pratiquement
/pʁa.tik.mɑ̃/
The English phrase "pretty much" can be translated into French as pratiquement.
The adverb pratiquement is used to indicate that something is almost entirely true or complete. You can use it to modify adjectives, such as describing a room as pratiquement vide (pretty much empty) or to modify verbs, such as describing a completed action like pratiquement abandonné (pretty much abandoned).
Which one should you use?
While pratiquement serves as a direct equivalent for "pretty much" in many contexts, the word presque is the more common and neutral way to express the English word "almost" in French.
How do you pronounce it?
/pʁa.tik.mɑ̃/. It has 3 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be aware that pratiquement can also mean "in a practical manner" (related to being practical or functional). In the context of "pretty much," it functions specifically as an adverb of degree.
Did you know?
- If you want to say 'pretty much' in the sense of 'essentially' or 'in effect', you might use the phrase en gros instead of pratiquement.
- While pratiquement means 'pretty much', the French word pratique is frequently used as a synonym for 'handy' or 'convenient' when describing a tool or a gadget.
- The French adverb pratiquement is built by adding the suffix -ment to the adjective pratique, mirroring the way English uses the '-ly' suffix.
Examples in context
- Nous avons pratiquement abandonné tout espoir.We pretty much gave up hope.This sentence shows how to use pratiquement to modify a verb.Tatoeba #10624351 by Aiji, translation #3151206 by CK
- « Je veux avoir mon propre piano, mais il n'y a pas de place. » « Qu'est-ce que tu racontes, “il n'y a pas de place” ? Ta chambre est pratiquement vide ! »"I want to get my own piano, but there's no room for it." "What do you mean, 'there's no room'? Your room is pretty much empty!"This sentence demonstrates how to use pratiquement to modify an adjective.Tatoeba #11478947 by Micsmithel, translation #11260841 by hecko
- Le projet est pratiquement terminé.The project is pretty much finished.
- J'ai quasiment terminé mes devoirs.I've pretty much finished my homework.
- Je suis à peu près sûr de la réponse.I'm pretty much sure of the answer.
- J'ai plus ou moins compris ce que tu as dit.I pretty much understood what you said.
- Le travail est pratiquement terminé.The work is pretty much finished.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a completed project at a café.
- HugoEst-ce que tu as fini ton rapport ?Have you finished your report?
- EmmaOui, c'est pratiquement fait.Yes, it's pretty much done.
- HugoTu peux enfin te reposer !You can finally rest!
- EmmaC'est vrai, je suis épuisée.That's true, I am exhausted.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pratiquement, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pratiquement, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
