The word "so" is a small but incredibly versatile connector in English, often used to express a consequence or conclusion. But what happens when you need to say "so" (meaning "therefore" or "consequently") in French? It's not always a simple one-to-one translation! To truly sound like a native speaker and convey precise meanings, you'll want to explore the various options available. Ready to elevate your French? Let's discover 9 effective ways to say "so" (therefore) in French and enrich your conversational toolkit!

The standard 'so' or 'therefore' – donc

Donc is the most common and versatile French word for 'so' or 'therefore', primarily used to indicate a consequence or conclusion.

Its primary function is to link a cause or reason to its effect or conclusion. Think of it as answering 'what follows from this?' or 'as a result of this'.

Donc is quite flexible in its placement. It can appear at the beginning of a sentence, after the verb, or even after the subject, depending on the emphasis and desired flow.

Unlike some other connecting words, donc can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it a reliable choice for expressing consequence in almost any situation.

Often, donc implies a conclusion that is obvious or already understood by the listener, even if the premise isn't explicitly stated. It can convey a sense of 'naturally' or 'evidently'.

In spoken French, donc can also be used as an interjection, similar to 'so...' or 'well then...' in English, to prompt a response, introduce a new thought, or express slight impatience.

You'll frequently hear it in phrases like Et donc...? (So...?), Alors donc... (Well then...), or at the end of a question for emphasis: Qu'est-ce que tu fais donc ici? (What are you doing here, then?)

Mastering donc significantly enhances your ability to construct logical arguments and express cause-and-effect relationships in French, making your speech and writing much more coherent and natural.

💡 * Il pleut, donc je prends mon parapluie. (It's raining, so I'm taking my umbrella.)

Je suis fatigué, donc je vais me coucher tôt. (I'm tired, therefore I'm going to bed early.)

Vous êtes donc le nouveau stagiaire ? (So you are the new intern?)

Nous avons faim, donc mangeons ! (We're hungry, so let's eat!)

Tu n'as pas de billet, donc tu ne peux pas entrer. (You don't have a ticket, so you can't come in.)

The common 'so' or 'then' (often implying consequence) – alors

The French word alors is one of those versatile terms you'll hear constantly. Its primary meanings are 'so', 'then', or 'in that case', and it often implies a consequence or a transition.

Alors is frequently used to introduce a consequence or conclusion. It connects two ideas, showing that the second logically follows the first, much like 'so' or 'therefore' in English.

Beyond consequence, alors can also act as a temporal marker, meaning 'then' in a sequence of events, or simply as a conversational filler to transition between thoughts, similar to 'well, then...'.

You'll also hear alors used frequently at the beginning or end of questions, often to prompt a response or to ask 'so, what now?' or 'what's up?'.

Depending on the intonation, alors can also add a sense of urgency, impatience, or emphasis to a statement or question, conveying a stronger feeling than a simple 'so'.

Mastering alors is key to sounding more natural and fluent in French, as it's a fundamental connector in everyday conversation and a marker of logical flow.

💡 * J'ai faim, alors je vais manger. (I'm hungry, so I'm going to eat.)

Alors, qu'est-ce que tu fais ce soir ? (So, what are you doing tonight?)

On est arrivés à Paris, et alors on est allés directement à l'hôtel. (We arrived in Paris, and then we went directly to the hotel.)

Il pleut, alors prends ton parapluie. (It's raining, so take your umbrella.)

Alors là, c'est incroyable ! (Now that's incredible!)

The formal 'consequently' or 'therefore' – par conséquent

When you need to express 'consequently' or 'therefore' in French, especially in a more formal context, par conséquent is an excellent choice.

Par conséquent is typically used in written French, academic discourse, or formal speeches. It signifies a logical conclusion or result.

While donc is a common and versatile word for 'so' or 'therefore,' par conséquent carries a stronger, more formal weight, often implying a more direct and significant consequence.

This phrase usually introduces the consequence clause and can often be found at the beginning of a sentence, or after the verb in a more complex structure, often followed by a comma.

It clearly establishes a cause-and-effect relationship, indicating that what follows is a direct and logical outcome of what preceded it.

💡 *Il a plu toute la nuit ; par conséquent, les routes sont glissantes. (It rained all night; consequently, the roads are slippery.)
*Les preuves étaient insuffisantes ; par conséquent, l'accusé a été acquitté. (The evidence was insufficient; therefore, the accused was acquitted.)
*Nous avons manqué le train ; par conséquent, nous arriverons en retard. (We missed the train; consequently, we will arrive late.)
*Le budget a été réduit de manière significative ; par conséquent, plusieurs projets ont dû être annulés. (The budget was significantly reduced; consequently, several projects had to be cancelled.)

