Today we’ll look at the French conjunction quoique, which translates to even though, although, even if and though. Quoique requires the subjunctive.
quoique
even though, although
Quoique
Word origin
Quoique is composed of quoi (what) and que (that). According to Wiktionary, quoique replaced que que in Old French.
Quoi que meaning
Note that the two seperate words quoi que form another conjunction meaning “whatever” and “no matter what”. For example, “Quoi que tu dises, je m’en fiche” (Whatever you say, I don’t care).
Example sentences
For these first to example sentences, quoique is followed by the subjunctive mood. For this first example, frais can translate to the adjective “cool” in the context of weather.
Quoique nous soyons au mois de juin, il fait un peu frais.
It’s a bit cool out although it’s June.
For this second sentence, il soit is the third-person singular form of être (to be) in the subjunctive.
Nous devons inviter Martin à la fête quoiqu’il soit odieux.
We have to invite Martin to the party although he’s obnoxious.
This final example sentence uses the grammatical structure quoique + adjective. The expression gagner sa vie (literally wins his life) means “to make a living”. Bosseur (hardworking) is an adjective related to the verb bosser (to work hard).
Quoique bosseur, il ne gagne pas bien sa vie.
Although hardworking, he doesn’t make a good living.
Word of the Day Lessons | Lessons by David Issokson
Related lessons
- Bien que – Even though, although
- Pourtant – Yet, However
- Afin – So that, In order to
- Cependant – However, yet, nevertheless
- Pour que – so that, in order that
- Toutefois – However
- Lors de – At the time of, during
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