jamais

Meaning

Jamais translates to never in English. It is used to express the complete absence of an event or action.

Usage and formality

Jamais is a versatile adverb used in both formal and informal contexts. It can be used to negate a verb, often in conjunction with ne (though ne is frequently omitted in spoken French). For example, Je ne suis jamais allé à Paris (I have never been to Paris) or more casually, Jamais vu ça ! (I've never seen that!).

Pronunciation

The pronunciation is approximately zha-may. The 'j' sound is soft, like the 's' in 'measure', and the 'ai' sounds like the 'ay' in 'say'.

Grammar

When used to negate a verb, jamais typically follows the conjugated verb when there is only one verb, or the auxiliary verb in compound tenses. For example: Il mange jamais (He never eats) or Il n'a jamais mangé (He has never eaten).

It can also stand alone for emphasis: Jamais ! (Never!).

Watch out

While ne...jamais is the standard negation, in informal spoken French, the ne is often dropped, leaving just jamais. Be aware of this common spoken pattern.

Notes

Jamais means never. Use it to indicate something never happens or is not done.