In today’s lesson we’ll have a look at the feminine noun la fois, which means “time”. Specifically, fois is used in the context of frequency of occurances, e.g., “how many times”.
fois – [fwa]
time
Word origin
The Modern French feminine noun fois comes from the Old French feiz, which comes from vĭces (turn, change, succession) in Latin.
Note that French has two other nouns with the same pronunciation as fois. The feminine noun la foi means “faith” and masculine noun le foie means “liver”.
Example sentences
This first example sentences uses the verb aller (to go) conjugated in the passé composé.
Je suis allé à Paris trois fois.
I’ve been to Paris three times.
For this second sentence, deux fois can translate to “twice” or “two times”. Similarly, une fois can translate to “once” or “one time”.
Nathalie prend le médicament deux fois par jour.
Nathalie takes the medication twice daily.
Combien de fois as-tu voyagé au Mexique?
How many times have you traveled to Mexico?
Une fois que is a conjunction meaning both “once” and “when”. This conjunction does not require the subjunctive.
Je t’appellerai une fois que je serai disponible.
I’ll call you once I’m available.
Fois vs temps
French has another word for time: le temps (masculin noun). Temps is used to refer to time in the context of “having enough time” and weather – Quel temps fait-il? (How’s the weather?).
Word of the Day Lessons | Lessons by David Issokson
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