tous les jours
/tu le ʒuʁ/
The English phrase 'everyday' can be expressed in French as tous les jours.
While 'everyday' is an adjective in English, tous les jours is most commonly used as an adverbial phrase meaning 'every day'. Other ways to express similar ideas include Chaque jour de la semaine or Tous les jours de la semaine, both of which translate to 'every day of the week'.
Meaning: appropriate for ordinary use, rather than for special occasions (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tous les jours literally translates to 'all the days'.
How do you pronounce it?
/tu le ʒuʁ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often try to translate 'everyday' as chaque jour, but tous les jours is the much more natural and common way to express the frequency of a daily occurrence.
Did you know?
- The word quotidien shares its root with the English word 'quotidian', though the English version is far rarer and sounds much more formal.
- While tous les jours describes frequency, the word quotidien is used to describe a 'daily' newspaper, known as un quotidien.
- The word les in this phrase originates from the Latin accusative plural, which functions as a pointer or demonstrative.
Examples in context
- Layla parlait à Sami tous les jours.Layla talked to Sami everyday.This sentence shows how to describe talking to someone tous les jours.Tatoeba #13357063 by genes1s, translation #6101650 by OsoHombre
- Je consulte mon fil d'actualité tous les jours.I check my news feed everyday.This sentence shows the frequency of checking a news feed using tous les jours.Tatoeba #13564888 by Myrano_, translation #13564887 by Myrano_
- Dans la vie de tous les jours, personne ne parle en vers.In everyday life no one speaks in verse.This sentence uses tous les jours to describe the concept of everyday life.Tatoeba #12853966 by lbdx, translation #3927090 by Theocracy
- Je me brosse les dents tous les joursI brush my teeth everyday.
- Elle fait de l'exercice chaque jourShe exercises everyday.
- Elle lit le journal quotidiennementShe reads the newspaper daily.
- Nous avons un match de football chaque jour de la semaineWe have a football match every day of the week.
- Je vais à la gym tous les jours de la semaineI go to the gym every day of the week.
- Je fais mes devoirs tous les joursI do my homework everyday.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are discussing what to wear to a party.
- HugoJe peux porter mes vêtements de tous les jours ?Can I wear my everyday clothes?
- LéaNon, c'est une fête très élégante, Hugo.No, it's a very elegant party, Hugo.
- HugoD'accord, je vais mettre une chemise blanche.Okay, I'll put on a white shirt.
- LéaParfait, ça sera beaucoup mieux.Perfect, that will be much better.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tous les jours, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries les, tous, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
