admin“Quand même” is one of the most common expressions used in French. It can be translated into many different words in English, depending on the context.
Literal translation: When even
Actual Meaning(s): Finally, eventually, still, anyway, honestly etc…
Listen to the Audios below & practice your pronunciation with the right intonation!
- Finally
Imagine, you are waiting for a good friend at a café but he/she is very late. So when she/he arrives you could say first, in a joking tone
Ex: Ah, quand même! Ah, Finally! ( Meaning: I thought you forgot about me!)
2. Honestly
….Or you could be annoyed and say
Ex: Pffff, quand même! Honestly! (Meaning: This is a bit too much now)
3. Still
You are talking to a friend about your experience in a foreign country as an au pair
Ex:
Your friend: C’est super d’avoir eu le courage de partir travailler à l’étranger pendant un an
It’s great to have had the courage to work overseas for one year
You: Oui c’était super mais tu sais, très difficile quand même !
Yes it was great but you know, still very difficult
4. Anyway
In the exact same situation, you could also reply…
You: Oui, j’avais peur mais je l’ai fait quand même
I was afraid, but I did it anyway.
