autrefois

in the past, formerly

adverb oh-truh-FWAH Less Common

Origin: autre + fois (other + times)

Usage Note

Autrefois situates actions in a distant or general past — more literary than avant (before) and less specific than jadis. It is common in storytelling and historical writing. Contrast jadis (archaic/literary) and naguère (not long ago).

Examples

"Autrefois, ce village était très animé."

Natural Translation

In the past, this village was very lively.

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