fréquemment
fréquemment em 30 segundos
- Means 'frequently' or 'often' in English.
- Synonym of 'souvent' but slightly more formal.
- Spelled with an 'e' but pronounced with an 'a'.
- Placed immediately after the conjugated verb.
The French adverb fréquemment is a highly useful word that translates directly to 'frequently' or 'often' in English. It is derived from the adjective fréquent (frequent) and is used to describe actions, events, or situations that occur on a regular, repeated basis with short intervals between occurrences. Understanding how and when to use this word is essential for learners aiming to express habits, routines, and the frequency of events in both spoken and written French.
- Core Meaning
- At its core, it indicates a high rate of occurrence. It is synonymous with 'souvent' (often) but carries a slightly more formal or precise tone, often implying a measurable or observable pattern.
Il pleut fréquemment dans cette région pendant l'automne.
When native speakers use this term, they are often distinguishing between something that happens occasionally (parfois) and something that happens almost all the time (toujours). It sits comfortably in the upper-middle range of frequency adverbs. You will hear it in weather reports, medical contexts, professional settings, and everyday conversations when someone wants to emphasize that an action is not a rare anomaly.
- Everyday Usage
- In daily life, you might use it to talk about how often you visit a place, how often a bus arrives, or how often you see a friend.
Nous allons fréquemment au cinéma le vendredi soir.
The placement of the adverb is also crucial. In French, adverbs that modify a verb are typically placed immediately after the conjugated verb. If the verb is in a compound tense like the passé composé, the adverb usually goes between the auxiliary verb and the past participle, though longer adverbs like this one can sometimes be placed at the end of the sentence for emphasis.
- Grammar Placement
- Always remember: Subject + Verb + Adverb. Never place the adverb between the subject and the verb as is common in English (e.g., 'I frequently go' becomes 'Je vais fréquemment').
Elle oublie fréquemment ses clés sur la table.
In professional or academic contexts, this word is indispensable. It is used to describe trends, statistical occurrences, and recurring issues. For instance, a doctor might ask how frequently you experience a symptom, or a software engineer might note that a bug occurs frequently under certain conditions.
Ce problème survient fréquemment lors de la mise à jour.
To truly master this word, you must practice integrating it into your daily descriptions. Start by replacing 'souvent' with 'fréquemment' in your written exercises. Notice how it changes the rhythm of the sentence. Because it has three syllables (fré-quem-ment), it adds a certain weight and musicality to the phrase, which is characteristic of formal French rhetoric.
Les trains sont fréquemment en retard en hiver.
In summary, this adverb is a versatile, essential tool for any French learner. It bridges the gap between basic vocabulary and advanced expression, allowing you to communicate habits and frequencies with clarity and elegance. Whether you are talking about the weather, your hobbies, or professional matters, mastering its use will significantly improve your fluency.
Using fréquemment correctly in a sentence requires an understanding of French syntax, particularly the rules governing adverb placement. Unlike English, where adverbs can often float around the sentence (e.g., 'I frequently eat apples', 'Frequently, I eat apples', 'I eat apples frequently'), French has stricter rules that depend on the tense of the verb and the type of adverb.
- Present Tense Placement
- In simple tenses like the present (présent) or imperfect (imparfait), the adverb is placed immediately after the conjugated verb.
Je voyage fréquemment pour mon travail.
This rule is absolute for simple tenses. You cannot say 'Je fréquemment voyage'. This is a very common mistake for English speakers. The verb must come first, establishing the action, and then the adverb follows to modify how that action is performed.
- Compound Tense Placement
- In compound tenses like the passé composé, short adverbs go between the auxiliary verb and the past participle. However, long adverbs ending in -ment often go AFTER the past participle.
Il a voyagé fréquemment l'année dernière.
Another important structural use is at the beginning or end of a sentence for emphasis. When placed at the beginning, it is usually followed by a comma. This structure is used to set the context for the entire sentence, highlighting the frequency before even introducing the action.
Fréquemment, les touristes se perdent dans ce quartier.
- Negative Sentences
- In negative sentences, the adverb usually follows the second part of the negation (pas).
Je ne le vois pas fréquemment.