The 'as a consequence' or 'therefore' – en conséquence

The French phrase en conséquence directly translates to 'as a consequence' or 'therefore' in English. It serves as a connector to indicate a result or outcome that logically follows from a previous action, event, or statement.

En conséquence is typically employed in more formal contexts, such as official documents, academic writing, or structured speeches. It lends a sense of gravity and logical precision to the cause-and-effect relationship being described.

In a sentence, en conséquence usually appears at the beginning of the clause that expresses the result. It acts as a conjunctive adverb, linking the consequence to the preceding cause. It can be followed by a comma, especially in longer sentences.

While similar in meaning to donc (so, therefore) or par conséquent (consequently), en conséquence often implies a more direct, unavoidable, or significant outcome, emphasizing the logical necessity of the result.

💡 * Il n'a pas respecté les consignes; en conséquence, le projet a pris du retard. (He didn't follow the instructions; as a consequence, the project was delayed.)

La loi a été modifiée; en conséquence, de nouvelles régulations s'appliquent. (The law was changed; therefore, new regulations apply.)

Les preuves étaient accablantes; en conséquence, le verdict fut rapide. (The evidence was overwhelming; consequently, the verdict was swift.)

Le budget a été réduit; en conséquence, nous devons réévaluer nos priorités. (The budget has been cut; therefore, we must re-evaluate our priorities.)

The 'that's why' or 'therefore' – c'est pourquoi

The 'that's why' or 'therefore' – c'est pourquoi

C'est pourquoi is a common French conjunction that translates to "that's why," "this is why," or "therefore." It introduces a consequence or a result of a previously stated cause.

While versatile, c'est pourquoi strikes a balance between formal and informal registers. It's suitable for both written and spoken French, making it a valuable phrase for expressing causality clearly.

It typically appears at the beginning of a clause, linking it to the preceding statement to explain the reason or outcome. For instance, "Il pleut, c'est pourquoi je reste à la maison" (It's raining, that's why I'm staying home).

Unlike donc (so, therefore), c'est pourquoi often emphasizes the reason more explicitly, implying a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Donc can sometimes be a simpler, more direct "so."

Use c'est pourquoi when you want to clearly articulate the consequence or explanation following a specific event or situation, making your French sound more precise and fluent.

💡 * Il faisait froid, c'est pourquoi nous avons mis nos manteaux.

Elle a étudié dur, c'est pourquoi elle a réussi son examen.

Le magasin était fermé, c'est pourquoi je n'ai rien pu acheter.

Nous n'avons plus de lait, c'est pourquoi je dois aller au supermarché.

Il est très tard, c'est pourquoi nous devrions rentrer.

The 'thus' or 'in this way' (often leading to a conclusion) – ainsi

The French adverb ainsi translates to 'thus,' 'in this way,' 'so,' or 'as such.' It's a versatile word used to express a consequence, a manner, or to introduce a conclusion based on what was previously stated. Mastering ainsi will significantly enhance your ability to connect ideas smoothly in French.

One of the primary uses of ainsi is to indicate a consequence or to draw a conclusion. It often acts as a bridge between two ideas, showing that the second idea logically follows from the first. Think of it as a more formal alternative to donc (therefore) or alors (so).

Beyond consequences, ainsi can also describe how something is done, meaning 'in this way' or 'like this.' This usage emphasizes the method or manner of an action, providing clarity on the process involved.

A very common construction is ainsi que, which means 'as well as,' 'just as,' or 'in the same way that.' This phrase is invaluable for listing items or comparing actions, adding elegance to your sentences. It's often used to connect nouns, pronouns, or even clauses.

Ainsi carries a more formal or literary tone compared to its simpler counterparts. While perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation, it's particularly prevalent in written French, academic texts, or more structured speech. Using ainsi can elevate your French prose, making it sound more sophisticated and precise.

💡 *Il a travaillé dur, ainsi il a obtenu une promotion. (He worked hard, thus he got a promotion.)
*Nous avons procédé ainsi, étape par étape. (We proceeded in this way, step by step.)
*Elle aime la lecture, ainsi que le cinéma. (She loves reading, as well as cinema.)
*Les résultats sont clairs, ainsi la décision a été prise. (The results are clear, thus the decision was made.)
*Ainsi va le monde. (Such is the way of the world. / That's how the world goes.)

The 'because of this fact' or 'consequently' – de ce fait

The phrase de ce fait is a formal French expression used to signify 'because of this fact,' 'consequently,' or 'as a result of this.' It introduces a direct consequence or a logical outcome stemming from a previously mentioned situation or fact.

