puis

Meaning in English

puis is most often an adverb meaning “then”, “next”, “after that”, used to indicate a sequence in time or actions.

• D’abord je mange, puis je pars. → “First I eat, then I leave.”
• Il a hésité, puis il a accepté. → “He hesitated, then he agreed.”

Multiple meanings / uses

1. Sequence / “then” (most common)

• Marks what happens after something else.

2. Afterwards / later on (slightly broader sense)

• Can mean “later” or “afterwards” in narration.
• On en reparlera puis. (colloquial) → “We’ll talk about it later.”

Parts / form

• puis is a simple word (not built from separable parts in modern French).
• It is an adverb and is often paired with d’abord (“first”), ensuite (“then/next”), après (“after”), etc.

French synonyms

• ensuite (then/next)
• après (after)
• après cela / après ça (after that)
• puis après (colloquial, “and then after that”)

French antonyms (when applicable)

There is no strict antonym, but in a sequence you might contrast it with:

• d’abord / premièrement (“first”)
• avant (“before”)