jamais

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/ʒa.mɛ/

adverb

never; not ever; at no time

Je n'ai jamais vu ça.

I have never seen that.

Synonyms:à aucun moment, en aucune circonstance, pas une seule fois

adverb

ever (used in conditional or hypothetical clauses; 'if ever')

Si jamais tu changes d'avis, appelle-moi.

If you ever change your mind, call me.

Synonyms:au cas où, si par hasard

Notes

GENERAL INFO

Jamais means "never." It is an adverb, primarily used for negation.

USAGE

It typically forms a negative phrase with *ne*: "Je ne mange jamais ça" (I never eat that). In questions or after "si" (if), it can mean "ever": "Si tu as jamais le temps..." (If you ever have time...).

TRAPS

Do not confuse jamais with "toujours" (always). "Je n'ai jamais vu" means "I have never seen," not "I have always seen." It can also stand alone as a strong "Never!" (e.g., "Jamais!").