What does fois in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word fois in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use fois in French.

The word fois in French means time, time, time, time, faith, faith, belief, faith, every time, whenever, both, see you next time! until next time!, lots of times, If at first you don't succeed, try, try again, whenever, have more than one iron in the fire, from one time to the next, since last time, sometimes, by any chance?, in case, just in case, twice running, twice in a row, dual carriageway, half as much, half as many, in half the time, twice as much, twice as many, two times wider than high, twice as wide as high, twice as often, two times out of three, two times too many, far too much of, twice, in two gos, in one go, immediately or in instalments, in one go, once again, [x] times less, Once upon a time, there was, there has to be a first time, there has to be a first time for everything, the last time, the last time that, the straw that broke the camel's back, not need to be told twice, Don't all answer at once!, umpteenth time, Well really!, pay in/by instalments, payment in three interest-free instalments, twice, three times, not once, pay in instalments, Absolutely!, for the umpteenth time, for the umpteenth time, for once, the one time + [indicative], pay in three instalments, settle a matter once and for all, if by chance, if perhaps, if perchance, think twice before speaking, think twice before you speak, all those times when, three times less + [uncountable], a third of the time, three times more + [comparative adverb ending in ly], a pittance, next to nothing, one day at a time, another time, once and for all, once, once, once, after, when, once, after, when, once less, one time less, once again, one time too many, just this once, once and for all, once and for all, every other time, again, once again, a first time, another time, one time only, a single time, think twice, think twice about it. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word fois

time

nom féminin (marque la réitération)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Prendre ce médicament trois fois par jour.
Take this medication three times a day.

time

nom féminin (marque la multiplication)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Trois fois cinq font quinze.
Three times five make fifteen.

time

nom féminin (marque l'intensité)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Pierre mange deux fois plus que sa sœur.
Peter eats two times (or: twice) as much as his sister.

time

nom féminin (le moment d'un événement)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Nous l'inviterons une autre fois.
We'll invite him another time.

faith

nom féminin (croyance religieuse)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Sa foi le réconforte dans ses malheurs.
His faith comforts him in his misfortune.

faith, belief

nom féminin (confiance)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le professeur a une foi totale en les possibilités de son élève.
The teacher has absolute faith in his student's potential.

faith

nom féminin (figuré (adhésion)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Sa foi en son parti politique est totale.
He has total faith in his political party.

every time

locution adverbiale (tout le temps)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Non, je ne veux plus jouer à la roulette parce que j'ai l'impression que je perds à chaque fois.

whenever

locution adverbiale (toutes les fois que)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
À chaque fois qu'ils viennent, c'est la même histoire !
Every time they come, it's the same old thing.

both

locution adverbiale (en même temps)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
On ne peut être à la fois au jardin et à la cuisine. Annie est à la fois bonne en maths et en français.
You cannot be both in the garden and in the kitchen. Annie is good at both maths and French.

see you next time! until next time!

interjection (au plaisir de nous revoir !)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Un plaisir de te revoir, à la prochaine fois !

lots of times

locution adverbiale (souvent)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again

(il faut persévérer)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

whenever

locution conjonction (toutes les fois que)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Chaque fois qu'il vient, Pierre apporte un bouquet de roses.

have more than one iron in the fire

locution verbale (chercher à obtenir 2 choses à la fois)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Quand on court deux lièvres à la fois, on n'en attrape souvent aucun !

from one time to the next

locution adverbiale (en fonction des fois)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

since last time

locution verbale (depuis notre dernière rencontre)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Alors, comment ça va depuis la dernière fois ? Vous avez pu avancer sur le projet depuis la dernière fois ?

sometimes

locution adverbiale (familier (parfois)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Des fois, je rêve que je suis une star de cinéma.
Sometimes I dream that I am a movie star.

by any chance?

locution adverbiale (par hasard ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Tu n'aurais pas oublié de ramener du pain des fois ? Tu n'aurais pas vu Marc des fois ?
You haven't forgotten to get bread, have you?

in case, just in case

locution conjonction (familier (si par hasard, au cas où)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")
J'ai toujours un verre d'eau sur ma table de nuit des fois que je me réveillerais au milieu de la nuit avec la gorge sèche.

