You probably already know "et" as the most common way to say "and" in French. But did you know there are many other options, each adding a unique flavor or nuance to your sentences?

Learning these alternatives can elevate your French, making your conversations and writing more sophisticated and natural.

Let's explore 9 different ways to say "and" in French, and discover when to use each one!

The most common 'and' – et

Et is the French equivalent of the English word 'and'. It is one of the most basic and frequently used conjunctions in the French language.

Good news for learners: et is remarkably straightforward! Unlike many French words that change based on gender or number, et remains constant. It doesn't inflect, meaning its form never changes.

Its primary function is to connect two or more elements, whether they are nouns, adjectives, verbs, phrases, or even entire clauses, creating a sense of addition or continuation.

As mentioned, et is an invariable conjunction. This means you don't have to worry about agreement; it stays the same regardless of what it's connecting. This makes it a very reliable word in your French vocabulary.

The pronunciation of et is simple: it sounds like the 'e' in 'bed' or 'get'. The final 't' is always silent. (IPA: /e/)

You'll most commonly use et to create lists, similar to how 'and' is used in English. For example, to list items you bought, activities you did, or qualities someone possesses.

Et can also effectively join two independent clauses or sentences, showing that the actions or ideas are sequential or related. This helps build more complex sentence structures.

Beyond simple connections, et appears in many common French expressions, such as et cetera (etc. - and so on), et puis (and then), or when asking 'What about you?' - Et toi/vous ?

As a cornerstone of French grammar, understanding and correctly using et is fundamental for any learner. It's one of the first words you'll learn and one you'll use constantly in everyday conversation.

💡 * J'aime le chocolat et le café. (I like chocolate and coffee.)

Elle est belle et intelligente. (She is beautiful and intelligent.)

Nous allons manger et regarder un film. (We are going to eat and watch a movie.)

Il pleut et il fait froid. (It's raining and it's cold.)

J'ai acheté du pain, du fromage et du vin. (I bought bread, cheese, and wine.)

The 'and then' for sequence – puis

The “and then” for sequence – puis

When you want to express a sequence of events in French, one of the most common and versatile words you'll encounter is puis.

Directly translating to “then” or “and then” in English, puis is used to link actions or events that happen one after another, indicating a clear chronological progression.

While puis is widely understood, it often carries a slightly more formal or literary tone compared to its more casual counterpart, ensuite. This makes it suitable for written instructions or more structured narratives.

You'll frequently find puis in recipes, instruction manuals, or when recounting a series of past events where the order is crucial.

Grammatically, puis typically precedes the verb of the action it introduces, functioning as an adverb to maintain a clear chronological flow without needing an explicit conjunction like "et".

It's important to distinguish puis from alors. While alors can also mean "then," it usually implies a consequence or conclusion ("therefore," "in that case"), rather than simply the next step in a sequence.

💡 * Je me suis levé, puis j'ai pris mon petit-déjeuner. (I got up, then I had my breakfast.)

Lavez les légumes, puis coupez-les en dés. (Wash the vegetables, then cut them into cubes.)

Nous avons visité le musée, puis nous sommes allés au restaurant. (We visited the museum, then we went to the restaurant.)

Elle a fini son travail, puis elle est rentrée chez elle. (She finished her work, then she went home.)

Il a ouvert la porte, puis il est entré. (He opened the door, then he entered.)

The formal 'and then' or 'afterwards' – ensuite

The French word ensuite is a versatile adverb primarily meaning 'then,' 'next,' or 'afterwards.'

It is commonly used to indicate a sequence of actions or events, making it indispensable for recounting stories or giving instructions.

While often translated as 'then,' ensuite carries a slightly more formal tone than its simpler counterpart, puis, though both are widely used in everyday conversation.

Typically, ensuite is placed at the beginning of a clause or sentence to clearly mark the next step or consequence.

It helps to build a clear narrative flow, indicating a logical progression rather than just a simple continuation.

Mastering ensuite will significantly improve your ability to construct coherent narratives and provide clear sequential information in French.

💡 *D'abord, je prends le petit déjeuner, et ensuite je pars au travail. (First, I have breakfast, and then I leave for work.)
*Elle a fini ses devoirs, ensuite elle est allée jouer. (She finished her homework, then she went to play.)
*Nous avons visité le musée, et ensuite nous avons déjeuné. (We visited the museum, and afterwards we had lunch.)
*Lisez les instructions, ensuite commencez l'exercice. (Read the instructions, then begin the exercise.)
*Il a réfléchi un moment, et ensuite il a pris sa décision. (He thought for a moment, and then he made his decision.)

