plutôt

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/ply.to/

adverb

rather / instead (indicating a preference or choice)

On va plutôt au ciné ce soir ?

Shall we go to the cinema instead tonight?

Synonyms:de préférence, au lieu de

adverb

rather / quite / fairly (indicating degree or extent)

Le nouveau resto est plutôt cool.

The new restaurant is pretty cool.

Synonyms:assez, relativement, pas mal

adverb

rather / more precisely (used to correct or qualify a previous statement)

Ce n'est pas rouge, plutôt bordeaux.

It's not red, rather burgundy.

Synonyms:plus exactement, en fait

interjection

You bet! / Absolutely! (colloquial emphatic assent)

— Tu viens ce soir ? — Plutôt !

— Are you coming tonight? — You bet!

Synonyms:bien sûr, mais oui

Notes

GENERAL INFO

plutôt is an adverb meaning "rather," "instead," or "quite." It expresses preference, intensity, or a mild correction.

USAGE

It often precedes an adjective or another adverb ("Il est plutôt grand"). It can also connect alternatives ("Je préfère rester chez moi plutôt que sortir"). Or stand alone as "instead" ("Fais cela plutôt.").

TRAPS

Do not confuse plutôt (rather/instead) with "plus tôt" (earlier/sooner).

* "Je suis rentré plutôt fatigué." (I came home rather tired.)

* "Je suis rentré plus tôt que prévu." (I came home earlier than expected.)