How to Say "Always" in French

toujours

/tu.ʒuʁ/

The English word "always" is translated into French as toujours.

toujours is used to mean "at all times". Note that in certain contexts, it can also mean "still".

Meaning: at all times (adv)

Which one should you use?

In many French constructions, toujours (always) serves as the logical antonym to jamais (never).

In Canadian French, the phrase en tout temps is used to mean "always".

As an adverb, toujours is invariable, meaning it does not change its form to match gender or number.

The word has two syllables: /tu.ʒuʁ/.

In early Old French, people used the word sempres to mean 'always', which was borrowed directly from the Latin 'semper'.
The word toujours literally translates to 'all days' in its original form.
The expression toujours plus is often used in French marketing and slogans to mean 'ever more' or 'constantly increasing'.

Tu dis toujours ça.
You always say that.
This sentence shows how to use toujours with a verb in the present tense.
Tatoeba #2403124 by sacredceltic, translation #1895827 by CK
Il sera toujours là.
He will always be there.
This sentence demonstrates how toujours functions in a future tense construction.
Tatoeba #1900988 by sacredceltic, translation #1894447 by Spamster
Je l'ai toujours su.
I've always known it.
This sentence shows the placement of toujours within a compound tense.
Tatoeba #4875415 by sacredceltic, translation #2358944 by CK
Elle est toujours ponctuelle.
She is always punctual.
Il travaille toujours dur.
He always works hard.
Le système est en fonctionnement en permanence.
The system is always operational.
Il doit rester en contact avec ses clients en permanence.
He must always stay in touch with his clients.
Il parle tout le temps.
He's always talking.
J'ai faim tout le temps.
I'm always hungry.
Il travaille sans cesse.
He's always working.
Elle court sans cesse après son rêve.
She's always chasing her dream.
Les secours sont disponibles en tout temps.
Help is always available.
On peut le contacter en tout temps.
You can contact him anytime.
Il regarde la télé à longueur de journée.
He watches TV all day long.
On entend du bruit à longueur de journée ici.
We hear noise all day long here.
2663 more sentences on Tatoeba

Hugo and Chloé are discussing their morning routine.

Hugo

Est-ce que tu bois toujours du café ?
Do you always drink coffee?
Chloé

Oui, je commence toujours ma journée ainsi.
Yes, I always start my day this way.
Hugo

Moi, je préfère le thé.
Me, I prefer tea.
Chloé

C'est vrai, tu choisis toujours le thé.
That's true, you always choose tea.

Sources

Wiktionary, “always” translations and entries toujours, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries toujours, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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