un jour à la fois
The English phrase "one day at a time" is translated into French as un jour à la fois.
This phrase is used to suggest focusing on the present day rather than worrying about the future. Related expressions include Prendre les choses au jour le jour, which means "to take things day by day" and Pas à pas, which means "step by step".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of un (one), jour (day), à (at/to) and la fois (the time/the instance).
Did you know?
- In French, saying une fois can mean 'one time' or 'once', but une fois at the start of a story is the standard way to begin a fairy tale, similar to 'once upon a time'.
- While un jour à la fois focuses on the interval, the related phrase pas à pas uses the word pas, which means both 'step' and 'not'.
- The word fois in the phrase shares a surprising historical connection with the Spanish and Portuguese word vez, even though it looks nothing like them in modern French.
Examples in context
- Je prends les choses au jour le jour.I take things day by day.
- En avançant jour après jour, je parviens à rester serein.By moving forward day by day, I manage to stay calm.
- Un jour à la fois, mais j'adore ça !One day at a time, but I'm loving it!
- Il faut vivre un jour à la fois.One must live one day at a time.
- Ne stresse pas, avance un jour à la fois.Don't stress, go one day at a time.
- Je préfère avancer un jour à la fois.I prefer to move forward one day at a time.
Example conversation
Manon is comforting Lucas who is overwhelmed by his new job.
- ManonNe t'inquiète pas trop pour l'avenir, Lucas.Don't worry too much about the future, Lucas.
- LucasC'est difficile, je me sens un peu perdu.It is difficult, I feel a bit lost.
- ManonEssaie de vivre un jour à la fois.Try to live one day at a time.
- LucasTu as raison, merci Manon.You are right, thanks Manon.
