French word

lorsque

Pronunciation

IPA/lɔʁskə/

Meaning

  • conjunctionwhen

Example

Lorsque je pars, je ferme la porte.

When I leave, I close the door.

Illustration for lorsque (when)

More examples

Je suis heureux lorsque tu réussis.

I am happy when you succeed.

Core concept

A time marker linking an event to the moment that another event begins or happens.

Common phrases

  • lorsque tu arrives

    when you arrive

  • lorsque je pars

    when I leave

Similar words

quand: Indicates when an event or action takes place, often in everyday speech.
pendant que: Indicates that two events or actions happen at the same time.
dès que: Indicates that one event happens immediately after another.
au moment où: Indicates the exact moment when an event occurs.

Definition in French

Introduit le moment où se produit une action ou un état, souvent utilisée en style plus soutenu que « quand ».

Word origin

The compound lorsque developed from Old French lors, meaning "at that time," and que, a conjunction.

Usage tips

  • Lorsque is more formal than quand in many contexts, so quand is often preferred in everyday speech.

Opposites

  • avant quebeforeconjunction

Word lists with this word