Primarily found in written French, official documents, academic texts, or more formal spoken contexts, de ce fait serves as a sophisticated connector. While similar to donc (so, therefore) or par conséquent (consequently), it carries a slightly more emphatic and formal tone, emphasizing the direct causal link.

Grammatically, de ce fait functions as an adverbial phrase, linking two clauses or sentences. It typically appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause that expresses the consequence, often followed by a comma, but can also be placed after a semicolon.

💡 * Il a manqué le bus, de ce fait il est arrivé en retard au travail. (He missed the bus, consequently he arrived late to work.)

La demande pour ce produit a fortement augmenté. De ce fait, nous avons dû augmenter notre production. (The demand for this product has strongly increased. Because of this fact, we had to increase our production.)

Le rapport contenait des erreurs. De ce fait, il a été révisé. (The report contained errors. Consequently, it was revised.)

Les routes étaient verglacées ; de ce fait, la circulation était très ralentie. (The roads were icy; because of this fact, traffic was very slow.)

The informal 'so' or 'as a result' (very common in spoken French) – du coup

The French expression du coup is a highly common, informal phrase that translates roughly to 'so,' 'as a result,' 'consequently,' or even 'suddenly,' depending on the context.

It's primarily used to link two ideas, indicating that the second idea is a direct consequence or a logical outcome of the first. You'll hear it constantly in everyday spoken French.

While often denoting a cause-and-effect relationship, du coup can also act as a simple transition word or even a filler, reflecting a speaker's thought process. Its informal nature makes it less suitable for formal writing but indispensable for natural conversation.

💡 * J'ai raté mon bus, du coup je suis arrivé en retard. (I missed my bus, so I arrived late.)* Il a plu toute la nuit, du coup le jardin est inondé. (It rained all night, so the garden is flooded.)* Elle a eu une urgence, du coup elle n'est pas venue. (She had an emergency, so she didn't come.)* On n'avait plus de pain, du coup on a mangé des pâtes. (We didn't have any more bread, so we ate pasta.)

The 'from then on' or 'therefore' (implying a logical progression) – dès lors

The French expression dès lors is a versatile phrase that can be translated in a couple of ways, primarily meaning 'from then on' or 'therefore' (implying a logical progression). Understanding its nuances is key to using it correctly in French.

When used in a temporal sense, dès lors indicates a point in time from which an action or state began and continued. It signifies 'from that moment forward,' 'since then,' or 'henceforth.' It marks a clear starting point for a subsequent development.

In its consequential sense, dès lors acts as a connector, much like donc or par conséquent, to introduce a logical conclusion or consequence. It implies 'that being the case,' 'consequently,' or 'as a result of that,' highlighting a cause-and-effect relationship.

Dès lors is generally considered a more formal or literary expression compared to simpler alternatives like à partir de ce moment-là (from then on) or donc (therefore). It's often found in written texts, speeches, or more elevated spoken language, lending a sophisticated tone.

💡 * Elle a rencontré son mari en 2010, dès lors leur vie a changé. (She met her husband in 2010; from then on, their life changed.)

Le nouveau règlement est entré en vigueur, dès lors toutes les entreprises doivent s'y conformer. (The new regulation came into effect; from then on, all companies must comply with it.)

Il n'avait plus de travail, dès lors il a dû chercher une nouvelle source de revenus. (He no longer had a job; therefore, he had to look for a new source of income.)

Les preuves étaient accablantes, dès lors le verdict était inévitable. (The evidence was overwhelming; therefore, the verdict was inevitable.)

Le projet a été approuvé, dès lors nous pouvons commencer les travaux. (The project has been approved; therefore, we can start the work.)

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

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

Our list features the most common ways to say “so” in French. But there are other terms, from old-fashioned ones, to regional ones, to up-and-coming slang ones this middle-aged author might not even be aware of!

You can also do an online search for “comment dire donc en ___” followed by a specific Francophone country or region.

You might find some interesting synonyms for donc on this list. Of course, make sure to check a word’s definition and try to see it used in context before you use it.

Pay attention as you read, watch, and listen to things in French — you may discover different ways to express the idea of “so”.

And if you’re looking for more ways to say “so” or words about consequence and intensity in French, the WordReference entry for donc is a great place to start!

I hope you found this article helpful. Here’s what I think is a perfect quote to finish it with, courtesy of René Descartes: Je pense, donc je suis. (I think, therefore I am.)

9 ways to say "so" (therefore) in French