Languages › French How to Use the French Adverb 'Enfin' ('At Last, Finally') Print Harald Nachtmann / Getty Images French Vocabulary Pronunciation & Conversation Grammar Resources For Teachers By ThoughtCo Team Updated on January 28, 2019 Enfin, pronounced "a(n) feh(n)," is a French adverb that means "at last, finally, in short, at least." It is usually used in a declarative manner, but it can also be an exclamation: Enfin ! > Finally! Note that in informal speech, enfin is often abbreviated to a single syllable: 'fin. A Common French Expression Read More How to Use the French Adverbial Phrase 'Tout à Fait' By ThoughtCo Team Enfin is among the most common French expressions, such as: Allons-y ! ("Let's go!") Bon appétit ! ("Enjoy your meal!") Ce n'est pas grave. ("No problem.") De rien. ("You're welcome.") J'arrive ! ("I'm on my way!") N'est-ce pas ? ("Right?") Oh là là. > Oh dear, oh no. Plus ça change... > The more things change... Sans blague. > seriously, all kidding aside Tout à fait > absolutely, exactly Voilà > there is, that's it Expressions and Usage of 'Enfin' Here are some of the ways enfin is used: Enfin seuls ! > Alone at last! Elle y est enfin arrivée. > She has finally succeeded. Enfin...(interjection) > "well, at least, let's say, all in all, in a word, I mean" Il est intelligent, enfin, malin. > He's smart, or at least shrewd. J'ai perdu mes clés, quelqu'un m'a volé la voiture, j'ai été viré : enfin, pas une bonne journée. > I lost my keys, someone stole my car, I got fired: All in all, not a good day. J'en veux deux, enfin, trois. > I'd like two, I mean three of them Enfin ! Depuis le temps ! > Finally ! About time too ! Un accord a été enfin conclu. > An agreement has at last been reached. Enfin, j'aimerais vous remercier de votre hospitalité. > Well, I would like to thank you for your hospitality. Enfin > in short, in brief, in a word Elle est triste, mais enfin elle s'en remettra. > She's sad, but still / after all, she'll get over it. Oui mais enfin, c'est peut-être vrai. > Yes, after all it might well be true. Elle est jolie, enfin, à mon avis. [valeur restrictive] > She's pretty, (or) at least that's my opinion. Enfin ! C'est la vie ! > Oh well, such is life ! Ce n'est pas la même chose, enfin ! > Oh come on, it's not the same thing at all ! Enfin, reprends-toi ! > Come on, pull yourself together ! Enfin qu'est-ce qu'il y a ? > What on earth is the matter ? C'est son droit, enfin ! > It's his right, after all ! Tu ne peux pas faire ça, enfin ! > You can't do that ! Un meurtrier pourrait facilement maquiller une strangulation par une pendaison post-mortem. > A murder could easily cover up a ligature strangulation with a post-mortem hanging. Je vais me faire coiffer et maquiller. > I'm off to have my hair and makeup done. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Team, ThoughtCo. "How to Use the French Adverb 'Enfin' ('At Last, Finally')." ThoughtCo, Dec. 6, 2021, thoughtco.com/enfin-vocabulary-1371954. Team, ThoughtCo. (2021, December 6). How to Use the French Adverb 'Enfin' ('At Last, Finally'). Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/enfin-vocabulary-1371954 Team, ThoughtCo. "How to Use the French Adverb 'Enfin' ('At Last, Finally')." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/enfin-vocabulary-1371954 (accessed April 20, 2024). copy citation