déjà
/de.ʒa/
The French phrase déjà means already.
The adverb déjà is used to indicate that an action or state has already occurred or exists.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables: /de.ʒa/.
Did you know?
- French speakers use déjà in questions to mean 'wait, remind me' or 'what was it again', such as C'est quoi, déjà? when they forget a name.
- The word déjà is actually a contraction of two older words: dès meaning 'from' and jà meaning 'already'.
- While English uses 'already' to mark the completion of an event, French speakers often use déjà to express a sense of disbelief or shock regarding the speed of a situation.
Examples in context
- Je l'ai déjà vu.I have already seen it.
- Tu es déjà là ?Are you already here?
- J'ai déjà fini mes devoirs.I have already finished my homework.
- Est-ce que tu es déjà allé à Paris ?Have you already been to Paris?
- Il est déjà dix heures.It is already ten o'clock.
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are discussing their plans for lunch.
- EmmaTu as déjà mangé ?Have you already eaten?
- GabrielNon, pas encore.No, not yet.
- EmmaOn peut aller déjeuner ensemble alors.We can go have lunch together then.
- GabrielC'est une excellente idée !That is an excellent idea!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry déjà, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries déjà, CC BY-SA 4.0.
