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How to Say ‘However, I've already poured it into a paper cup.’ in French

Par contre, je l'ai déjà versé dans un gobelet.

par KOHN-truh zhuh l ay de-zhah vair-SAY dahn uhn gob-LAY

[par KOHN-truh zhuh l ay de-zhah vair-SAY dahn uhn gob-LAY]

💬 Usage Tip: Par contre "however" is everyday French for flagging a small snag. You'll hear it constantly in shops and on the phone.

Phrase Breakdown

Par contre,

par KOHN-truh

However,

This is a very common spoken word for 'on the other hand' or 'but'. Pause slightly after it.

Example

C'est bon, par contre c'est cher.

It's good, but it's expensive.

Words in this phrase

Par

[par]

on (in 'par contre')

Part of 'par contre', meaning however.

Example

Par contre, il pleut.

However, it's raining.

contre

[KOHN-truh]

however (in 'par contre')

Literally 'against'; with 'par' it means on the other hand.

Example

C'est bon, par contre c'est cher.

It's good, but it's expensive.

je l'ai déjà versé

zhuh l ay de-zhah vair-SAY

I've already poured it

This is the passé composé with the object 'l'' (it) placed before 'ai'. 'Verser' means to pour.

Example

Je l'ai déjà versé dans la tasse.

I've already poured it into the cup.

Words in this phrase

[zhuh]

Pronoun used by the speaker to identify themselves.

Example

Je suis content.

I am happy.

[l]

Object pronoun replacing something already mentioned, like the breaker or heater.

Example

Je l'ai vérifié aussi ce matin.

I checked it this morning too.

[ay]

have (1st person singular)

« ai » is « avoir » conjugated for « je ». It’s the auxiliary used in the passé composé: « j’ai commencé » = “I started / I have started”.

Example

J’ ai regardé la bande-annonce.

I watched the trailer.

déjà

[de-zhah]

already

Before or by now or the time in question.

Example

Il est déjà parti.

He has already left.

versé

[vair-SAY]

poured

Past participle of 'verser', to pour.

Example

J'ai versé du lait.

I poured some milk.

dans un gobelet.

dahn uhn gob-LAY

into a takeaway cup.

A 'gobelet' is a disposable or takeaway cup. Link 'dans un' as 'dan-z-un'. The final 't' of 'gobelet' is silent.

Example

Un gobelet en carton, s'il vous plaît.

A paper cup, please.

Words in this phrase

dans

[dahn]

Indicates inclusion within space or limits.

Example

Dans la maison, c'était calme.

In the house, it was quiet.

[uhn]

a / an

An indefinite article used before a masculine singular noun.

Example

Un casque est important pour le roller.

A helmet is important for inline skating.

gobelet

[gob-LAY]

cup (disposable)

A cup, often a paper or plastic takeaway cup for drinks.

Example

Je voudrais un gobelet pour emporter.

I would like a cup to take away.

Guides for French learners

Ordering in French: Cafés, Bakeries and Restaurants (with Menu Vocabulary)How to order in French at a café, a bakery and a restaurant: the phrases, the questions staff ask, and the menu and food vocabulary to understand the answers.Hello in French: Greetings, Good Evening and How to Answer "How Are You?"How to say hello in French, when to switch to good evening, how to ask how are you and what to answer, with tu vs vous and native audio.

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