souvent
/su.vɑ̃/
The English word 'often' is translated into French as souvent. Wiktionary also lists souventefois.
Meaning: frequently, many times (adv)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| souvent | /su.vɑ̃/ | |
| souventefois | /su.vɑ̃.t(ə).fwa/ | archaic |
The word is an adverb used to describe something that happens frequently or many times.
Which one should you use?
The word souventefois is an archaic version of souvent and is not used in modern spoken or written French. For a more formal tone, you can use Fréquemment.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Fréquemment is a formal way to say often. The form souventefois is archaic and is not used in modern spoken or written French.
How do you pronounce it?
souvent is pronounced /su.vɑ̃/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word souvent actually traces its roots back to the Latin 'subinde', which meant 'immediately after'.
- While souvent is common, French speakers may use the expression bien souvent to add an emphatic tone, similar to saying 'very often' or 'quite often'.
- French uses the idiom plus souvent que jamais to describe something happening with an unprecedented frequency.
Examples in context
- On y va souvent.We go there often.The first sentence shows how to state that one goes somewhere often using souvent.Tatoeba #11461285 by Aiji, translation #243833 by CK
- Y vas-tu souvent ?Do you go there often?The second sentence is a way to ask if someone goes to a place often using souvent.Tatoeba #2811798 by Rovo, translation #1824782 by FiRez
- Tu y vas souvent ?Do you go often?The third sentence is another way to ask if someone goes often using souvent.Tatoeba #7769765 by Aiji, translation #1043614 by Brian255
- Elle voyage fréquemmentShe often travels
- Il fait de l'exercice régulièrementHe exercises often
- Ils dînent au restaurant habituellementThey often have dinner at the restaurant
- Je vais souvent au cinéma le week-endI often go to the movies on weekends
- Je vois souvent mes amis le week-endI often see my friends on weekends
- 1269 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are talking about a local café.
- LucasEst-ce que tu vas souvent dans ce café ?Do you go to this café often?
- ManonOui, j'y vais très souvent.Yes, I go there very often.
- LucasLe café est-il toujours bondé ?Is the café always crowded?
- ManonSouvent, surtout le samedi après-midi.Often, especially on Saturday afternoons.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “often” translations and entries souvent, souventefois, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries souvent, souventefois, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
