avant
/a.vɑ̃/
The English word "until" can be translated into French as avant or avant que.
Meaning: before (conj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| avant | /a.vɑ̃/ |
| avant que | /a.vɑ̃ kə/ |
In French, avant is used to mean "before". It is related to the prepositional forms that also mean "before" or "up to the time of".
Which one should you use?
While avant means "before", you should use jusqu'à to express a duration that continues up to a specific point in time.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/a.vɑ̃/ (two syllables)
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use avant to mean "until" when referring to duration (for example, saying "stay until 5 PM"). In these cases, you must use jusqu'à instead. Additionally, avoid using the phrase jusqu'à que, as it is incorrect in French.
Did you know?
- The word avant is a direct relative of the English word 'avant-garde', which literally means 'before the guard'.
- The word avant is actually a directional term, meaning 'forward' or 'ahead', which is why it is used to describe something happening before another event in time.
- The word que in the phrase avant que shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'what', originating from the Proto-Indo-European root *kʷid.
Examples in context
- On ne l'a pas su avant hier.It was not until yesterday that we knew about it.This sentence shows how to use avant to indicate a point in time in the past.Tatoeba #11023 by dominiko, translation #63313 by CM
- J'en ai besoin avant demain.I need it until tomorrow.This sentence demonstrates using avant to indicate a deadline or point in time in the future.Tatoeba #4451205 by franlexcois, translation #5668004 by Airvian
- Je ne pars pas avant demain.I'm not leaving until tomorrow.This sentence shows how to express that an action will not occur before a certain time.Tatoeba #10953798 by lbdx, translation #6164885 by sundown
- Je travaille jusqu'à 18 heures.I work until 6 p.m.
- Nous restons à Paris jusqu'à dimanche.We're staying in Paris until Sunday.
- Attends ici jusqu'à ce que je revienne.Wait here until I come back.
- Je travaillerai jusqu'à ce que le projet soit terminé.I'll work until the project is finished.
- Reste ici jusqu'à ce que je revienne.Stay here until I come back.
- Je vais continuer à parler jusqu'à ce qu'ils comprennent.I will keep talking until they understand.
- On va faire la fête jusqu'à la fin de la nuit.We're going to party until the end of the night.
- Je vais attendre jusqu'à la dernière minute.I'll wait until the last minute.
- 89 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are discussing their arrival time for a party.
- LéaJe veux arriver avant le début de la fête.I want to arrive before the start of the party.
- LucasC'est une bonne idée, Lucas.That is a good idea, Lucas.
- LéaOn doit être là avant huit heures.We must be there before eight o'clock.
- LucasD'accord, on partira tôt alors.Okay, we will leave early then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “until” translations and entries avant, avant que, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avant, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