twice running, twice in a row

locution adverbiale (de façon répétée)

dual carriageway

nom féminin invariable (route avec terre-plein central) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Maintenant que la deux fois deux voies est ouverte, je mets 15 minutes de moins pour aller au boulot.

half as much

locution adverbiale (la moitié)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

half as many

locution adjectivale (divisé par deux) (countable noun)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Paul a deux fois moins d'argent que Simon. Depuis les coupes budgétaires, il y a deux fois moins d'infirmières dans ce service maintenant.
Paul has half as much money as Simon.

in half the time

locution adjectivale (temps divisé par 2)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Grâce à ce nouveau pont, on met maintenant deux fois moins de temps pour rejoindre l'autre rive.
Thanks to this new bridge, you can get to the other side of the river in half the time.

twice as much

locution adverbiale (le double)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Cette année, il a plu deux fois plus que l'année dernière.
This year it rained twice as much as last year.

twice as many

(le double de) (countable noun)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il y a deux fois plus de riz dans son assiette que dans la mienne. Cette année, nous avons eu deux fois de spectateurs que l'année dernière.
There's twice as much rice on his plate as there is on mine.

two times wider than high, twice as wide as high

locution adjectivale (de largeur double de la hauteur)

twice as often

locution adverbiale (le double de fois)

two times out of three

locution adverbiale (66 % du temps)

two times too many

locution adverbiale (figuré (beaucoup trop) (countable noun)

far too much of

locution adverbiale (figuré (beaucoup trop de [qch]) (uncountable noun)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
J'ai encore fait deux fois trop de semoule ; on pourra en manger toute la semaine ! Il y a deux fois trop de techniciens dans ce service.

twice, in two gos

locution adverbiale (une fois après une autre)

in one go

locution adverbiale (d'un seul coup) (colloquial)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

immediately or in instalments

locution adverbiale (échelonné ou pas) (UK)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Vous pouvez payer en une ou plusieurs fois.

in one go

locution adverbiale (d'un coup) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

once again

locution adverbiale (à nouveau)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Encore une fois, ce travail n'est pas terminé.
Once again this work is incomplete.

[x] times less

(quantité : divisé x fois) (with uncountable nouns)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il y a deux fois moins de sucre dans les pâtisseries faites maison. Cette année, il y a eu cinq fois moins de visiteurs que l'année dernière.
There is half as much sugar in home-made pastries.

Once upon a time, there was

(début de conte)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il était une fois, dans un pays lointain, un jeune berger.
Once upon a time, in a land far away, there was a young shepherd.

there has to be a first time, there has to be a first time for everything

(il faut un début)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Notre fils est rentré ivre hier soir. Que veux-tu, il faut bien une première fois !

the last time, the last time that

locution conjonction (la fois précédente où)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
La dernière fois que je suis passé ici, il y avait un restaurant.

the straw that broke the camel's back

nom féminin (occurrence provoquant un ras le bol) (figurative)

not need to be told twice

locution verbale (ne pas hésiter)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Don't all answer at once!

interjection (ironique (Répondez, s'il vous plaît !) (ironic)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

umpteenth time

nom féminin (familier (qui occupe un rang indéterminé) (informal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Je te répète pour la énième fois de ne pas ronger tes ongles.

Well really!

interjection (contestation)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Non mais des fois ! Tu ne me prendrais pas pour un imbécile ?

pay in/by instalments

nom masculin (paiement étalé) (UK)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

payment in three interest-free instalments

nom masculin (achat échelonné sans intérêts) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Pour acheter mon nouveau canapé, j'ai opté pour le paiement en trois fois sans frais.
To buy my new sofa, I chose to pay in three interest-free instalments.

twice

locution adverbiale (emphase pour 2 fois)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

three times

(à 3 reprises)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Par trois fois, j'ai tenté ce concours, et par trois fois, j'ai échoué.

not once

locution adverbiale (jamais)

pay in instalments

locution verbale (échelonner un paiement) (UK)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Absolutely!

