en fait
/ɑ̃ fɛ/
The English phrase 'in fact' is translated into French as en fait.
en fait is used to express 'actually' or 'in truth'. It is frequently used to correct a previous statement or to introduce a reality that contradicts what was just said, functioning much like 'actually' in English.
Meaning: actually, in truth (prep_phrase)
Which one should you use?
While en fait is used to provide a correction or a contradicting reality, other phrases serve different purposes. For example, en effet can be used to mean 'indeed' or 'in effect' and en réalité specifically translates to 'in reality'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɑ̃ fɛ/
Did you know?
- In spoken French, the phrase en fait is often used as a 'filler' word similar to how English speakers use 'actually' or 'basically' to pace a sentence, even when no correction is being made.
- If you want to say 'in fact' to confirm what someone just said rather than contradicting them, you should switch to en effet to avoid sounding like you are correcting them.
- While en fait is a common way to say 'in fact', the Italian equivalent infatti is actually used to mean 'indeed' or 'certainly' to agree with someone, which is the opposite of how 'in fact' often functions in English.
Examples in context
- En fait, il l'aime.In fact, he loves her.This sentence shows how to use en fait to state a fact about someone's feelings.Tatoeba #575291 by sacredceltic, translation #265253 by CK
- En fait, je l'ignorais.In fact, I did not know it.This sentence demonstrates the use of en fait to express lack of knowledge.Tatoeba #8954248 by Aiji, translation #265257 by AlanF_US
- En fait, je ne sais pas.In fact, I don't know.This sentence illustrates using en fait to express uncertainty.Tatoeba #8427301 by Aiji, translation #4049074 by AlanF_US
- En réalité, je ne peux pas y assisterIn fact, I cannot attend
- Dans les faits, cette décision est inacceptableIn fact, this decision is unacceptable
- Il est sympathique. En effet, il m'a aidéHe is nice. In fact, he helped me
- En fait, je suis déjà allé(e) là-basIn fact, I have already been there
- En réalité, il n'a jamais été mon amiIn fact, he was never my friend
- 47 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are discussing a movie they recently saw.
- ManonTu as aimé le film, Gabriel ?Did you like the movie, Gabriel?
- GabrielEn fait, je l'ai trouvé un peu long.In fact, I found it a bit long.
- ManonAh bon ? Moi, je l'ai adoré !Oh really? I loved it!
- GabrielC'est vrai, mais l'histoire était lente.True, but the story was slow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “in fact” translations and entries en fait, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
