en même temps
/ɑ̃ mɛm tɑ̃/
The English phrase "at the same time" is translated into French as en même temps.
En même temps is a common way to express that something is happening at the same instant.
Meaning: at the same instant (prep_phrase)
Which one should you use?
While en même temps is a common expression, you may encounter the word simultanément, which is a formal term used specifically to describe two or more actions happening simultaneously.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you wish to say "at the same time as [something/someone]", you must add the conjunction que after the phrase to create en même temps que.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɑ̃ mɛm tɑ̃/
Did you know?
- In modern French political discourse, en même temps has become a signature rhetorical device used by President Emmanuel Macron to hold two opposing ideas as simultaneously true.
- The word temps in en même temps is the same word used to describe the 'weather' in French.
- The word même in this phrase is a linguistic descendant of a superlative suffix. It stems from the Latin suffix -issimus, which was used to create the highest degree of an adjective, such as 'greatest' or 'fastest'.
Examples in context
- Il fit les deux en même temps.He did both at the same time.This sentence shows how to use en même temps to describe performing two actions at once.Tatoeba #1966883 by sacredceltic, translation #1966568 by Spamster
- Tout s'est passé en même temps.Everything happened at the same time.This sentence illustrates using en même temps to describe events occurring together.Tatoeba #11676241 by Aiji, translation #5143983 by Airvian
- Ne parlez pas tous en même temps.Don't all speak at the same time.This sentence uses en même temps to tell a group of people not to speak all at once.Tatoeba #4470667 by Petrus, translation #1019939 by sundown
- Je travaille et j'étudie en même tempsI work and study at the same time
- Les deux équipes ont marqué simultanémentThe two teams scored at the same time
- On mange en même temps que l'on discuteWe eat at the same time as we talk
- Je travaille tout en écoutant de la musiqueI work while listening to music
- Je suis fatigué, mais je continue à travailler en même tempsI am tired, but I continue working at the same time
- 59 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are discussing their busy schedules.
- HugoJe dois travailler et écouter la radio en même temps.I have to work and listen to the radio at the same time.
- ChloéC'est difficile de faire ça, Hugo.It is difficult to do that, Hugo.
- HugoOui, mais je m'habitue petit à petit.Yes, but I am getting used to it bit by bit.
- ChloéTu es très organisé, Chloé est impressionnée.You are very organized, Chloé is impressed.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry en même temps, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries en, même, temps, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
