Encore vs Toujours

Although both encore and toujours can be translated as “still”, they have different nuances and uses. Getting them right will make your French sound natural and precise.
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1. Encore – Still / Again / Yet

Encore is often used to show that something continues longer than expected, or to indicate repetition. It’s commonly translated as “still” when the activity might have been expected to end.

Examples:

Il travaille encore à 22h.
He’s still working at 10 p.m. (implying it’s later than expected)
Tu es encore fatigué?
You’re still tired? (surprised that it continues)

Je voudrais encore un café.
I’d like another coffee. (repetition)

Remember:

Encore can also mean “again” when paired with verbs:
- Il chante encore cette chanson.
- He’s singing this song again.

2. Toujours – Always / Still

Toujours is used in two main ways:

Habitual actions – “Always”
- Je prends toujours le métro pour aller au travail.
- I always take the subway to work.
- Elle est toujours gentille avec ses collègues.
- She is always kind to her coworkers.
Continued states – “Still”
- Il est toujours malade.
- He is still sick.
- La boutique est toujours ouverte.
- The shop is still open.

Remember:

When toujours is used to mean “still,” it often has a neutral sense. It doesn’t carry the same surprise or implied “longer than expected” nuance as encore.
Toujours can also emphasize consistency or permanence:
- Ils sont toujours ensemble.
- They are always together.

3. Quick way to remember

Encore – “still / again / yet” – implies continuation beyond expectation or repetition.
Toujours – “always / still” – emphasizes habit, permanence, or neutral continuation.

Rule of thumb: If there’s an element of surprise or unexpected continuation, use encore. If you’re talking about habit or neutral ongoing state, use toujours.

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