(Avec grand plaisir !)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

for the umpteenth time

(familier (pour le redire encore une fois) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Pour la énième fois : mets ton pyjama !

for the umpteenth time

locution adverbiale (familier (pour le redire encore une fois)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Pour la ixième fois : mets ton pyjama !

for once

locution adverbiale (contrairement à habituellement)

Pour une fois, tu n'es pas en retard !

the one time + [indicative]

locution conjonction (malgré une chose rare)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Pour une fois que je fais la vaisselle, on m'appelle au téléphone.

pay in three instalments

locution verbale (payer avec 3 paiements)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

settle a matter once and for all

locution verbale (traiter un problème, une affaire)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

if by chance, if perhaps, if perchance

locution adverbiale (familier (si par hasard)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Si des fois tu passes au magasin, prends du pain, s'il te plaît.

think twice before speaking, think twice before you speak

locution verbale (familier (réfléchir avant de parler)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

all those times when

locution conjonction (à chaque fois que)

three times less + [uncountable]

(1/3 de [qch])

Notre concurrent produit trois fois moins de lait que nous. Ce fermier possède trois fois moins de bêtes que nous.
This farmer has three times fewer animals than the other farmer.

a third of the time

locution adverbiale (1/3 de temps)

Grâce à cette nouvelle ligne de bus, cela me prend trois fois moins de temps pour aller dans le centre : je passe d'une heure de trajet à vingt minutes !

three times more + [comparative adverb ending in ly]

locution adverbiale (figuré (bien plus)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il mange trois fois plus vite qu'avant.
He eats three times faster than before.

a pittance, next to nothing

locution adverbiale (figuré (peu, pas beaucoup)

Je t'en prie, c'était trois fois rien à faire.

one day at a time

locution adverbiale (petit à petit)

We'll take this one day at a time.

another time

locution adverbiale (pas cette fois-ci)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

once and for all

locution adverbiale (de façon très claire)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Une bonne fois pour toutes, range ta chambre !
Once and for all, tidy your room!

once

locution adverbiale (en une seule occurrence) (occasion)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Je vais chez le coiffeur une fois par mois. Je suis allé à Paris une fois, c'était en voyage scolaire.

once

locution adverbiale (un jour) (in the past)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Une fois, j'ai trouvé un billet de 500 euros par terre.

once, after, when

locution conjonction (lorsque, après que)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")
Une fois que je serai bien installé dans mon appartement, je t'y inviterai.
Once I'm settled in my flat, I'll invite you over.

once, after, when

(lorsque, après que)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")
Une fois la vaisselle terminée, je me suis posé devant la télé.
Once the washing up was done, I settled down in front of the TV.

once less, one time less

locution adverbiale (même nombre de fois moins 1)

once again

locution adverbiale (encore une fois)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Tu m'as déçu une fois de plus. Et une fois de plus, j'avais raison !

one time too many

locution adverbiale (péjoratif (fait trop souvent)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

just this once

(de façon inhabituelle)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

once and for all

locution adverbiale (enfin)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

once and for all

locution adverbiale (définitivement)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Allez, réglons cette affaire une fois pour toutes !

every other time

locution verbale (figuré (très souvent)

Mon père oublie une fois sur deux de ranger ses lunettes.

again, once again

locution adverbiale (encore)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
D'accord, je vais essayer de lui expliquer une nouvelle fois !

a first time

nom féminin (un début)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Dans la délinquance, il y a toujours une première fois.

another time

locution adverbiale (une autre fois)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. Too late today, we'll do it another time.

one time only, a single time

locution adverbiale (sans nouvelle occurence)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

think twice, think twice about it

locution verbale (bien réfléchir avant d'agir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Let's learn French

So now that you know more about the meaning of fois in French, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in French.

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French (le français) is a Romance language. Like Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, it comes from popular Latin, once used in the Roman Empire. A French-speaking person or country can be called a "Francophone". French is the official language in 29 countries. French is the fourth most spoken native language in the European Union. French ranks third in the EU, after English and German, and is the second most widely taught language after English. The majority of the world's French-speaking population lives in Africa, with about 141 million Africans from 34 countries and territories who can speak French as a first or second language. French is the second most widely spoken language in Canada, after English, and both are official languages at the federal level. It is the first language of 9.5 million people or 29% and the second language of 2.07 million people or 6% of the entire population of Canada. In contrast to other continents, French has no popularity in Asia. Currently, no country in Asia recognizes French as an official language.