sans arrêt
/sɑ̃.z‿a.ʁɛ/
The English word 'nonstop' can be translated into French as sans arrêt or sans escale depending on the context.
Meaning: without stopping (adj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| sans arrêt | /sɑ̃.z‿a.ʁɛ/ |
| sans escale |
Both sans arrêt and sans escale can function as adjectives or adverbs.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase sans arrêt literally means 'without stop', combining sans (without) and arrêt (stop/halt). The phrase sans escale literally means 'without stopover', combining sans (without) and escale (stopover/layover).
Which one should you use?
Sans arrêt is used for continuous actions or processes, whereas sans escale is specifically used for travel routes that do not have intermediate stops.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of sans arrêt is /sɑ̃.z‿a.ʁɛ/ and consists of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word escale comes from the Italian scala, meaning 'ladder'. This refers to the ladders once used to climb from boats to the docks during a stopover.
- In a legal context, arrêt does not mean a physical stop, but refers to a formal judgment or decree issued by a high court.
- When using sans arrêt to describe a person talking, it often implies that the speaker is annoying or excessive, rather than just being continuous.
Examples in context
- Il plut sans arrêt.It rained nonstop.This sentence shows how to use sans arrêt to describe weather.Tatoeba #4894000 by sacredceltic, translation #26694 by CK
- Il a une pneumonie. Pas étonnant qu'il tousse sans arrêt.He's got pneumonia. No wonder he is coughing nonstop.This sentence uses sans arrêt to describe a continuous physical action.Tatoeba #11962597 by lbdx, translation #4632989 by LeeSooHa
- Faisons-nous un vol sans escale jusqu'aux USA ?Are we making a nonstop flight to the U.S.?This sentence uses sans escale to describe a direct travel route.Tatoeba #9522 by Petro1, translation #23281 by Swift
- Le vol est sans interruption.The flight is nonstop.
- Le service est disponible 24 heures en continu.The service is available 24 hours nonstop.
- Le rythme est ininterrompu.The rhythm is nonstop.
- Le bar est ouvert H24.The bar is open nonstop.
- Il parle tout le temps.He talks nonstop.
- On peut se connecter au Wi-Fi 24/7.You can connect to Wi-Fi 24/7.
- Je travaille en continu depuis ce matin.I've been working nonstop since this morning.
- Cette musique donne envie de danser sans interruption.This music makes you want to dance nonstop.
- Nous sommes ouverts h24, 7 jours sur 7.We are open 24/7, 7 days a week.
- Les enfants courent tout le temps.The children run nonstop.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are talking about their busy day.
- GabrielTu as travaillé sans arrêt aujourd'hui, Gabriel.You have worked nonstop today, Gabriel.
- EmmaOui, je n'ai même pas pris de pause.Yes, I didn't even take a break.
- GabrielIl faut vraiment que tu te reposes.You really need to rest.
- EmmaTu as raison, je suis épuisé.You're right, I'm exhausted.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nonstop” translations and entries sans arrêt, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries arrêt, escale, sans, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
