/mɛ̃tnɑ̃/

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Translation

now

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Word origin

Originally the present participle of maintenir ('to maintain, to hold'), literally 'holding in the hand', from Latin manu tenere ('to hold by the hand'). It came to mean 'at this moment, now'.

Origin
Latin
Root
manu tenere
English cognates
maintain, manual, tenant

Examples

.

We need to leave now to catch the train.

, .

Now that you're here, we can start the meeting.

Lyon déménagement.

He now lives in Lyon after moving.

, .

Now it is too late to change your mind.

, .

You can go now, I will take care of the rest.

est un adverbe de temps indiquant le moment présent. Il peut aussi introduire une transition logique dans un raisonnement (maintenant que tu sais la vérité...). Registre neutre, utilisable à l'oral comme à l'écrit.

À l'oral familier, maintenant est souvent abrégé en maintenant complet - contrairement à l'anglais now, il ne se réduit pas. La locution dès maintenant (dès à présent) renforce l'immédiateté : commencez dès maintenant.

Where this fits

Used in

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French · Free printables

maintenant: worksheet, infographic and listicle

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

This word is taught in chapter 2, lesson 11: maintenant, oh, falloir and 6 more words.