It is also common to use this adverb with adjectives to intensify them, though this is less common than using it with verbs. For example, you might describe a 'problème fréquemment rencontré' (a frequently encountered problem). In this passive or adjectival construction, the adverb precedes the adjective or past participle it modifies.
C'est une question fréquemment posée.
By mastering these sentence structures, you ensure that your French flows naturally. The key is to practice the rhythm. French is a syllable-timed language, and long adverbs like this one take up a significant amount of phonetic space in a sentence. Practice reading the examples aloud, ensuring that the adverb smoothly follows the verb without a harsh pause.
While fréquemment is a standard vocabulary word, its usage varies across different contexts. It is not as ubiquitous as 'souvent' in casual street slang, but it is extremely prevalent in media, professional environments, literature, and polite conversation. Knowing where you are likely to encounter it helps you understand the register and tone it conveys.
- News and Media
- Journalists and news anchors love this word. It sounds objective and precise, making it perfect for reporting statistics, weather patterns, or recurring social issues.
Les accidents sont fréquemment causés par la vitesse.
If you listen to French radio stations like France Inter or watch news channels like France 24, you will hear this adverb daily. It is used to describe phenomena that happen with notable regularity. For example, a meteorologist might say that storms occur frequently in a specific region during the summer.
- Medical and Scientific Contexts
- In healthcare, doctors use it to ask about symptoms or describe the side effects of medication. It is a clinical, precise term.
Avez-vous fréquemment des maux de tête ?
In the workplace, especially in corporate or office settings, it is used in emails, reports, and meetings. It conveys a level of professionalism. Instead of saying 'ça arrive souvent' (that happens often), a manager might write 'cette situation se présente fréquemment' (this situation arises frequently) to sound more formal and analytical.
Nos clients demandent fréquemment cette fonctionnalité.
- Literature and Formal Writing
- Authors use it to establish routines for their characters or describe settings. It flows beautifully in written prose.
Il se promenait fréquemment le long de la Seine au crépuscule.
Finally, you will encounter it in customer service and technical support. 'Questions fréquemment posées' is the literal translation of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). You will see this heading on almost every French website. Understanding this word in these varied contexts helps you navigate French society, from reading the news to understanding medical advice and interacting with businesses.
Consultez notre liste de questions fréquemment posées.
When learning fréquemment, students often stumble over a few specific hurdles. These range from spelling errors due to tricky French orthography rules, to pronunciation mistakes, and syntactical errors regarding where to place the word in a sentence. Let's break down the most common pitfalls so you can avoid them.
- Spelling: -emment vs -amment
- The most common mistake, even among native French speakers, is spelling it 'fréquamment'. Because it is pronounced with an 'a' sound, people naturally want to spell it with an 'a'.
Correct: fréquemment | Incorrect: fréquamment
The rule is simple: if the masculine adjective ends in -ent (like fréquent, évident, patient), the adverb ends in -emment. If the masculine adjective ends in -ant (like bruyant, constant), the adverb ends in -amment. Both are pronounced exactly the same way (/a.mɑ̃/), which is why the spelling is so tricky. Memorizing the root adjective 'fréquent' will save you from this error.
- Pronunciation: The Hidden 'A'
- English speakers often try to pronounce the 'e' in the middle as an 'e' sound (fré-ke-ment). This is incorrect. The 'em' combination here makes an 'am' sound.
Pronunciation: fré - ka - man
Another frequent error is sentence placement. As discussed earlier, English allows for flexible adverb placement. French does not. You cannot put the adverb between the subject pronoun and the verb.
- Syntax Error: Subject-Adverb-Verb
- Never say 'Je fréquemment mange'. It must be 'Je mange fréquemment'.
Incorrect: Il fréquemment lit. -> Correct: Il lit fréquemment.
Finally, overusing the word can make your speech sound unnaturally formal. While it is a great word, using it in every sentence instead of 'souvent' can make you sound like a news anchor or a textbook. Mix it up! Use 'souvent' for casual chats, 'parfois' for occasionally, and reserve this word for when you want to add a touch of precision or formality to your statement.
Je vais au parc souvent. (Casual) vs. Je m'y rends fréquemment. (Formal)
The French language offers a rich variety of adverbs to express frequency. While fréquemment is excellent, knowing its synonyms and alternatives allows you to express nuances in meaning, adjust your formality level, and avoid repetition in your writing and speaking. Let's explore the most common alternatives and how they compare.
