communément
/kɔ.my.ne.mɑ̃/
The English word "commonly" can be translated into French as communément or fréquemment.
Meaning: as a rule, usually (adv)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| communément | /kɔ.my.ne.mɑ̃/ |
| fréquemment | /fʁe.ka.mɑ̃/ |
Which one should you use?
communément is used to describe something that is shared, widespread or generally accepted by a group. fréquemment is a formal choice to convey the sense of something happening frequently or commonly.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /kɔ.my.ne.mɑ̃/ and consists of 4 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word communément is an unexpected relative of the word commune, which refers to the smallest administrative district in France. While they share a root of 'sharing', one describes a way of acting and the other a specific political entity.
- When using the related adjective commun, you must be careful with your social tone. Unlike in English, where 'common' is often neutral, calling a person or an idea commun can imply they are 'vulgar' or 'low-class'.
- In French, the suffix -ment is so flexible that speakers sometimes attach it to words that are not adjectives in slang or creative writing to invent new adverbs.
Examples in context
- Ziri allait fréquemment pêcher là-bas.Ziri would commonly go fishing there.This sentence shows the use of fréquemment to describe a repeated action.Tatoeba #12482117 by always, translation #11196075 by Amastan
- Pouvez-vous citer quelques aliments communément consommés aux États-Unis d'Amérique ?What are some foods commonly eaten in America?This sentence shows how communément describes something that is widely consumed.Tatoeba #958258 by sacredceltic, translation #954496 by CK
- L'histoire est le mensonge communément admis.History is the lie commonly agreed upon.This sentence shows how communément describes an idea that is widely accepted.Tatoeba #9872853 by Adelpa, translation #9872850 by Adelpa
- Habituellement, les commerçants ferment leurs boutiques à 18h.Usually, shopkeepers close their stores at 6 p.m.
- D'ordinaire, nous allons au cinéma le samedi.Ordinarily, we go to the movies on Saturdays.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are discussing local customs.
- HugoEst-ce qu'on mange ça ici ?Do people eat this here?
- EmmaOui, c'est communément servi au petit-déjeuner.Yes, it is commonly served for breakfast.
- HugoC'est très original comme plat.It's a very original dish.
- EmmaC'est vrai, mais c'est une habitude locale.True, but it's a local habit.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “commonly” translations and entries communément, fréquemment, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
