I made the same silly mistake again!
Still
For this example, the meaning of encore is “still”. Note that for this usage of encore, the adverb toujours (always, still) is a synonym. J’ai encore/toujours le même problème (I still have the same problem).
J’ai encore cinq kilos à perdre.
I still have five kilograms to lose.
Yet
For this example, the meaning of encore is “yet”.
Je n’ai pas encore compris cette leçon !
I still haven’t understood this lesson!
When preceded by pas, as in the ne…pas negation, pas encore means “not yet”.
Est-ce que tu as fini ton travail? – Non, pas encore.
Did you finish your work? – No. Not yet.
Even
For this final example, encore plus means “even more”.
C’est encore plus cher !
It’s even more expensive!
Word origin
The Modern French adverb encore comes from ancor in Old French, which comes from *hinc ad hōram in Vulgar Latin.
Related lessons – Words related to encore
References
