parfois
sometimesParfois, je vais à la plage le week-end.
Sometimes, I go to the beach on the weekend.
general
At certain times but not always; occasionally.
Il pleut parfois en été.
It sometimes rains in the summer.
Parfois, elle oublie son parapluie.
Sometimes, she forgets her umbrella.
Used to indicate that something happens occasionally but not regularly.
Collocations
parfois oui, parfois nonsometimes yes, sometimes no
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage Tip
Use 'parfois' to describe actions or events that happen occasionally but not predictably.
Gold Rule
Rule of Thumb
'Parfois' is interchangeable with 'quelquefois' in most contexts.
Word Origin
From Old French 'parfois', from 'par' (by) + 'fois' (time).
Usage Notes
Often used to soften a statement or to indicate that something happens irregularly.
Word Breakdown
par
by
prepositionfois
time
nounDictionnaire Français-Anglais