“However” does two different jobs in English. It can introduce a contrast, meaning roughly “but” or “nevertheless.” It can also show degree, meaning “no matter how.” French uses separate words for each job, so picking the right one depends on which sense of “however” is meant.

However meaning “nevertheless”

This is the more common use, where “however” links two ideas that sit in contrast to each other. French offers several options, ranging from formal to everyday. In alphabetical order:

• Cependant – “However.” A formal word, common in writing and in careful speech.
• En revanche – “On the other hand” or “however.” Literally, it means “in revenge,” but the figurative meaning is simply a contrast, with no hostility involved.
• Mais – “But.” The simplest and most basic option, used constantly in speech.
• Néanmoins – “Nevertheless.” Formal, and slightly stronger than cependant.
• Par contre – “However” or “on the other hand.” Literally, it means “by against,” which makes no sense in English, so it is always translated figuratively. Very common in everyday speech, though some style guides consider it informal for writing.
• Pourtant – “Yet” or “however.” Suggests genuine surprise at the contrast.
• Quand même – “Even so” or “still.” Informal, and often placed at the end of a sentence.
• Toutefois – “However.” Formal, close in meaning to cependant.
• Tout de même – “All the same.” Informal, similar to quand même.

Examples using each word

• Cependant, il a fini son travail à temps. – “However, he finished his work on time.”
• Elle aime le calme ; en revanche, son mari adore le bruit. – “She likes quiet; however, her husband loves noise.”
• Il pleut, mais nous sortons quand même. – “It is raining, but we are going out anyway.”
• Le plan était bon ; néanmoins, il a échoué. – “The plan was good; nevertheless, it failed.”
• J’aime le café, par contre je n’aime pas le thé. – “I like coffee, however I do not like tea.”
• Il est fatigué, pourtant il continue à travailler. – “He is tired, yet he keeps working.”
• C’est difficile, mais faisable quand même. – “It is difficult, but doable all the same.”
• La réunion a été annulée ; toutefois, le projet continue. – “The meeting was cancelled; however, the project continues.”
• Ce n’est pas urgent, mais fais-le tout de même. – “It is not urgent, but do it anyway.”

A note on register

Mais fits every situation, formal or casual. Cependant, néanmoins and toutefois belong mainly in writing, reports, and careful speech. Par contre, quand même and tout de même are everyday spoken French, heard constantly among friends and family, though par contre is increasingly accepted in writing too. En revanche and pourtant sit somewhere in between, suitable for both speech and writing.

However meaning “no matter how”

The second sense of “however” appears before an adjective or adverb, showing that a certain degree does not change the outcome, as in “however hard I try” or “however you look at it.” French handles this with a different structure, usually built around a special verb form used only in this kind of clause.

• Aussi difficile que ce soit – “However difficult it may be.” Literally, “as difficult as it may be.”
• Quelle que soit la difficulté – “However great the difficulty.” Literally, “whatever the difficulty may be.”
• Quoi qu’il fasse – “Whatever he does” or “however he acts.” Literally, “whatever he may do.”
• Si fatigué qu’il soit – “However tired he is.” Literally, “so tired as he may be.”

Examples in full sentences:

• Aussi difficile que ce soit, je vais essayer. – “However difficult it may be, I am going to try.”
• Quelle que soit la difficulté, elle continue. – “However great the difficulty, she keeps going.”
• Si fatigué qu’il soit, il finit toujours ses devoirs. – “However tired he is, he always finishes his homework.”

Synonyms and related expressions

• En dépit de cela – “Despite that”
• Malgré tout – “Despite everything” or “still”
• Quoi qu’il en soit – “Be that as it may” or “in any case.” Literally, “whatever it may be.”

Summary

• For a contrast, meaning “nevertheless” or “but,” choose from cependant, en revanche, mais, néanmoins, par contre, pourtant, quand même, toutefois or tout de même, depending on the level of formality wanted.
• Mais is the safest all-purpose choice, while cependant, néanmoins and toutefois suit formal writing best.
• Par contre and en revanche both have literal meanings that make no sense in English, so they must be translated figuratively.
• For the sense of “no matter how,” French uses a different structure, typically aussi… que, quelque… que, quel que soit or si… que, rather than a single equivalent word.