et cætera
The English phrase "etcetera" is translated into French as et cætera.
et cætera is used at the end of a list to indicate that there are other similar items that are not mentioned. In written French, it is very common to use the abbreviation etc. instead of writing out the full phrase.
Which one should you use?
While et cætera is the standard phrase, you can use et ainsi de suite to mean "and so forth" or the more casual et tout ça to mean "etcetera".
Did you know?
- In formal French typography, the abbreviation etc. should never be followed by another period even if it ends a sentence, as the abbreviation mark serves as the final stop.
- Using et cætera at the end of a list that already starts with comme or tel que is redundant in French and often criticized by stylists.
- The word 'et' was frequently written simply as 'e' during the Old French period. It was not until the 12th century that the spelling was restored to include the 't' to align with its Latin origin.
Examples in context
- Les sujets étudiés incluent les mathématiques, la physique, la biologie, et ainsi de suite.The subjects studied include mathematics, physics, biology, and so forth.
- Je devais acheter des fruits, des légumes, de la viande, et tout ça.I had to buy fruits, vegetables, meat, and so on.
- La soirée était géniale : on a dansé, on a ri, on a mangé des pizzas et tout ça.The party was amazing: we danced, laughed, ate pizzas, and all that.
- J'ai oublié de prendre mes clés, mon téléphone, mon portefeuille, et compagnie.I forgot to take my keys, my phone, my wallet, and so on.
- J'aime les pommes, les oranges, et cætera.I like apples, oranges, etcetera.
- Il a acheté des livres, des stylos, et cætera.He bought books, pens, etcetera.
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are preparing a packing list for a trip.
- EmmaN'oublie pas ton passeport, tes vêtements, et cætera.Don't forget your passport, your clothes, etcetera.
- HugoEst-ce que je dois prendre un parapluie ?Should I take an umbrella?
- EmmaOui, et peut-être une crème solaire.Yes, and maybe some sunscreen.
- HugoD'accord, je prépare tout ça maintenant.Okay, I'll prepare all that now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries et, CC BY-SA 4.0.
