Level B2 (Upper Intermediate)
The French word of the day is quoique, which means ‘although’, ‘even though’ and ‘though’. Today you’ll learn:
RELATED LESSONS TO QUOIQUE
Quoique
Pronunciation of quoique
IPA /kwa.kə/ or /kwa-kuh/
Kind of word
Quoique: Conjunction
Example sentences
For these first to example sentences, quoique must be followed by the subjunctive mood. For this first example, frais can translate to the adjective ‘cool’ in the context of weather.
Quoique nous soyons au mois de juin, il fait un peu frais.
It’s a bit cool out although it’s June.
For this sentence, il soit is the third-person singular form of être (to be) in the subjunctive mood.
Nous devons inviter Martin à la fête quoiqu‘il soit odieux.
We must invite Martin to the party although he’s obnoxious.
This sentence uses the grammatical structure quoique + adjective. The expression gagner sa vie (literally wins his life) means ‘to make a living’. Bosseur (hardworking) is an adjective related to the verb bosser (slang for to work).
Quoique bosseur, il ne gagne pas bien sa vie.
Although hardworking, he doesn’t make a good living.
Word origin
Quoique is composed of quoi (what) and que (that). According to Wiktionary, quoique replaced que que in Old French.
Quoi que meaning
Note that the two seperate words quoi que form another conjunction meaning ‘whatever’ and ‘no matter what’. For example, “Quoi que tu dises, je m’en fiche” (Whatever you say, I don’t care).
RELATED LESSONS
Bien que is a synonym for quoique and also means ‘although’ and ‘even though’. It’s more commonly used in everyday language and is less formal. Bien que must also be followed by the subjunctive mood. For example, “Bien que je sois fatigué, je dois travailler” (Even though I’m tired, I must work).
Malgré is a preposition and means ‘despite’ and ‘in spite of’. It always precedes a noun. For example, “Nous sortons malgré la pluie” (We’re going out despite the rain).
Même is versatile word with many usages. Même si is an expression which means ‘even if’. It is followed by the indicative and not the subjunctive mood. For example, “Même si il pleut, nous sortirons” (We’ll go out even if it rains).