- Souvent (Often)
- This is the most direct and common synonym. 'Souvent' is used in everyday, casual conversation. It is shorter, easier to pronounce, and fits into any context. If 'fréquemment' is 'frequently', 'souvent' is 'often'.
Je mange souvent des pommes.
When choosing between the two, consider your audience. Talking to a friend? Use 'souvent'. Writing a formal essay or speaking in a business meeting? 'Fréquemment' is the better choice.
- Régulièrement (Regularly)
- This word implies a set pattern or schedule. While something that happens frequently might be random, something that happens regularly follows a routine.
Je fais du sport régulièrement.
If you want to express that something happens all the time, without exception, you would use 'toujours' (always) or 'constamment' (constantly). These represent the extreme end of the frequency spectrum, beyond just 'frequently'.
- Constamment (Constantly)
- This implies an action that never stops or happens with annoying frequency. It is stronger than 'fréquemment'.
Il se plaint constamment.
On the other end of the spectrum, if you want to say something happens less often, you would use 'parfois' (sometimes), 'quelquefois' (sometimes), or 'rarement' (rarely). Understanding this scale of frequency adverbs (jamais -> rarement -> parfois -> souvent/fréquemment -> toujours) is crucial for accurate expression.
Il vient parfois, mais pas fréquemment.
Je lui ai dit maintes fois.
How Formal Is It?
Curiosidade
The suffix '-ment' comes from the Latin noun 'mens, mentis' meaning 'mind'. In Late Latin, people started saying things like 'clara mente' (with a clear mind) to mean 'clearly'. This eventually fused into the French suffix '-ment', turning adjectives into adverbs.
Guia de pronúncia
- Pronouncing the 'e' in 'emment' as an 'e' instead of an 'a'.
- Pronouncing the final 't' (it should be silent).
- Failing to nasalize the final 'ent'.
- Pronouncing the 'qu' as 'kw' instead of just 'k'.
- Putting the stress on the first syllable instead of the last.
Nível de dificuldade
Easy to recognize because it looks like the English word 'frequently'.
Difficult to spell due to the -emment ending and the double 'm'.
Tricky to pronounce correctly (fré-ka-man) and to place correctly in the sentence.
Can be missed in fast speech, but the four syllables make it somewhat distinct.
O que aprender depois
Pré-requisitos
Aprenda a seguir
Avançado
Gramática essencial
Adverb Placement in Simple Tenses
Je mange fréquemment. (After the conjugated verb)
Adverb Placement in Compound Tenses
J'ai voyagé fréquemment. (Long adverbs often go after the past participle)
Formation of Adverbs from Adjectives ending in -ent
fréquent -> fréquemment (Replace -ent with -emment)
Pronunciation of -emment
Pronounced as /a.mɑ̃/ (like 'amant')
Adverbs Modifying Adjectives
Une question fréquemment posée. (Adverb before the adjective)
Exemplos por nível
Je mange fréquemment des pommes.
I frequently eat apples.
Adverb placed directly after the present tense verb.
Il pleut fréquemment ici.
It rains frequently here.
Used with an impersonal verb (il pleut).
Elle lit fréquemment.
She reads frequently.
Simple subject + verb + adverb structure.
Nous allons fréquemment au parc.
We frequently go to the park.
Adverb placed before the prepositional phrase.
Vous parlez fréquemment.
You speak frequently.
Basic present tense usage.
Ils voyagent fréquemment.
They travel frequently.
Used with a regular -er verb.
Je vois fréquemment mon ami.
I frequently see my friend.
Adverb placed between verb and direct object.
Le bus passe fréquemment.
The bus passes frequently.
Describing a routine event.
Je visite fréquemment mes grands-parents le week-end.
I frequently visit my grandparents on weekends.
Adding time expressions (le week-end) after the adverb.
Il oublie fréquemment ses clés à la maison.
He frequently forgets his keys at home.
Adverb between verb and object.
Nous dînons fréquemment dans ce restaurant italien.
We frequently dine in this Italian restaurant.
Describing a habit.
Elle utilise fréquemment son téléphone portable.
She frequently uses her mobile phone.
Common daily action.
