Bienvenue! Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “so far” in French. This versatile phrase can be expressed in various ways, depending on the context, formality, and regional variations. We’ll explore the formal and informal options, and provide you with plenty of tips and examples to help you master its usage. Let’s dive in!
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Formal Ways to Say “So Far” in French
If you’re looking to express “so far” in formal situations or when communicating with individuals you’d like to show respect to, here are a few commonly used phrases:
- Jusqu’à présent: Literally meaning “up until now,” this phrase is widely used in formal settings or professional contexts. For example: “J’ai étudié le français jusqu’à présent” (I have studied French so far).
- Jusqu’ici: Similar to “jusqu’à présent,” this phrase also translates to “up until now.” It can be used interchangeably with the previous expression. For instance: “Nous n’avons reçu aucune plainte jusqu’ici” (We haven’t received any complaints so far).
- Jusqu’à maintenant: This is another formal way to convey “so far” in French. It indicates the period from the past until the current moment. For instance: “Les négociations ont été positives jusqu’à maintenant” (The negotiations have been positive so far).
Informal Ways to Say “So Far” in French
In casual conversations among friends, family, or colleagues, the French language offers several informal phrases to express “so far.” Here are a few popular choices:
- Jusqu’ici tout va bien: Translating to “so far, so good,” this phrase is commonly used in informal settings to indicate that everything is going well up until that point. For example: “J’ai complété la moitié de mon travail, et jusqu’ici tout va bien” (I have completed half of my work, and so far, so good).
- Jusqu’à présent ça roule: A more colloquial expression, this phrase is similar in meaning to the previous one. It comes from the French slang term “ça roule,” meaning “it’s rolling” or “it’s going well.” For example: “On a déjà fait beaucoup de chemin, et jusqu’à présent, ça roule” (We have come a long way, and so far, it’s going well).
- Jusqu’alors: This informal phrase can be used to express “up until then” or “up until that point.” For instance: “On a discuté de nos projets, et jusqu’alors, tout s’est bien passé” (We discussed our plans, and so far, everything has gone well).
Tips and Examples
Now that you’re familiar with both formal and informal ways to say “so far” in French, let’s provide you with some additional tips and examples to enhance your understanding:
Tips:
- Consider the level of formality required in the context to determine whether to use the formal or informal expressions.
- When in doubt, opt for the more formal expressions, as they are generally appropriate in most situations.
- Pay attention to the subject-verb agreement and word order when constructing sentences using “so far” in French.
- Practice speaking and listening to French regularly to become more comfortable with the nuances of these phrases.
Examples:
Formal: Le projet est en cours et se déroule selon les prévisions jusqu’à présent. (The project is ongoing and proceeding as planned so far.)
Informal: Nous avons visité plusieurs villes pendant nos vacances et jusqu’ici tout va bien. (We visited several cities during our vacation, and so far, so good.)
Using these tips and examples as a reference, you’ll be well-equipped to incorporate “so far” appropriately into your French conversations, whether in formal or informal settings.
Maintain your enthusiasm and keep practicing! The more you immerse yourself in the French language, the more confident you’ll become. Bonne chance! (Good luck!)
