French Conversation · Level 46
74 words
French word
pourtant
Pronunciation
IPA/puʁtɑ̃/
Meaning
- adverbyet
Example
Il a tort, pourtant il insiste.
He is wrong, yet he insists.
More examples
Pourtant il a dit la vérité.
Yet he told the truth.
Core concept
A claimed conclusion is followed by a fact that refuses to fit it, with pourtant marking the clash.
Common phrases
et pourtant
and yet
Similar words
quand même: In casual speech, shows that an action or result occurs despite expectations or conditions.
malgré tout: Shows that something remains true despite every obstacle or opposing circumstance.
Definition in French
Indique qu'une idée ou un fait survient malgré ce qui a été dit auparavant, marquant une opposition ou une concession.
Word origin
The word combines Old French pour, from Latin pro, with tant, from Latin tantum, and its earlier sense 'for all that' developed into a concessive adverb.
Usage tips
- Pourtant commonly appears at the start of a clause or after its subject, as in 'Il a pourtant raison', rather than only between two clauses.