Les trains sont fréquemment en retard en hiver.
Trains are frequently late in winter.
Used with the verb 'être' and an adjective phrase.
Je ne regarde pas fréquemment la télévision.
I do not frequently watch television.
Placement in a negative sentence (after 'pas').
Faites-vous fréquemment du sport ?
Do you frequently do sports?
Placement in an inverted question.
C'est un mot que j'entends fréquemment.
It's a word that I hear frequently.
Used in a relative clause.
L'année dernière, j'ai voyagé fréquemment pour mon travail.
Last year, I traveled frequently for my work.
Placed after the past participle in passé composé.
Quand j'étais enfant, je tombais fréquemment malade.
When I was a child, I frequently fell ill.
Used with the imparfait for past habits.
C'est une erreur fréquemment commise par les débutants.
It is an error frequently made by beginners.
Modifying a past participle acting as an adjective.
Il est nécessaire de sauvegarder fréquemment vos données.
It is necessary to frequently back up your data.
Modifying an infinitive verb.
Bien qu'il étudie fréquemment, il a des difficultés.
Although he studies frequently, he has difficulties.
Used within a concessive clause.
Elle m'a dit qu'elle y allait fréquemment.
She told me that she went there frequently.
Used in reported speech with the imparfait.
Nous nous rencontrons fréquemment pour discuter du projet.
We meet frequently to discuss the project.
Used with a reflexive verb.
Les tempêtes surviennent fréquemment dans cette région côtière.
Storms occur frequently in this coastal region.
Describing geographical phenomena.
Fréquemment, les solutions les plus simples sont les meilleures.
Frequently, the simplest solutions are the best.
Placed at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis.
C'est une question fréquemment posée lors des entretiens d'embauche.
It is a frequently asked question during job interviews.
Standard collocation (FAQ).
Il s'agit d'un phénomène fréquemment observé chez cette espèce.
It is a phenomenon frequently observed in this species.
Formal scientific register.
Je doute qu'il vienne si fréquemment sans raison.
I doubt that he comes so frequently without a reason.
Used within a subjunctive clause.
Plus vous pratiquerez fréquemment, plus vous progresserez rapidement.
The more frequently you practice, the faster you will progress.
Used in a comparative structure (Plus... plus...).
Ces réunions, bien que fréquemment ennuyeuses, sont obligatoires.
These meetings, although frequently boring, are mandatory.
Modifying an adjective directly.
Il aurait fallu qu'il s'entraîne plus fréquemment pour gagner.
He should have trained more frequently to win.
Used with the past conditional and subjunctive.
La machine tombe en panne si fréquemment qu'il faut la remplacer.
The machine breaks down so frequently that it must be replaced.
Used with 'si' to express consequence.
L'auteur recourt fréquemment à des métaphores filées dans son œuvre.
The author frequently resorts to extended metaphors in his work.
Literary analysis context.
Cette clause est fréquemment invoquée pour annuler le contrat.
This clause is frequently invoked to cancel the contract.
Legal and formal register.
Il est d'autant plus inquiétant que ces incidents se reproduisent si fréquemment.
It is all the more worrying that these incidents recur so frequently.
Complex sentence structure with 'd'autant plus que'.
Fréquemment remanié, le projet de loi a finalement été adopté.
Frequently revised, the bill was finally adopted.
Participial phrase at the beginning of a sentence.
C'est un argument fréquemment mis en avant par l'opposition.
It is an argument frequently put forward by the opposition.
Political discourse.
Bien que fréquemment critiquée, cette méthode a fait ses preuves.
Although frequently criticized, this method has proven itself.
Concessive clause with a past participle.
Les fluctuations du marché sont fréquemment imprévisibles à court terme.
Market fluctuations are frequently unpredictable in the short term.
Economic context.
Il s'en remet fréquemment à l'avis de ses conseillers les plus proches.
He frequently defers to the advice of his closest advisors.
Advanced vocabulary (s'en remettre à).
L'usage de ce terme, bien que fréquemment attesté au XVIIe siècle, est aujourd'hui obsolète.
The use of this term, although frequently attested in the 17th century, is obsolete today.
Academic historical linguistics context.
C'est dans ces interstices du quotidien que se nichent le plus fréquemment nos angoisses.
