What does maintenant in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word maintenant in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use maintenant in French.

The word maintenant in French means now, today, now, immediately, instantly, from now on, now, already, but, keep, hold, hold, keep, keep, maintain, go ahead with, stick to, maintain, stay, hold up, keep going, maintain, from now on, from now onwards, now it's a done deal, now that's a done deal, it's now or never, from now, from now on, as of now, even now, until now, up to now, so far, now you mention it, now that you mention it, We're really doing well!, not anymore, only now, now and I mean now. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word maintenant

now, today

adverbe (de nos jours)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Maintenant les jeunes font des enfants plus tard.
These days, young people have children later.

now, immediately, instantly

adverbe (tout de suite)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Il faut partir maintenant ou nous manquerons notre train.
We have to leave now or we'll miss our train.

from now on

adverbe (dorénavant)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Maintenant pour gagner, il va falloir faire preuve de ténacité.
From now on, if we want to win, we're going to have to show determination.

now, already

adverbe (déjà)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Ça fait maintenant un an qu'il a déménagé.
It has already been a year since he moved.

but

adverbe (cela dit)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")
C'est ce que je ferais, maintenant toi, tu fais ce que tu veux. Moi, j'ai fait la demande auprès de l'informatique. Maintenant, je ne sais pas s'ils ont fait le nécessaire.
That's what I would do, but you do what you want. I put in a request with IT, but I don't know if they've done the necessary.

keep, hold

verbe transitif (tenir fixe)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Des cadenas maintiennent les portes fermées.
Padlocks hold the doors closed.

hold

verbe transitif (immobiliser)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Le gendarme maintenait fermement le voleur. Le lutteur a maintenu son adversaire au sol quelques secondes.
The wrestler held his opponent down for a few seconds.

keep

verbe transitif (garder une position)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
La suspecte a maintenu son regard fixe pendant tout l'interrogatoire.
The suspect kept her blank expression throughout the interrogation.

keep, maintain

verbe transitif (conserver, faire durer) (preserve)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Sophie fait tout pour maintenir l'harmonie entre ses enfants. // Le gouvernement a pour mission de maintenir la paix sociale.
Sophie does all she can to keep the peace between her children. // The government's job is to keep the peace in society.

go ahead with

verbe transitif (ne pas annuler)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Le groupe a maintenu son concert malgré l'absence de son batteur. // Est-ce que vous savez si l'événement est maintenu malgré la pluie ?
Do you know if the event is still on, despite the rain?

stick to

verbe transitif (affirmer encore) (informal)

(phrasal verb, transitive, inseparable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, not divisible--for example,"go with" [=combine nicely]: "Those red shoes don't go with my dress." NOT [S]"Those red shoes don't go my dress with."[/S])
Le suspect a maintenu sa version des faits.

maintain

(affirmer encore) (affirm)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Je maintiens que Robin n'est pas venu ce jour-là.
I maintain that Robin didn't come that day.

stay

verbe pronominal (conserver le même état)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Le temps a l'air de se maintenir, nous allons pouvoir nous promener.
The weather seems to be holding, so we will be able to go for a walk.

hold up

verbe pronominal (santé, monnaie : être stable) (figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Son état de santé se maintient, mais il n'y a pas d'amélioration.
His condition is stable, but there is no improvement.

keep going

verbe pronominal (politique : ne pas abandonner)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Malgré son score, ce député s'est maintenu au second tour.
Despite his results, the MP kept going in the second round.

maintain

verbe transitif (garder en état de fonctionnement)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Les bons ouvriers maintiennent leurs outils.
Good workmen maintain their tools.

from now on, from now onwards

locution adverbiale (dorénavant)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
À partir de maintenant, tout le monde doit porter son badge de façon visible.
From now on, everyone must wear their badge where it can be easily seen.

now it's a done deal, now that's a done deal

(voilà qui est réalisé) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il fallait que j'aie mon diplôme pour être tranquille, c'est maintenant chose faite.

it's now or never

(l'occasion ne se représentera pas)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

from now, from now on, as of now

locution adverbiale (dores et déjà)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Vous pouvez réserver vos places dès maintenant.
You can book your place from now.

even now

locution adverbiale (encore à l'heure actuelle)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Encore maintenant, je repense à mon grand-père qui m'apprenait à pêcher.
I still think now about my grandfather who taught me to fish.

until now, up to now, so far

locution adverbiale (à ce jour)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Jusqu’à maintenant, j'habitais en France. Désormais, je suis à l'étranger.
I have lived in France until now. From now on I will be abroad.

now you mention it, now that you mention it

(maintenant je m'en souviens)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Ah oui, c'est vrai, maintenant que vous me le dites !
Oh, yes. Now that you mention it, that is right!

We're really doing well!

(ironique, familier (C'est pas malin) (ironic)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
La carte s'est envolée. On est bien avancés maintenant !

not anymore

locution adverbiale (ce n'est plus le cas)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
- Mais je croyais que tu aimais la techno. - Plus maintenant.

only now

locution adverbiale (péjoratif (regret : pas plus tôt)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Tu ne viens pas au repas ce soir et tu me préviens seulement maintenant ?

now and I mean now

locution adverbiale (emphase pour maintenant)

Let's learn French

So now that you know more about the meaning of maintenant in French, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in French.

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