Published April 14, 2026 — By French teacher David Issokson • Native Audio by Marie Assel Cambier
Learn how to use mais in French — a conjunction meaning “but” and an interjection used to express surprise or emphasis. Master its four main uses in everyday spoken French with Marie’s native audio examples.
📘 Mais meaning
Mais most commonly means “but” in French and is used to introduce contrast or opposition, as in Je veux venir, mais je suis occupé (I want to come, but I’m busy). In spoken French, it’s also frequently used as an interjection to express strong reactions or emphasis, such as Mais oui ! (of course!) or Mais non ! (of course not!). You’ll also hear it to show surprise, annoyance, or intensity, as in Mais c’est super ! (that’s super!).
🎧 Mais pronunciation
The pronunciation of mais is /mɛ/ (IPA), which sounds like “meh” (short, open “e” sound).
📝 Mais examples
1. Basic contrast (“but”)
Je veux venir, mais je travaille aujourd’hui.
I want to come, but I’m working today.
2. Adding a limitation
C’est intéressant, mais un peu difficile à comprendre.
It’s interesting, but a bit hard to understand.
3. Strong emphasis / objection or approval (“come on”)
Mais non, ce n’est pas du tout vrai !
Come on, that’s not true at all!
Mais oui, tu peux le faire sans problème.
Of course, you can do it without a problem.
4. Surprise or reaction
Mais qu’est-ce que tu fais ici maintenant ?
But what are you doing here now?
💡 The closest word in French to mais is cependant. Both mean “but/however” but cependant is more formal and closer to “however”.
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🔗 Related words and expressions
- cependant — however
- pourtant — yet, however
- toutefois — nevertheless
- néanmoins — nonetheless
- bien que — although
- en revanche — on the other hand
- par contre — on the other hand
- bien sûr — of course
📚 Related lessons
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👉 French interjections »
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