tout le temps
/tu l(ə) tɑ̃/
The English phrase "all the time" is translated into French as tout le temps.
tout le temps is an adverb used to mean always. You can also use the expression Jour et nuit to indicate an action that occurs constantly.
Meaning: always (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of tout (all/every), le (the) and temps (time).
Which one should you use?
While tout le temps and toujours both mean "always", tout le temps often emphasizes the continuous, repetitive or incessant nature of an action, much like "all the time" does in English.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase tout le temps is invariable and does not change based on the gender or number of the subject or the verb.
How do you pronounce it?
/tu l(ə) tɑ̃/
Did you know?
- In French, the word temps refers to both 'time' and 'weather', so context is key to avoid confusion in conversation.
- In French, tout le temps is often used as a complaint. While toujours can be a neutral statement of fact, tout le temps frequently implies that the speaker finds the repetition annoying.
- The word temps comes from the Latin tempus, which is also the root of English words like 'temporary' and 'contemporary'.
Examples in context
- Il ment tout le temps.He lies all the time.This sentence shows the use of tout le temps to describe someone who lies.Tatoeba #12451111 by Orange, translation #5885770 by Hybrid
- Je le dis tout le temps.I say that all the time.This sentence shows the use of tout le temps to describe repeating a statement.Tatoeba #928251 by sacredceltic, translation #5014104 by AlanF_US
- Ça arrive tout le temps.It happens all the time.This sentence shows the use of tout le temps to describe something that happens.Tatoeba #2021965 by sacredceltic, translation #2020946 by Spamster
- Il travaille constammentHe works all the time.
- Elle est occupée tout le tempsShe is busy all the time.
- Il joue tout le tempsHe plays all the time.
- Elle parle tout le temps, sans interruptionShe talks all the time without interruption.
- Je pense à toi H24I think of you all the time.
- 184 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are talking about their dog at home.
- EmmaLe chien court dans le jardin tout le temps.The dog runs in the garden all the time.
- LucasC'est vrai, il est très énergique.It's true, he is very energetic.
- EmmaIl veut jouer avec nous tout le temps.He wants to play with us all the time.
- LucasOui, il est adorable.Yes, he is adorable.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “all the time” translations and entries tout le temps, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries le, temps, tout, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