It is in these interstices of daily life that our anxieties most frequently nestle.
Poetic/philosophical register.
On a trop fréquemment tendance à occulter les causes structurelles du problème.
There is too frequently a tendency to obscure the structural causes of the problem.
Sociological or analytical discourse.
Aussi fréquemment qu'il ait pu la contredire, il n'en admirait pas moins sa sagacité.
As frequently as he might have contradicted her, he nonetheless admired her sagacity.
Highly complex concessive structure with subjunctive.
La jurisprudence a fréquemment statué en faveur de la partie lésée dans de tels cas.
Jurisprudence has frequently ruled in favor of the injured party in such cases.
Advanced legal terminology.
Ce motif ornemental se retrouve fréquemment sur les chapiteaux romans de la région.
This ornamental motif is frequently found on the Romanesque capitals of the region.
Art history context.
Il est des silences qui, plus fréquemment que les mots, trahissent la pensée.
There are silences which, more frequently than words, betray one's thoughts.
Literary phrasing with 'Il est des...'.
Le paradoxe veut que les ressources les plus fréquemment exploitées soient les moins renouvelables.
The paradox is that the most frequently exploited resources are the least renewable.
Complex sentence expressing a paradox.
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
— Frequently Asked Questions. A list of common questions and answers on a website.
La réponse se trouve dans les questions fréquemment posées.
— A frequently encountered problem. Used to describe common issues.
C'est un problème fréquemment rencontré par les utilisateurs.
— A frequently made mistake. Often used in teaching or instructions.
Voici une erreur fréquemment commise en français.
— To occur frequently. Used for events or phenomena.
Les tremblements de terre se produisent fréquemment ici.
— To fall ill frequently.
Les enfants tombent malade fréquemment en hiver.
Frequentemente confundido com
'Souvent' is more casual and common. 'Fréquemment' is slightly more formal and precise.
'Régulièrement' implies a set schedule or routine. 'Fréquemment' just means a lot of times, not necessarily on a schedule.
'Fréquent' is the adjective (used to describe nouns). 'Fréquemment' is the adverb (used to describe verbs).
Expressões idiomáticas
— To be in the habit of doing something. A phrase used to express frequent actions.
J'ai l'habitude de lire le soir.
neutral— To be accustomed to doing something, often something negative.
Il est en retard, il est coutumier du fait.
formal— At every opportunity, constantly, all the time. Very informal.
Il se plaint à tout bout de champ.
informal— To not stop doing something, to do it frequently.
Il n'arrête pas de parler.
neutral— Without stopping, continuously or very frequently.
Le téléphone sonne sans arrêt.
neutral— Every other day. A specific frequency.
Je vais à la salle de sport un jour sur deux.
neutral— As usual. Implies a frequent, expected action.
Il est en retard, comme d'habitude.
neutral— Every five minutes. Used hyperbolically to mean very frequently.
Il vérifie son téléphone toutes les cinq minutes.
informalFácil de confundir
Both mean 'often'.
'Souvent' is everyday language. 'Fréquemment' is slightly more formal and emphasizes the high rate of occurrence.
Je le vois souvent. (Casual) / Ce problème survient fréquemment. (Formal)
Both describe recurring events.
'Régulièrement' implies a pattern (e.g., every Tuesday). 'Fréquemment' just means many times, which could be random.
Je paie mes factures régulièrement. / Il perd ses clés fréquemment.
Both describe high frequency.
'Constamment' means constantly, without stopping. 'Fréquemment' means often, but with breaks in between.
Il parle constamment. (Never stops) / Il voyage fréquemment. (Often, but not always traveling)
Similar spelling (-emment) and both relate to large amounts.
'Abondamment' means abundantly (quantity). 'Fréquemment' means frequently (time/occurrences).
Il pleut abondamment. (A lot of water) / Il pleut fréquemment. (Many times)
Similar spelling and both are time adverbs.
'Récemment' means recently (in the near past). 'Fréquemment' means frequently (often).
Je l'ai vu récemment. (Not long ago) / Je le vois fréquemment. (Often)
Padrões de frases
Sujet + Verbe + fréquemment.
Je lis fréquemment.
Sujet + Verbe + fréquemment + Complément.
Je vais fréquemment au cinéma.
