Kilo Lingo

/sə.pɑ̃.dɑ̃/

Line drawing of cependant
Coloured illustration of cependant
#1769 of 5,000 Core 5000

Translation

however

Word origin

From the Old French phrase ce pendant ('this hanging', hence 'meanwhile'), with pendant from pendre ('to hang'), from Latin pendere. The sense drifted from 'meanwhile' to the concessive 'however'.

Origin
Old French
Root
ce pendant
English cognates
pendant, pending, depend

Examples

pleuvait ; , .

It was raining; however, we went out.

. , détour.

The restaurant is expensive. However, the food is worth the trip.

', .

She has little experience, yet her work is excellent.

ambitieux, réalisable.

The project is still ambitious, but achievable all the same.

argument ; .

I understand your argument; I do not share it, however.

Where this fits

Used in

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French · Free printables

cependant: worksheet, infographic and listicle

Free printable study downloads for the French word "cependant" (however): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.

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This word is part of lesson 36.