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👉 De temps en temps (from time to time) — Word of the Day lesson »
Level A2/B1 (Upper Beginner-Intermediate)
The French Word of the Day is “parfois“, and adverb which means both sometimes and occasionally. “Parfois, je comprends ces leçons.” (Sometimes I understand these lessons.)
Meaning
Pronunciation
Example sentences
Synonyms
Related words and lesson
Meaning
Parfois is a adverb meaning “sometimes” or “occasionally.” A synonym is quelquefois, which is slightly more formal. De temps en temps is another synonym. De temps en temps implies less frequency than parfois and is a more conversational phrase.
- Parfois, je vais au cinéma. I sometimes go to the movies.
- Je vais au cinéma quelquefois. I sometimes go to the movies.
- Je vais au cinéma de temps en temps. I sometimes go to the movies.
Pronunciation
Example sentences
Parfois, il pleut dans le désert.
Sometimes it rains in the desert.
Parfois, je reste chez moi le samedi soir.
Sometimes I stay home on Saturday night.
Je vais parfois à la plage.
I sometimes go to the beach.
Parfois j’aime me balader en ville.
Sometimes I like to stroll around town.
Synonyms
- quelquefois – sometimes, occasionally (very close in meaning to parfois)
- de temps en temps – from time to time, occasionally
- à l’occasion – occasionally, on occasion
- occasionnellement – occasionally (more formal)
- des fois (informal) – sometimes
Related words and lesson
- Toujours – always
- Jamais – never
- Maintenant – now
- Aujourd’hui – today
- Demain – tomorrow
- Depuis – since, for (time duration)
- Pendant – during, for (time duration)
- Déjà – already
