j'attends toujours
The English phrase "still waiting" can be translated into French as j'attends toujours.
This phrase is used to indicate that a person is continuing to wait for something that has not yet happened. In certain formal or technical contexts, such as a website status or a tracking number, the phrase toujours en attente is used to mean "still pending".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase j'attends toujours is composed of je (I), attends (wait) and toujours (always/still).
Which one should you use?
While toujours emphasizes the continuation of a state (still), the word encore can also be used to mean "still", but it can also mean "again" depending on the context. To emphasize that you are actively waiting for something, you can use Je suis toujours en train d'attendre.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "we are still waiting", use the first-person plural form nous attendons toujours. If you want to express "I was still waiting" in the past, use the imperfect tense j'attendais toujours.
Did you know?
- The word toujours literally means 'all days'. It evolved from the Old French toz jorz, combining 'all' and 'days' to describe something that never ceases.
- In French, using toujours instead of encore to say 'still' often implies a sense of impatience or a complaint.
- The verb attendre can also mean 'to expect', meaning j'attends toujours could mean 'I am still expecting it' depending on the object.
Examples in context
- J'attends toujours ta réponse.I'm still waiting for your answer.This sentence is useful for expressing that you are waiting for a specific answer using j'attends toujours.Tatoeba #5289568 by Aiji, translation #4529460 by CK
- J'attends toujours ma commande.I'm still waiting for my order.This sentence shows how to use j'attends toujours when waiting for an order.Tatoeba #852668 by U2FS, translation #247120 by CK
- J'attends toujours mon petit déjeuner, veuillez me l'apporter maintenant.I'm still waiting for my breakfast. Bring it to me now, please.This sentence demonstrates using j'attends toujours when waiting for breakfast.Tatoeba #457873 by sacredceltic, translation #325158 by phiz
- J'ai envoyé un courriel mais je n'ai pas encore de réponse. J'attends toujours.I sent an email, but I haven't received a response yet. I'm still waiting.
- J'ai postulé pour un poste et j'attends toujours leur réponse. Je suis toujours en attente.I applied for a position, and I'm still waiting for their response. I'm still in the waiting process.
- Je suis toujours en train d'attendre le message de Laura.I'm still waiting for Laura's message.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are at a café.
- NathanJ'attends toujours mon café, Léa.I am still waiting for my coffee, Léa.
- LéaLe serveur est très lent aujourd'hui.The waiter is very slow today.
- NathanC'est vrai, je commence à m'impatienter.It's true, I'm starting to get impatient.
- LéaNe t'inquiète pas, ça va arriver.Don't worry, it will arrive.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries toujours, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
