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Quand même: saying “anyway” and “thanks anyway” in French

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Use quand même when you go ahead despite a difficulty, thank someone after unsuccessful help or react with surprise. Four exchanges and a short quiz.

In short

Quand même often means “anyway” or “all the same”: Je suis fatiguée, mais je viens quand même. Put it inside or at the end of the statement. In merci quand même, it means “thanks anyway”; a standalone Quand même ! can express surprise or protest.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

A tired woman continues working at a simple desk in a French apartment, a friend nearby.
She continues quand même despite her tiredness. Illustration: Atelier
1

Keep your plan despite a difficulty

Your friend points out a reason to stop. You say that you will continue.

Your friendTu as déjà beaucoup travaillé. Tu veux arrêter ?You’ve already done a lot of work. Do you want to stop?
YouJe suis fatiguée, mais je termine quand même.I’m tired, but I’m finishing anyway.The speaker is a woman, so fatiguée takes -e.
Your friendTu peux continuer demain.You can carry on tomorrow.
YouJe préfère quand même finir ce soir.I’d still rather finish this evening.
2

Thank someone whose help did not solve it

The search was unsuccessful, but you appreciate the effort.

Your friendJ’ai cherché, mais je n’ai pas trouvé la réponse.I looked, but I didn’t find the answer.
YouCe n’est pas grave. Merci quand même !It’s all right. Thanks anyway!
Your friendJe vais demander à Léa.I’ll ask Léa.
YouMerci, c’est gentil.Thanks, that’s kind.
3

Recognise some progress

There is still work left, but something has been achieved.

Your friendOn n’a pas encore terminé.We haven’t finished yet.
YouOn a quand même bien avancé.We’ve still made good progress.
Your friendOui, il reste seulement la conclusion.Yes, only the conclusion is left.
4

React to an excessive delay

A standalone Quand même ! can sound reproachful here. Say the whole exchange to hear what you are reacting to.

Your friendIl a répondu après trois mois.He replied after three months.
YouTrois mois ? Quand même !Three months? Really!
Your friendOui, c’était vraiment long.Yes, it was a really long time.
Three reliable positions
PositionFrench
After the verbElle continue quand même son travail.
At the endElle continue son travail quand même.
In a compound tenseElle a quand même terminé.

For the “anyway” meaning, attach the phrase to the action that continues. Quand même adds the idea that a difficulty has been overcome or set aside. Quand pars-tu ? asks “When are you leaving?”; Tu pars quand même says “You’re leaving anyway”. Keep the accent on même and write quand with -d.

Question 1No account needed
Your friend tried but could not help. Thank them anyway.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Merci quand même !. Merci quand même acknowledges the effort even though the help did not solve the problem.

Question 2No account needed
Choose a natural compound-tense placement.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Elle a quand même terminé.. Put the phrase between auxiliary and participle: a quand même terminé.

Question 3No account needed
What does this sentence tell you?Nous partons quand même.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

The group is leaving despite a difficulty.. Here quand même means “anyway”; it does not ask when the departure will happen.

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