How Do You Spell MAINTENANT?

Pronunciation: [mˈe͡ɪntənənt] (IPA)

Maintenant is a French word that means "now" or "at this moment." The word is pronounced [mɛ̃.tə.nɑ̃] in IPA phonetic transcription. It is spelled with the letters "m," "a," "i," "n," "t," "e," "n," and "t." The circumflex accent on the letter "a" indicates that it is pronounced like the nasalized vowel sound in the word "ban," and the silent final "t" is typical of many French words. The spelling of maintenant may be challenging for non-native speakers, but with practice, it can be easily learned.

MAINTENANT Meaning and Definition

1. Maintenant is a French adverb that translates to "now" in English. It is used to indicate the present moment or a current state of affairs. It serves to express the idea of time and is often employed to convey immediacy.

   In terms of temporal aspects, maintenant denotes the immediate period following the present. It signifies the exact time at which an action, event, or situation is happening or being referred to. Its usage helps establish a connection between the speaker and the ongoing circumstances, establishing the time frame and context for a conversation.

   Additionally, maintenant can also emphasize the urgent or immediate nature of a request, indicating a need or desire for something to be done without delay. It can be employed to underscore the sense of timeliness or to convey a sense of urgency for action.

   While maintenant primarily functions as an adverb of time, it can also be utilized to indicate a contrast or change in circumstances. Used in this manner, maintenant serves to communicate a shift in perspective, situation, or viewpoint.

   Overall, maintenant encapsulates the concept of "now" in a multidimensional sense, encompassing temporal specificity, a sense of urgency, and a catalyst for change or contrast. Its versatility allows it to convey various nuances depending on the context in which it is used.

Etymology of MAINTENANT

The word maintenant is derived from the Old French word maintenant, which means at this moment or right now. It is a combination of the word main, meaning hand, and tenant, which comes from the verb tenir, meaning to hold. The phrase maintenant literally translates to holding by the hand, suggesting the concept of at this very moment.