malgré tout
/mal.ɡʁe tu/
The English word 'regardless' can be translated into French as malgré tout. Wiktionary also lists malgré cela and en dépit de cela.
Meaning: 1 & 2. anyway (adv)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| malgré tout | /mal.ɡʁe tu/ |
| malgré cela | |
| en dépit de cela | |
| quand même | /kɑ̃ mɛm/ |
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase malgré tout is composed of malgré, meaning 'despite' and tout, meaning 'everything' or 'all'.
Which one should you use?
Malgré tout translates to 'despite everything', whereas malgré cela specifically means 'despite that' and is used to refer back to a particular previously mentioned fact or situation. En dépit de cela is a more formal and literary way to express 'in spite of that' compared to malgré tout.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, the casual expression bref is used to mean 'in short' or 'anyway'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In spoken French, quand même can be placed at the end of a sentence to express a sense of 'even so' or 'nevertheless' in response to a situation.
Did you know?
- In spoken French, quand même is often used as a standalone reaction to express indignation or disbelief, similar to saying 'really now' or 'still'.
- The word malgré comes from the Old French words mal and gré, which literally meant 'bad will'.
- The word dépit in en dépit de cela shares a root with the English word 'despite', both coming from the Latin dēspectus, meaning 'looking down on'.
Examples in context
- Ils étaient quand même prêts à admettre qu'ils avaient été influencés par des différentes théories courantes.Regardless, they were willing to admit that they'd been influenced by different common theories.This example shows the use of quand même to express that someone was willing to admit something regardless of the circumstances.
- Je serai présent à l'événement, quoi qu'il en soit.I will attend the event, regardless.
- Il a pris la décision sans égard à l'opposition.He made the decision regardless of the opposition.
- Je vais partir en vacances de toute façon.I'm going on vacation regardless.
- J'irai à la fête qu'importe la fatigue.I'll go to the party regardless of tiredness.
- En tout état de cause, nous devons prendre une décision.Regardless, we must make a decision.
- En tout cas, je continuerai le projet quoi qu'il arrive.Regardless, I will continue the project no matter what.
- Il fait froid, mais je vais sortir malgré tout.It is cold, but I am going out anyway.
- Le film était long, mais je l'ai aimé malgré tout.The movie was long, but I liked it anyway.
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are talking about a difficult hike.
- EmmaLa randonnée était vraiment fatigante, n'est-ce pas ?The hike was really tiring, wasn't it?
- GabrielOui, mais la vue en valait la peine malgré tout.Yes, but the view was worth it anyway.
- EmmaTu as raison, Gabriel, c'était magnifique.You are right, Gabriel, it was magnificent.
- GabrielOn devrait y retourner un jour.We should go back there one day.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “regardless” translations and entries malgré tout, quand même, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cela, de, dépit, en, malgré, quand, tout, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
