parfois
sometimes
Cela veut dire que quelque chose arrive de temps en temps, mais pas tout le temps.
The French word "parfois" means "sometimes" or "occasionally" in English. It is an adverb used to express that something happens at certain times, but not always or regularly.
For example:
- Il vient parfois nous rendre visite. (He sometimes comes to visit us.)
Synonyms and differences:
- Quelquefois
- Also means "sometimes."
- Very similar to "parfois," and often interchangeable.
- Slight nuance: "Quelquefois" can feel a bit more formal or literary.
- De temps en temps
- Literally means "from time to time."
- More conversational and implies an occasional, less regular occurrence.
- Par moment
- Means "at times."
- Emphasizes particular moments when something happens, sometimes unpredictably.
Overall, "parfois" is a common, neutral adverb for indicating an action occurs occasionally without a strict pattern.
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Examples
Parfois, je vais courir le matin.adverb
Sometimes, I go running in the morning.
Parfois, nous marchons dans le parc.adverb
Sometimes, we walk in the park.
Parfois, tu prends le bus pour aller au travail.adverb
Sometimes, you take the bus to go to work.
Parfois, tu prends un autre chemin.adverb
Sometimes, you take another path.
Je suis parfois en retard.adverb
I am sometimes late.
Il pleut parfois pendant la nuit.adverb
It sometimes rains during the night.
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