Sujet + Auxiliaire + Participe Passé + fréquemment.
Il a voyagé fréquemment.
C'est un(e) [Nom] fréquemment [Participe Passé].
C'est une question fréquemment posée.
Fréquemment, + Sujet + Verbe...
Fréquemment, il oublie ses clés.
Sujet + Verbe + plus/moins fréquemment que...
Il vient plus fréquemment qu'avant.
Bien que fréquemment [Participe Passé], ...
Bien que fréquemment critiqué, il a réussi.
Il est d'autant plus [Adjectif] que [Sujet] [Verbe] si fréquemment.
Il est d'autant plus inquiétant qu'il échoue si fréquemment.
Família de palavras
Substantivos
Verbos
Adjetivos
Relacionado
Como usar
Very Common
-
Spelling it 'fréquamment'.
→
fréquemment
Because it is pronounced with an 'a' sound, many people spell it with an 'a'. However, because the root adjective is 'fréquent', it must be spelled with an 'e'.
-
Saying 'Je fréquemment mange'.
→
Je mange fréquemment.
Adverbs cannot be placed between the subject pronoun and the verb in French. They must follow the conjugated verb.
-
Pronouncing it 'fré-ke-ment'.
→
fré-ka-man
The 'em' combination in this specific adverbial suffix makes an 'am' sound. Pronouncing it with an 'e' sound is a dead giveaway of a non-native speaker.
-
Using it to mean 'currently'.
→
actuellement
Some learners confuse 'fréquemment' (frequently) with 'actuellement' (currently) or 'récemment' (recently) due to the similar suffix. Ensure you know the meaning.
-
Saying 'Il a fréquemment voyagé' (though not strictly wrong, it's less natural).
→
Il a voyagé fréquemment.
Long adverbs ending in -ment generally sound better and are more traditionally placed after the past participle in compound tenses.
Dicas
The -ent to -emment Rule
If the masculine adjective ends in -ent (fréquent), the adverb ends in -emment. If it ends in -ant (bruyant), the adverb ends in -amment. Memorize the adjective to get the adverb right.
The 'A' Sound
Never pronounce the middle 'e' as an 'e'. It is always an 'a' sound. Practice saying 'fré-ka-man' until it feels natural.
Verb First, Adverb Second
English speakers love putting adverbs before verbs ('I frequently go'). In French, this is illegal. Always verb first: 'Je vais fréquemment'.
Upgrade Your 'Souvent'
If you find yourself writing 'souvent' too many times in an essay, swap it out for 'fréquemment' to instantly boost your grade and sound more formal.
Business French
In professional emails, 'fréquemment' is your best friend. It sounds objective and analytical, perfect for reporting issues or trends.
Catching the Rhythm
Because it has three pronounced syllables (fré-ka-man), it creates a specific rhythm in a sentence. Listen for this rhythm in French news podcasts.
Alternative Phrases
To sound very native, try using 'maintes fois' (many times) instead of 'fréquemment' in a literary or dramatic context.
FAQ Association
Every time you see 'FAQ' on a website, remind yourself that it stands for 'Questions Fréquemment Posées' in French.
Passé Composé Placement
While short adverbs (bien, mal, souvent) go between the auxiliary and the participle, long ones like 'fréquemment' usually go at the very end: 'J'ai lu fréquemment'.
Not a Routine
Remember that 'fréquemment' means 'a lot', but not necessarily on a schedule. If it's on a schedule, use 'régulièrement'.
Memorize
Mnemônico
Imagine a group of FREQUENT MEN visiting a café every single day. They go there FREQUENTLY. Frequent men = Fréquemment.
Associação visual
Visualize a calendar where almost every single day is crossed out with a big red X, showing that an event happens very often.
Word Web
Desafio
Write three sentences about things you do frequently using 'Je [verb] fréquemment...'. For example: Je lis fréquemment.
Origem da palavra
The word 'fréquemment' comes from the Middle French word 'frequentement', which was formed by adding the adverbial suffix '-ment' to the adjective 'fréquent'. The adjective 'fréquent' itself comes from the Latin 'frequentem', the accusative of 'frequens', meaning 'crowded, repeated, frequent'.
Significado original: In Latin, 'frequens' originally meant a large gathering or a crowded place, and evolved to mean something that happens often or in quick succession.
