pourtant
/puʁ.tɑ̃/
The English phrase 'yet' can be translated into French. The default form is pourtant. Wiktionary also lists mais and or.
Meaning: nevertheless, however (conj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| pourtant | /puʁ.tɑ̃/ |
| mais | /mɛ/ /mɛ.z‿/ |
| or | /ɔʁ/ |
When 'yet' is used to mean 'nevertheless' or 'however' to express a contradiction or a surprising fact, you can use pourtant.
Which one should you use?
pourtant is used to express a contradiction or a surprising fact, similar to 'nevertheless' or 'and yet'. In contrast, mais is a conjunction used to express a simple contrast or opposition.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'not yet' in a temporal sense, use the phrase pas encore.
How do you pronounce it?
/puʁ.tɑ̃/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use pourtant to mean 'not yet'. For the temporal meaning of 'not yet' in a negative construction, you must use encore.
Did you know?
- The word or (meaning 'gold') and the conjunction or (meaning 'yet') are complete strangers. One comes from a root meaning 'to glow', while the other comes from a phrase about the 'current hour'.
- Placing pourtant at the start of a sentence creates a stronger rhetorical emphasis than placing it after the verb.
- In French, the word encore is used for 'yet' in negative sentences, but it can also mean 'again' in positive sentences.
Examples in context
- Ils ne sont pas encore à la maison.They're not home yet.This sentence is useful for seeing how to say 'not yet' using encore.Tatoeba #4855397 by sacredceltic, translation #2547624 by CK
- Je n'ai pas encore rénové la maison.I haven't renovated the house yet.Tatoeba #2922166 by Amastan, translation #3064677 by megamanenm
- Elle n'a pas encore vendu sa maison.She hasn't yet sold her house.Tatoeba #11816573 by calypsow, translation #7388518 by CH
- Je n'ai pas encore reçu le rapport, pourtant il devrait être prêt depuis hier.I haven't received the report yet, however, it should have been ready since yesterday.
- Les chiffres montrent une amélioration significative. Néanmoins, il reste encore du travail à faire.The numbers show a significant improvement. Yet, there is still work to be done.
- Je n'ai pas encore mangé, mais j'ai déjà préparé le dessert.I haven't eaten yet, but I've already prepared dessert.
- Je n'ai pas encore fini mon travail.I haven't finished my work yet.
- 98 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are discussing a difficult hike.
- EmmaLe chemin est escarpé, pourtant nous pouvons y arriver.The path is steep, yet we can make it.
- HugoTu as raison, Emma, mais c'est fatigant.You are right, Emma, but it is tiring.
- EmmaOn peut faire une pause si tu veux.We can take a break if you want.
- HugoMerci, je suis vraiment épuisé.Thanks, I am truly exhausted.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yet” translations and entries pourtant, mais, or, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mais, or, pourtant, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
