principalement
/pʁɛ̃.si.pal.mɑ̃/
The English word 'mainly' can be translated into French as principalement.
principalement is used to express that something is true chiefly or for the most part.
Meaning: chiefly, certainly for the most part (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The adverb is formed from the adjective principal and the suffix -ment, which is the French equivalent of the English suffix '-ly'.
Which one should you use?
While principalement means 'mainly' in the sense of 'for the most part', the word surtout is used when you want to say 'especially' or 'above all' to emphasize a specific point.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /pʁɛ̃.si.pal.mɑ̃/ and has 4 syllables.
Did you know?
- While principalement means 'mainly', the word surtout is often used in daily speech for the same purpose. Surtout literally means 'above all' and is derived from the word for 'overcoat', surtout, which was the outermost garment worn over everything else.
- The adverbial suffix -ment traces back to the Latin '-mente', which originally meant 'with a certain mind' or 'with a certain spirit'.
- In French, le principal does not just refer to a school leader but also to the original sum of a debt before interest.
Examples in context
- Les Japonais mangent principalement du riz.The Japanese live mainly on rice.This sentence shows how to use principalement to describe a dietary staple.Tatoeba #129780 by dominiko, translation #281755 by CK
- Sa maladie était principalement psychologique.His illness was mainly psychological.This sentence uses principalement to describe the primary nature of an illness.Tatoeba #1943817 by Micsmithel, translation #373271 by kotobaboke
- L'hémisphère sud comporte principalement des océans.The Southern Hemisphere is comprised mainly of oceans.This sentence uses principalement to describe the composition of a geographic region.Tatoeba #5111613 by gege_veggie, translation #6734695 by Eccles17
- La société se concentre principalement sur le développement durable.The company mainly focuses on sustainable development.
- Les universités françaises sont surtout réputées pour leur excellence académique.French universities are mainly known for their academic excellence.
- Le projet repose essentiellement sur la participation des bénévoles.The project mainly relies on volunteer participation.
- On va principalement se concentrer sur la musique ce soir.We'll mainly focus on music tonight.
- Le film que j'ai vu hier soir était surtout ennuyeux.The movie I watched last night was mainly boring.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are discussing their holiday plans.
- NathanEst-ce qu'on va principalement se reposer ?Are we going to mainly rest?
- LéaOui, mais on peut aussi visiter la ville.Yes, but we can also visit the city.
- NathanLéa, tu préfères rester à l'hôtel ?Léa, do you prefer staying at the hotel?
- LéaPas du tout, je veux bouger !Not at all, I want to move around!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mainly” translations and entries principalement, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries principalement, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
