Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| seulement | /sœl.mɑ̃/ |
| ne…que | |
| uniquement | /y.nik.mɑ̃/ |
The phrase 'only' is used to indicate that something is done without others or anything further. Exclusively. Depending on the context, you may use seulement, the formal uniquement or the restrictive construction ne…que. Related terms include the adjectives unique or seul when describing someone or something that is alone in a category, and the conjunction sauf que to express 'except'.
Which one should you use?
Seulement is a general-purpose word for 'only'. In contrast, uniquement is used to emphasize exclusivity or to point to a single specific choice, similar to 'exclusively'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Switzerland, Swiss-French speakers often favor simplement instead of seulement in many situations.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The formal construction ne…que is used to express 'only' by placing the particle ne before the verb and the particle que immediately before the element that is being restricted.
How do you pronounce it?
seulement is pronounced /sœl.mɑ̃/ and has two syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not mistake the ne…que construction for a negative structure. While it looks like a negation, it is actually a restrictive structure meaning 'only' or 'nothing but'.
Did you know?
- The word seulement is a linguistic relative of the English word 'sole', as both stem from the same Latin root meaning 'alone'.
- The term seul can mean 'only' as an adjective, but it also carries the heavy emotional weight of being 'lonely' or 'solitary'.
- In very formal or literary French, ne…que is preferred over seulement to avoid the repetitive sound of the -ment suffix.
Examples in context
- Je sais seulement cela.I know only this.This sentence shows how to express knowing only one specific thing with seulement.Tatoeba #13324 by Julien_PDC, translation #33527 by CK
- Si seulement je savais !If only I knew!This sentence uses seulement to express a wish or longing.Tatoeba #126568 by TRANG, translation #276985 by CM
- J'ai seulement une sœur.I only have one sister.This sentence demonstrates using seulement to state a limited quantity of something.Tatoeba #2390238 by sacredceltic, translation #2389521 by CK
- Le magasin est seulement ouvert le matin.The store is only open in the morning.
- Le concert est destiné uniquement aux membres du club.The concert is strictly for club members only.
- Il ne parle que français.He only speaks French.
- J'ai juste besoin d'une minute.I only need a minute.
- La fête est ouverte seulement aux invités.The party is open only to guests.
- Y'a que des chips dans le placard.There are only chips in the cupboard.
- J'accepte à la rigueur de rester une heure de plus.I'm willing, only in a pinch, to stay one more hour.
- 615 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are talking about a party.
- HugoTu invites seulement tes amis ?Are you only inviting your friends?
- ManonOui, je veux une petite fête.Yes, I want a small party.
- HugoC'est dommage, je voulais venir aussi.That's a pity, I wanted to come too.
- ManonD'accord, tu peux venir seulement aujourd'hui.Okay, you can come only today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “only” translations and entries seulement, ne…que, uniquement, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ne…que, seulement, uniquement, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
