French · Greetings & Essentials
"Only" in French: seulement
seulement
Only in French is often seulement: je veux seulement un café. Ne… que also means only: je n'ai que cinq euros. Seulement sits near what you restrict.
Ordering food
Je prends seulement une entrée.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce seulement
Say it
suhl-MAHN
/sœl.mɑ̃/
Seulement: suhl-MAHN with nasal an. Soft eu like in peu.
"Only" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| seulement | only Default adverb. | Default adverb. |
| je veux seulement… | I only want… Limits a request. | Limits a request. |
| ne… que | only Alternative structure. | Alternative structure. |
| pas seulement | not only Contrast. | Contrast. |
How to use seulement in real life
- 1Ordering food
Je prends seulement une entrée.
I'll only have a starter.
Seulement before the item.
- 2Time limit
On a seulement dix minutes.
We only have ten minutes.
Seulement + time.
- 3Clarifying
Ce n'est pas seulement toi ; on est en retard tous.
It's not only you — we're all late.
Pas seulement.
Mistakes English speakers make with seulement
Incorrect: Je seulement veux ça.
Correct: Je veux seulement ça.
Put seulement after the verb or before the limited noun phrase.
Incorrect: Only un ticket.
Correct: Seulement un ticket. / Un seul ticket.
Use seulement or seul.
Good to know
Ne… que is very French and common in speech with dropping of ne: j'ai que cinq euros. Seulement is clearer for learners and polite requests.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
At the bakery counter
ChatPal
Tu prends la tarte entière ?
Are you taking the whole tart?
You
Non, seulement deux parts.
No, only two slices.
ChatPal
OK. Moi, je prends seulement un croissant.
OK. I'll only take a croissant.
You
Parfait, on partage après.
Perfect, we'll share after.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Only" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Only" in French
How do you say only in French?
Seulement, or ne… que.
Where does seulement go?
Usually after the verb or before the limited item.
Seulement or seul?
Seulement is an adverb; seul is an adjective (alone / only one).
How do you pronounce seulement?
suhl-MAHN.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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