Indo-European > Italic > Romance > Gallo-Romance > FrenchContexto cultural
No specific cultural sensitivities. It is a neutral, objective word.
English speakers often default to 'souvent' because it is taught first. Using 'fréquemment' makes you sound more advanced and native-like in formal situations.
Pratique na vida real
Contextos reais
Weather
- Il pleut fréquemment
- Des tempêtes surviennent fréquemment
- Un vent fréquemment fort
- Il neige fréquemment
Health
- Tomber malade fréquemment
- Avoir fréquemment mal à la tête
- Un symptôme fréquemment observé
- Se laver les mains fréquemment
Technology
- Questions fréquemment posées
- Mettre à jour fréquemment
- Un bug fréquemment signalé
- Sauvegarder fréquemment
Work/Business
- Voyager fréquemment
- Des réunions fréquemment annulées
- Un problème fréquemment rencontré
- Communiquer fréquemment
Daily Routine
- Aller fréquemment au cinéma
- Manger fréquemment au restaurant
- Oublier fréquemment ses clés
- Visiter fréquemment ses amis
Iniciadores de conversa
"Qu'est-ce que tu fais fréquemment le week-end pour te détendre ?"
"Y a-t-il un endroit que tu visites fréquemment dans ta ville ?"
"Quel est le problème que tu rencontres le plus fréquemment au travail ?"
"Manges-tu fréquemment au restaurant ou préfères-tu cuisiner ?"
"Utilises-tu fréquemment les réseaux sociaux pendant la journée ?"
Temas para diário
Décris une activité que tu fais fréquemment et explique pourquoi tu l'aimes.
Quelles sont les erreurs que tu fais fréquemment en apprenant le français ?
Pense à une personne que tu vois fréquemment. Décris votre relation.
Quels sont les sites web que tu visites le plus fréquemment et pourquoi ?
Écris sur une chose que tu oublies fréquemment de faire.
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt is pronounced 'fré-ka-man'. The 'e' in the '-emment' suffix is pronounced like an 'a'. This is a general rule in French for adverbs ending in -emment or -amment. The final 't' is silent. The stress is on the last syllable.
The spelling is based on the root adjective 'fréquent', which ends in '-ent'. The rule in French is that adjectives ending in '-ent' form their adverbs with '-emment'. Despite the 'e', historical phonetic shifts caused it to be pronounced as an 'a' sound.
In simple tenses (like the present), it goes immediately after the conjugated verb (e.g., 'Je voyage fréquemment'). In compound tenses (like the passé composé), long adverbs like this usually go after the past participle (e.g., 'J'ai voyagé fréquemment'). It can also go at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis.
Yes, they are synonyms. However, 'fréquemment' is slightly more formal and precise. You would use 'souvent' with friends, and 'fréquemment' in an essay, a business email, or when you want to sound more sophisticated.
The adjective form is 'fréquent' (masculine) and 'fréquente' (feminine). You use the adjective to describe a noun (e.g., 'un voyage fréquent'), and the adverb to describe a verb (e.g., 'il voyage fréquemment').
Yes, it is used in spoken French, especially in news broadcasts, professional settings, or polite conversation. However, in very casual street slang or relaxed chats with friends, 'souvent' is much more common.
The direct translation is 'Questions fréquemment posées'. You will often see this abbreviated as FAQ on French websites, just like in English, though sometimes it is fully written out.
Yes. It can be placed before an adjective or a past participle acting as an adjective to intensify it. For example, 'une erreur fréquemment commise' means 'a frequently made error'.
The most direct opposites are 'rarement' (rarely) or 'parfois' (sometimes). If you want to express that something never happens, you would use 'jamais' (never).
Yes, many! Examples include 'évidemment' (evidently), 'récemment' (recently), and 'patiemment' (patiently). They all follow the same pronunciation rule where the 'e' sounds like an 'a'.
Teste-se 200 perguntas
Write a sentence saying you frequently go to the park.
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Write a sentence saying it frequently rains in autumn.
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Write a sentence saying she frequently reads books.
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Write a sentence saying we frequently travel.
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Write a sentence saying they frequently eat at the restaurant.
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Write a sentence saying he frequently forgets his keys.
