Friendly reader Isabel emailed me with an interesting question about the use of toujours and encore:
Can they be used interchangeably, for example when I say:
« Je suis toujours à la recherche d’un appartement »
ou
« Je suis encore à la recherche d’un appartement »
Is it the same thing? When will they mean something different?
I actually found the question quite tricky and had to do a bit of research myself!
Indeed, the use of one word can result in a neutral statement whereas choosing the other word may imply a judgement.
Sometimes, both words can be completely interchangeable!
Finally, the intonation of your voice can also contribute to making the sentence neutral or judgemental.
But here’s my summary and guideline for you! 🙂
- toujours and encore are often translated by “still” ;
- toujours can also mean “always”. (The context should tell you.)
Toujours and encore in an affirmative sentence
1. Toujours can mean “always”.
Examples:
- Je serai toujours là pour toi. (= I’ll always be there for you)
- Je suis toujours à la recherche d’histoires intéressantes pour mon podcast, French Voices. (=I’m always looking for interesting stories for my podcast, French Voices.)
Note: this is true! If you know a native speaker of French with an interesting story/profession/passion, please contact me! Thanks!! 😉
2. Toujours is also most often neutral, just reporting a fact.
Examples:
- Je suis toujours à la recherche d’un appartement. (= I’m still looking for an apartment.)
- (After a blank on the phone:)
“Tu es toujours là?” (=Are you still there? (Yoohoo?!))
3. Encore may imply a judgement, an emotion (positive or negative: irritation, worry, relief, etc.)
Examples:
- « Je suis encore à la recherche d’un appartement » (= I’m once again looking for an apartment).
– This is becoming a habit !! - “Tu es encore là?! Je t’ai dit d’aller au lit!” (= Are you still there?! I told you to go to bed!)
– irritation, annoyance. - “Je n’ai plus d’argent sur moi. Ah si ! J’ai encore trois dollars ! » (= I have no money left on me. Ah, there you are ! I still have three dollars!)
– relief, surprise, excitement.
Note: Remember, the tone of the speaker is important and might change the meaning described above.
Toujours and encore in a negative sentence
…It’s often the opposite!!
1. Ne…pas encore can be translated by “not… yet” and is a neutral statement.
Examples:
- Il n’est pas encore arrivé. (=He hasn’t arrived yet)
- Nous n’avons pas encore trouvé l’appartement de nos rêves. (=We haven’t found our dream apartment yet)
2. Ne…toujours pas can be translated by “still not” and implies an emotion (worry, impatience, etc.)
Examples:
- Il n’est toujours pas arrivé. (= He still hasn’t arrived.)
– worry, he should be there by now. - Nous n’avons toujours pas trouvé l’appartement de nos rêves. (= We still haven’t found our dream apartment.)
– sigh, we’ve been looking a lot and we’re starting to lose hope!
I hope this helps! If, like Isabel, you have a question about French language or French learning, I’d be happy to see how I can help you so don’t hesitate to email me!