The 'as well as' or 'and also' – ainsi que

The phrase ainsi que translates to “as well as” or “and also” in English, serving as a conjunction to link two elements.

It is considered more formal than the simple conjunction et (“and”). You'll frequently encounter ainsi que in written French, official documents, or more formal spoken contexts, lending a slightly more elegant tone to the sentence.

Ainsi que connects words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical standing. It often places a subtle emphasis on the element introduced after it, suggesting an addition that is equally important or noteworthy.

When ainsi que links two subjects, the verb usually agrees with the first subject, especially if the second element is presented as an additional detail. A comma often precedes ainsi que when it introduces a clause for clarity.

💡 * Le président, ainsi que son équipe, a assisté à la conférence. (The president, as well as his team, attended the conference.)

Nous avons besoin de courage, ainsi que de patience. (We need courage, as well as patience.)

Elle parle français, ainsi que l'espagnol. (She speaks French, as well as Spanish.)

Ce livre est intéressant, ainsi que très instructif. (This book is interesting, as well as very informative.)

J'aime lire des romans, ainsi que des essais. (I like reading novels, as well as essays.)

The 'in the same way as' or 'and similarly' – de même que

De même que is a French conjunction meaning 'in the same way as,' 'just as,' or 'similarly.' It's used to draw a parallel or comparison between two actions, states, or ideas.

This phrase serves to introduce a comparison, indicating that what follows is analogous or identical to what precedes it. It connects clauses or elements that share a similar characteristic or consequence.

While similar in meaning to simpler conjunctions like comme (as/like) or ainsi que (as well as), de même que often carries a slightly more formal or literary tone. It emphasizes the exactness or strong parallelism of the comparison.

Grammatically, de même que functions as a subordinating conjunction. It can introduce a subordinate clause, linking it to the main clause and showing a relationship of comparison or similarity.

💡 * Elle chante magnifiquement, de même que sa mère le faisait. (She sings beautifully, just as her mother did.)

Il est passionné par l'histoire, de même que sa sœur aime la géographie. (He is passionate about history, similarly, his sister loves geography.)

Le climat affecte l'agriculture, de même qu'il influence le tourisme. (The climate affects agriculture, in the same way, it influences tourism.)

J'aime les films d'action, de même que mon frère préfère les comédies. (I like action movies, just as my brother prefers comedies.)

The 'besides' or 'in addition to' – outre

The French word outre is a versatile term that primarily translates to “besides,” “in addition to,” or “beyond.” It’s often used in more formal or literary contexts to introduce additional information or exceptions.

As a preposition, outre is followed by a noun or pronoun, signifying “in addition to” or “besides.” It allows you to add an extra element to a statement without needing a full clause.

When followed by que, forming outre que, it acts as a conjunction meaning “besides the fact that” or “in addition to the fact that.” Importantly, the verb following que in this construction typically requires the subjunctive mood.

While outre can sometimes feel similar to en plus de or à part, it generally carries a more formal or sophisticated tone. It’s also famously part of the expression outre-mer (overseas) or outre-Rhin (across the Rhine, referring to Germany).

💡 * Outre ses talents de chanteur, il est aussi un excellent danseur. (Besides his singing talents, he is also an excellent dancer.)

Outre que ce livre est fascinant, il est aussi très instructif. (Besides the fact that this book is fascinating, it is also very instructive.)

Il a apporté des gâteaux, outre les boissons. (He brought cakes, in addition to the drinks.)

Outre les aspects financiers, il faut considérer l'impact environnemental. (Besides the financial aspects, one must consider the environmental impact.)

The 'not to mention' or 'and also' – sans compter

The French phrase sans compter literally translates to 'without counting' but is commonly used to mean 'not to mention' or 'and also'. It serves to add an additional, often significant, point to an argument or statement.

When followed by a noun or a pronoun, sans compter acts as a prepositional phrase, highlighting an extra item or factor. For example, you might say sans compter les frais (not to mention the fees) or sans compter ça (not to mention that).

It can also introduce a subordinate clause using sans compter que, which means 'not to mention that' or 'besides the fact that'. This construction allows you to add a complete idea or reason, emphasizing its importance.

