normalement
/nɔʁ.mal.mɑ̃/
The French word for normally is normalement.
Normalement means in the expected or customary manner. In spoken French, it is frequently used to express that something is expected to happen or is supposed to be the case, often carrying a nuance of 'if everything goes according to plan'.
Meaning: in the expected or customary manner (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed from the adjective normal and the adverbial suffix -ement, which is the French equivalent of the English suffix '-ly'.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /nɔʁ.mal.mɑ̃/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word normal in French can be used as an exclamation C'est normal ! to mean 'that makes sense' or 'no wonder'.
- The word normalement can sometimes be used to subtly correct someone. If a person states a fact that is incorrect, a French speaker might start their rebuttal with Normalement… to imply the person is mistaken about the standard procedure.
- In spoken French, normalement is often used as a one-word answer to a question to mean 'that should be the case' or 'probably'.
Examples in context
- Normalement, je dors tard.Normally, I sleep late.This sentence shows how to use normalement to describe a habitual action.Tatoeba #12251166 by Rovo, translation #12251078 by CK
- Normalement, je ne fais pas ça.I don't normally do this.This sentence illustrates a negative statement using normalement.Tatoeba #2509153 by sacredceltic, translation #2276158 by CK
- Je ne fais pas cela, normalement.I don't normally do that.This sentence demonstrates placing normalement at the end of a sentence.Tatoeba #2509152 by sacredceltic, translation #2276157 by CK
- Normalement, je m'habille bien pour les réunionsNormally, I dress well for meetings
- Généralement, nous prenons notre petit-déjeuner ensembleNormally, we have breakfast together
- En règle générale, il est politiquement prudent de ne pas commenter ces sujetsNormally, it is politically advisable not to comment on these subjects
- D'habitude, il fait beau en été iciNormally, it is sunny here in the summer
- En temps normal, nous aurions organisé une fête pour ton anniversaireNormally, we would have thrown a party for your birthday
- De manière habituelle, ils sortent le soir pour se détendreNormally, they go out in the evening to relax
- En général, je fais mes courses au supermarchéNormally, I do my shopping at the supermarket
- Le plus souvent, nous allons au cinéma le samediNormally, we go to the movies on Saturdays
- Normalement, je prends le train pour aller travaillerNormally, I take the train to work
- D'habitude, ils dînent vers 19 heuresNormally, they eat dinner around 7 p.m.
- En temps normal, elle va à la salle de sport trois fois par semaineNormally, she goes to the gym three times a week
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are discussing their work schedules.
- HugoTu travailles jusqu'à quelle heure normalement ?What time do you normally work until?
- EmmaNormalement, je finis à dix-huit heures.Normally, I finish at six p.m.
- HugoC'est une longue journée pour toi.That is a long day for you.
- EmmaOui, mais c'est mon rythme habituel.Yes, but it is my usual rhythm.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “normally” translations and entries normalement, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
