Par-ci, par-là

Informal French Expression


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Meaning	here and there; now and then, from time to time
Literally	by here by there
Register	informal
Pronunciation		[pahr see pahr lah]
IPA		[paʁ si paʁ la]

Usage notes: The French expression par-ci par-là can refer to space or time. As a spatial adverbial phrase, it means "here and there."

Par exemple…

La salle est très belle, décorée avec des fleurs par-ci, par-là.		The room is very beautiful, decorated with flowers here and there.
Je découvre des cafés par-ci par-là.		I’m discovering cafés here and there.

The hyphens are required while the comma is optional.

It can also be used with two different noun phrases, in which case the comma is required between them.

Par exemple…

J’aime acheter des livres par-ci, des bibelots par-là.		I enjoy buying books and knick-knacks here and there.
Il visitait un musée par-ci, une galerie d’art par-là.		He visited the odd museum or art gallery.

Synonymous expressions

Par-ci, par-là can also be a temporal phrase meaning "now and then" or "from time to time."

Par exemple…

On se voit par-ci par-là en ville.		We see each other now and then in town.
Je fais du yoga par-ci par-là, mais pas tous les jours.		I do yoga from time to time, but not every day.

Synonymous expressions