💡 * Il est très talentueux, sans compter sa gentillesse. (He is very talented, not to mention his kindness.)

Nous avons visité Paris, la Tour Eiffel, sans compter le Louvre. (We visited Paris, the Eiffel Tower, and also the Louvre.)

Elle a déjà beaucoup de travail, sans compter qu'elle doit préparer l'examen. (She already has a lot of work, not to mention that she has to prepare for the exam.)

Le projet est complexe, sans compter le manque de ressources. (The project is complex, not to mention the lack of resources.)

The 'including' or 'and also' – y compris

The phrase y compris is a versatile French adverbial expression that translates to 'including,' 'comprising,' or 'and also.' It's essential for specifying that certain items are part of a larger group or set.

Y compris is invariable, meaning it doesn't change form regardless of gender or number. It typically follows the noun or list of items it refers to, adding clarity and often a touch of emphasis to the inclusion.

While simply listing items can suffice, y compris is often used to specifically highlight an item or a group of items that are part of a larger whole, sometimes implying 'even' or 'especially' that particular element.

💡 *Tout le monde était là, y compris le directeur. (Everyone was there, including the director.)
*Elle a mangé tous les fruits, y compris les oranges. (She ate all the fruits, including the oranges.)
*Nous avons visité plusieurs villes, y compris Paris et Lyon. (We visited several cities, including Paris and Lyon.)
*Le prix comprend toutes les taxes, y compris la TVA. (The price includes all taxes, including VAT.)

The emphatic or conversational 'and then' – et puis

Et puis is a common French phrase that literally translates to "and then" or "and after that". It's widely used in everyday conversation to connect ideas, actions, or to introduce a new element in a sequence. While its literal meaning is straightforward, et puis often carries a more nuanced, emphatic, or conversational tone than simply ensuite (then/next).

Beyond its literal translation, et puis frequently serves as an emphatic connector or a conversational filler. It can convey a sense of "and what else?", "what about?", or "so what now?". This usage adds a natural, spontaneous feel to dialogue, often implying a continuation, a consequence, or a rhetorical question. It's particularly useful when you want to add a bit of emotional weight or follow-up to a statement.

While ensuite is a neutral term for "then" or "next" in a sequence, et puis often implies a more significant or slightly unexpected progression. It's excellent for storytelling, making a list, or describing a series of events where each step builds on the last with a slight emphasis. Think of it as "and then this happened!".

Et puis can also effectively start a sentence, introducing a new idea, a follow-up question, or even a rhetorical challenge. When used at the beginning, it often means "and besides," "what's more," or "so, what then?". This makes it a versatile tool for engaging in dynamic conversations and expressing a range of intentions.

💡 *J'ai mangé, et puis j'ai regardé un film. (I ate, and then I watched a movie.)
*Elle a dit qu'elle viendrait, et puis elle n'est jamais arrivée. (She said she would come, and then she never arrived.)
*Qu'est-ce que tu vas faire ce soir, et puis demain ? (What are you going to do tonight, and then tomorrow?)
*Et puis, qu'est-ce que tu en penses ? (And then, what do you think about it? / So, what do you think?)
*J'ai fait les courses, j'ai préparé le dîner, et puis j'ai lu un livre. (I did the groceries, I prepared dinner, and then I read a book.)

Are there other ways to say 'and' in French?

Are there other ways to say “and” in French?

Our list features the most common ways to say “and” in French, primarily using et. But French, like any language, has many ways to connect ideas. These can range from more formal conjunctions to informal expressions, or even regional variations.

You can also do an online search for “autres façons de dire et en français” or consult a thesaurus for synonyms of conjunctions, paying attention to nuance.

You might find various conjunctions or linking phrases that serve a similar purpose to et. Of course, make sure to check a word’s definition and try to see it used in context before you use it, as some might carry specific implications or formality.

Pay attention as you read, watch, and listen to things in French — you may discover different ways to connect sentences and ideas beyond just et.

And if you’re looking for ways to express connections or add information, the WordReference entry for et and other French conjunctions is a great place to start!

I hope you found this article helpful. Understanding the subtle ways French connects ideas will greatly enhance your fluency and expression. As a bonus, consider this thought: La langue est un trésor vivant, où chaque mot a sa place et son histoire. (Language is a living treasure, where every word has its place and its story.)

9 ways to say "and" in French