jadis

in former times, long ago

adverb zhah-DEE Less Common

Usage Note

Jadis is a literary and somewhat archaic adverb used to evoke a distant or romanticised past. It is more poetic than autrefois or anciennement. You will encounter it often in fairy tales and historical narratives; in everyday conversation, autrefois or avant is much more natural.

Examples

"Jadis, ce château abritait des centaines de soldats."

Natural Translation

In former times, this castle housed hundreds of soldiers.

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