Are you looking to expand your French vocabulary and learn how to express the concept of “at times”? Whether you want to express occasional actions or events in French, in this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways to convey this idea. We will also provide you with some helpful tips, examples, and even touch upon regional variations. Let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “At Times” in French
1. Parfois
“Parfois” is the most common and versatile term to indicate “at times” in a formal context. It is an adverb that can be used in various sentence structures, making it a convenient choice for expressing occasional actions or events.
2. De temps en temps
The expression “de temps en temps” is an alternative to “parfois” that literally translates to “from time to time.” This formal phrase carries the same meaning and can be used interchangeably in most situations.
3. À l’occasion
“À l’occasion” is a slightly more formal way to say “at times” in French. It typically implies events that occur on special occasions or specific instances, adding a touch of formality to your speech.
Informal Ways to Say “At Times” in French
1. Des fois
“Des fois” is a popular colloquial expression that translates to “at times” in an informal setting. This phrase is commonly used in casual conversations or among friends, making it a great choice for everyday situations.
2. De temps à autre
“De temps à autre” is a slightly more formal alternative to “des fois” in an informal context. It shares the same meaning and can be used to add a bit of variety to your everyday conversations.
3. Quelques fois
“Quelques fois” is another informal way to say “at times” in French. This phrase is similar in meaning to “des fois” and is commonly used in everyday speech among native French speakers.
Tips and Examples for Using “At Times” in French
1. Vary your vocabulary:
While “parfois” is the most common term, using synonyms like “de temps en temps,” “à l’occasion,” “des fois,” “de temps à autre,” or “quelques fois” can help you express the concept of “at times” with more versatility and fluency.
2. Pay attention to context:
The choice between formal and informal expressions depends on the context and the level of formality you wish to convey. Adapt your choice accordingly to match the situation.
3. Use relevant sentence structures:
By incorporating phrases like “Il arrive que…” (It happens that…), “Par moment…” (At times…), or “De temps en temps, je…” (From time to time, I…), you can easily convey the notion of “at times” while expressing yourself fluently.
4. Practice with examples:
Let’s take a look at some examples:
- Parfois, je préfère rester à la maison et me détendre. (At times, I prefer to stay at home and relax.)
- De temps en temps, nous allons au cinéma en famille. (From time to time, we go to the movies as a family.)
- À l’occasion des fêtes, nous organisons une grande fête chez nous. (On special occasions, we host a big party at our place.)
- Des fois, il m’arrive de me perdre dans mes pensées. (At times, I find myself lost in my thoughts.)
- De temps à autre, il se met à pleuvoir sans prévenir. (Every now and then, it starts raining unexpectedly.)
- Quelques fois, je me sens tellement fatigué que je décide de faire une sieste. (Sometimes, I feel so tired that I decide to take a nap.)
Practice using these phrases in different contexts to improve your fluency in expressing “at times” in French.
As you can see, there are various ways to convey the concept of “at times” in French, both formally and informally. By incorporating these expressions into your conversations and paying attention to context, you’ll be able to communicate more effectively in different situations. Happy French learning!
