Tantôt (en. Sometimes)
/tɑ̃.to/
Meaning & Definition
EnglishFrench
adverb
Indicates a past or future moment in the near future.
I will come to see you soon.
Je viendrai te voir tantôt.
Can be used to denote a moment of uncertainty in the timeline.
Sometimes he was happy, sometimes he seemed sad.
Tantôt, il était heureux, tantôt, il semblait triste.
Used to signify alternately.
Sometimes he smiled, sometimes he got angry.
Il tantôt sourit, tantôt se fâcha.
Etymology
Comes from the old French 'tantot', deriving from 'tant' and 'ôt', meaning 'at this moment' or 'this and that'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
see you soon
To meet someone at a near future moment.
voir tantôt
sometimes early, sometimes late
The dynamism of a situation that varies over time.
tantôt en avance, tantôt en retard
arrive soon
About to arrive in the immediate future.
arriver tantôt
Related Words
soon
An adverb meaning 'at that moment' or 'at this hour'.
tantôt
often
An adverb describing a high frequency over time.
souvent
Slang Meanings
Right at this moment
He left a little while ago; he will be back soon.
Il est parti tantôt, il sera de retour tantôt.
Soon
We'll see each other soon to discuss the project.
On se voit tantôt pour discuter du projet.