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Write a sentence saying you frequently see your friends.
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Write a sentence saying the bus frequently passes here.
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Write a sentence saying I frequently use my phone.
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Write a sentence saying she frequently calls her mother.
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Write a sentence saying we frequently play tennis.
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Write a sentence saying they frequently watch TV.
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Write a sentence saying I frequently drink coffee.
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Write a sentence saying he frequently works late.
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Write a sentence saying she frequently buys clothes.
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Write a sentence saying we frequently listen to music.
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Write a sentence saying they frequently go to the beach.
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Write a sentence saying I frequently study French.
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Write a sentence saying he frequently plays video games.
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Write a sentence saying she frequently cooks dinner.
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Say 'I frequently go to the cinema' in French.
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Say 'It rains frequently' in French.
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Say 'She reads frequently' in French.
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Say 'We frequently travel' in French.
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Say 'They frequently eat apples' in French.
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Say 'He frequently forgets his keys' in French.
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Say 'I frequently see my friends' in French.
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Say 'The bus frequently passes' in French.
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Say 'I frequently use my phone' in French.
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Say 'She frequently calls' in French.
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Say 'We frequently play tennis' in French.
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Say 'They frequently watch TV' in French.
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Say 'I frequently drink coffee' in French.
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Say 'He frequently works late' in French.
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Say 'She frequently buys clothes' in French.
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Say 'We frequently listen to music' in French.
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Say 'They frequently go to the beach' in French.
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Say 'I frequently study French' in French.
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Say 'He frequently plays video games' in French.
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Say 'She frequently cooks' in French.
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Listen and write: 'Je vais fréquemment au parc.'
Listen and write: 'Il pleut fréquemment.'
Listen and write: 'Elle lit fréquemment.'
Listen and write: 'Nous voyageons fréquemment.'
Listen and write: 'Ils mangent fréquemment.'
Listen and write: 'Il oublie fréquemment ses clés.'
Listen and write: 'Je vois fréquemment mes amis.'
Listen and write: 'Le bus passe fréquemment.'
Listen and write: 'J'utilise fréquemment mon téléphone.'
Listen and write: 'Elle appelle fréquemment.'
Listen and write: 'Nous jouons fréquemment au tennis.'
Listen and write: 'Ils regardent fréquemment la télévision.'
Listen and write: 'Je bois fréquemment du café.'
Listen and write: 'Il travaille fréquemment tard.'
Listen and write: 'Elle achète fréquemment des vêtements.'
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Use 'fréquemment' to sound more precise and formal than 'souvent' when describing actions that happen often. Example: Je voyage fréquemment. (I travel frequently.)
- Means 'frequently' or 'often' in English.
- Synonym of 'souvent' but slightly more formal.
- Spelled with an 'e' but pronounced with an 'a'.
- Placed immediately after the conjugated verb.
The -ent to -emment Rule
If the masculine adjective ends in -ent (fréquent), the adverb ends in -emment. If it ends in -ant (bruyant), the adverb ends in -amment. Memorize the adjective to get the adverb right.
The 'A' Sound
Never pronounce the middle 'e' as an 'e'. It is always an 'a' sound. Practice saying 'fré-ka-man' until it feels natural.
Verb First, Adverb Second
English speakers love putting adverbs before verbs ('I frequently go'). In French, this is illegal. Always verb first: 'Je vais fréquemment'.
Upgrade Your 'Souvent'
If you find yourself writing 'souvent' too many times in an essay, swap it out for 'fréquemment' to instantly boost your grade and sound more formal.
Conteúdo relacionado
Mais palavras de general
à cause de
A2Uma locução prepositiva usada para introduzir a causa de um evento, geralmente negativo ou neutro. Significa 'por causa de'.
à côté
A2Ao lado de; junto a.
à côté de
A2Next to, beside.
À droite
A2À direita ou do lado direito. Por exemplo: 'Vire à direita na próxima rua'.
À gauche
A2To the left; on the left side.
à la
A2A combinação da preposição 'à' e do artigo feminino 'la', significando 'à' ou 'na'.
à laquelle
B2To which; at which (feminine singular).
à mesure que
B2À medida que; conforme.
abrégé
B1An abstract, summary, or abridgment.
absence
A2The state of being away from a place or person.