Toujours

Toujours - forever, still
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French adverb

Toujours is a French adverb of frequency with several different meanings, including always, anyway, forever, and still.

1) Always

The most common meaning of toujours is "always."

Par exemple…

Tu es toujours fatigué.   You’re always tired.
Elle mange toujours bien.   She always eats well.
comme toujours   as always
pas toujours   not always
presque toujours   almost always

Somewhat synonymous

  • 24 heures sur 24
  • à toute heure
  • constamment
  • continuellement
  • hiver comme été
  • jour et nuit
  • sans cesse
  • tout le temps

2) Anyway …

Toujours = anyway, anyhow, at least

Appelle-le toujours, il va répondre peut-être.   Call him anyway, he might answer.
On peut toujours essayer.   We can try anyhow.
Mange toujours un peu avant de partir.   At least have a little something to eat before leaving.

Somewhat synonymous

  • de toute façon
  • du moins
  • en tout cas

3) Forever

Je t’aimerai toujours.   I will love you forever.
Elle vit ici depuis toujours.   She has lived here forever.

Synonyms

  • à jamais
  • définitivement
  • éternellement
  • jusqu’à la consommation des siècles (literary)
  • jusqu’à la fin des temps / siècles
  • sans fin

4) Still

Toujours = "still" in the sense of an ongoing action or state of being:

Je cherche toujours mes clés.   I’m still looking for my keys.
Il est toujours au lit.   He’s still in bed.
Elle n’est toujours pas ici.   She’s still not here.

Toujours has still more meanings that can be a little confusing – see Encore vs toujours.

 Related lessons

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Toujours - French adverbs

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