What does alors in French mean?

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

The word alors in French means then, so, or, or else, so?, then, so, Well!, Well, there!, just as, while, when, even though, whereas, then, and then, Well I never!, What an idiot!, Fab!, then what?, so what?, until then, For crying out loud! For goodness' sake!, Holy cow!, Drat!, Blast!, Darn it!. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word alors

then

adverbe (en ce cas)

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

Si tu sais conduire, alors tu peux prendre la voiture.

If you can drive, then you can take the car.

so

adverbe (familier (pour engager une conversation)

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

Alors, raconte ce qui s'est passé ! Alors, ton nouveau voisin, il est comment ?

So then, what's your new neighbour like?

or, or else

locution conjonction (autrement, si ce n'est pas le cas)

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

Il est en retard ou alors il ne viendra pas.

He's late or else he's not coming.

so?

adverbe (familier (cela ne change rien)

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

Tu n'y crois pas ? Et alors ?

You don't believe it? So?

then

adverbe (à ce moment-là)

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

Alors, nous habitions Paris.

We lived in Paris at the time.

so

locution adverbiale (si j'ai bien compris)

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

Alors comme ça, tu as décidé de faire un tour du monde avant de commencer à travailler ? Alors comme ça, il paraît que je parle trop fort ?

Well!, Well, there!

interjection (insiste sur un sentiment)

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

– Quelle est la monnaie du Pérou ? – Alors là, je n'en sais rien ! Et tu as fini le marathon en moins de 2 h 30 ? Alors là, bravo !

just as

locution conjonction (tandis que, pendant que) (precise moment)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Mes invités sont arrivés alors même que je sortais de la douche. La cliente se désista alors même que je préparais le contrat.

The client pulled out while I was drawing up the contract.

while, when

locution conjonction (pendant que)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Le facteur est arrivé alors que nous étions à table.

The postman arrived while we were eating.

even though

locution conjonction (en dépit du fait que)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Ce lycéen a eu son bac alors qu'il n'avait pas révisé grand-chose.

That student passed his A levels, even though he hadn't revised much.

whereas

locution conjonction (tandis que, à l'opposé)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Ma sœur est petite alors que je suis grande.

My sister is short, whereas I am tall.

then, and then

locution conjonction (alors)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Well I never!

(quelle surprise !) (surprise)

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

Tu dis que ta fille va se marier la semaine prochaine, ça alors ! Ça alors, quelle surprise de te voir ici !

What an idiot!

interjection (Quel pitre)

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

Julien est monté sur la table pour faire son discours, puis s'est mis à danser, volant la vedette aux mariés. Celui-là, alors !

Fab!

interjection (familier (C'est super !) (informal)

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

- Les enfants, je vous amène à la fête foraine. - Chic alors !

then what?

interjection (quelle est la suite ?)

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

Tu me disais que Sophie a surpris Thomas en train de voler. Et alors ? Qu'est-ce qu'elle a fait ?

so what?

interjection (qu'est-ce que ça change ? on s'en fiche)

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

Simon ne peut pas venir, et alors ? Julien n'aime pas mes peintures ? Et alors ?

until then

adverbe (jusqu'à ce moment-là)

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

Les armées alliées sont venues sauver le pays jusqu'alors occupé par l'ennemi.

The allied armies came to save the country, which up to that point was occupied by the enemy.

For crying out loud! For goodness' sake!

interjection (familier (Zut !) (exasperation)

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

Holy cow!

interjection (familier (zut !) (informal: surprise)

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

Mince alors, j'ai encore oublié de fermer la porte à clé !

Drat!, Blast!, Darn it!

interjection (juron poli) (informal)

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

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