What does maïs in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word maïs in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use maïs in French.

The word maïs in French means corn, corn, sweetcorn, that's all well and good but ..., that's all very well but ..., but, but, now, so, but, why, what on earth?, what the hell?, but, nothing, May, oh, but ..., corn starch, cornsilk, not as brave as you like to make out, ear of corn, cornflour, cornflour, no buts, no buts about it, unbelievable but true, it's easy to criticize, Speech is silver, silence is golden, the branch bends but does not break, slowly but surely, who knows what tomorrow may bring?, Ooh, I'm shaking in my boots!, Ooh, I'm scared!, sweetcorn, corn on the cob, then what?, Oh, come on!, come to think of it, No!, Of course not!, Not at all!, Of course! You bet!, yes, of course, but it was a wasted effort, but, yet, though, What's being done about it?, Where are the police when you need them?, Are you ever going to shut up?!, Look here!, Are you out of your mind?, Well really!, Oh no!, Seriously?! Really?!, Really!, I'm not kidding!, not only ... but also, Not only ... also, let's get to the point, cornflakes, corn borer, European corn borer, sweetcorn salad, cornmeal, that is all very well, but, Anything but that!. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word maïs

corn

nom masculin (graminée d'Amérique) (plant)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il existe plusieurs variétés de maïs.

corn, sweetcorn

nom masculin (grains de la plante) (grain)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Avec le maïs, les Mexicains fabriquent les tortillas. Même si j'adore ça, je n'ai pas mis de maïs dans mon chili con carne parce que mon mari n'aime pas ça.

that's all well and good but ..., that's all very well but ...

(familier (certes, néanmoins)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

but

conjonction (indique une opposition)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")
Je suis peut-être vieux, mais je peux toujours faire du vélo. Ce n'est pas de l'espagnol mais de l'italien.
I may be old, but I can still ride a bike. That's not Spanish, but Italian.

but

conjonction (indique une objection)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")
Mais tu m'avais dit que tu m'achèterais une glace !
But you told me you would buy me an ice cream!

now, so

conjonction (sert de transition)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")
Mais, j'y pense, comment va votre mère ?
So, come to think of it, how's your mother?

but

conjonction (indique le renforcement d'une réponse) (with of course)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
- Tu viendras ? - Mais bien sûr.
"Will you come?" "But of course."

why

conjonction (indique l'insistance)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")
- Puis-je reprendre du gâteau ? - Mais je vous en prie !
"May I have some more cake?" "Absolutely - please do!"

what on earth?, what the hell?

conjonction (indique l'impatience,...) (irritation, surprise)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Mais où s'est-il encore caché, ce garnement ? Coucou, le chien ! Mais il mord ! Mais retenez-le ! Mais t'étais-où ?
Where the hell were you?

but

nom masculin (objection)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il n'y a pas de mais ; tu viens avec moi chez Tata Huguette ! Avec des si et des mais on ne fait pas grand-chose.
There is no 'but'; you're coming with me to Auntie Hugette's house! Ifs and buts aren't going to get us very far.

nothing

adverbe (littéraire (rien) (with positive construction)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")
C'est comme cela, je n'y peux mais !
It is what it is; I can't do anything!

May

nom masculin (5e mois de l'année)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
En mai, je pars en vacances en Espagne.
I'm going to Spain in May for vacation.

oh, but ...

(c'est à dire que...)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Ah mais... je croyais que vous étiez d'accord...

corn starch

nom masculin (farine de maïs)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

cornsilk

nom féminin (touffe de poils du maïs)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

not as brave as you like to make out

locution adjectivale (ironique (trop prudent, trop timoré)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

ear of corn

nom masculin (fruit comestible du maïs)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Hélène a besoin d'épis de maïs pour sa recette.

cornflour

nom féminin (type de farine) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

cornflour

nom féminin (maïzena) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

no buts, no buts about it

interjection (aucune objection n'est permise)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Va ranger ta chambre ! Et il n'y a pas de mais qui tienne !

unbelievable but true

locution adjectivale (à peine croyable)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

it's easy to criticize

(il est facile de critiquer)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Arrêt de critiquer, qu'aurais-tu fais ? La critique est facile mais l'art est difficile !

Speech is silver, silence is golden

(mieux vaut se taire que de parler) (proverb)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

the branch bends but does not break

(lâcher du lest n'est pas capituler)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

slowly but surely

adverbe (progressivement)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Son travail avance peu à peu, inévitablement et, lentement mais sûrement, son travail est impeccable.

who knows what tomorrow may bring?

(chaque jour est différent)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Ooh, I'm shaking in my boots!, Ooh, I'm scared!

(familier, figuré (C'est vraiment méchant !) (informal, ironic)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
En entendant le jeune garçon lui répondre méchamment, Vincent regarda ses amis et s'exclama : « Mais c'est que ça mordrait ! »

sweetcorn

nom masculin (variété de maïs) (maize)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le maïs doux est utilisé comme légume, sur les pizzas ou en salade.

corn on the cob

nom masculin (maïs sur son support)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

then what?

adverbe (et quoi d'autre ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Tu étais dans la rue, tu as vu la voiture, le voleur, mais encore ? Très bien, Louis XIV était un roi français, mais encore ?

Oh, come on!

interjection (expression de protestation) (disbelief, protest)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

come to think of it

locution conjonction (au fait je crois ...)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Cet été, nous descendons dans le Sud. Mais j'y pense, vous êtes en vacances aussi. Nous pourrions partir ensemble !

No!, Of course not!, Not at all!

interjection (pas du tout !)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Ta voiture est encore en panne ? Mais non !

Of course! You bet!

interjection (Bien sûr !)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

yes, of course

locution adverbiale (certainement)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Tu restes dîner avec nous ? Mais oui, bien sûr.

but it was a wasted effort

locution adverbiale (mais malheureusement)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il avait tout préparé mais peine perdue, elle n'est pas venue.

but, yet, though

locution adverbiale (mais cependant)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")
Nous allons faire des travaux dans la maison, c'est coûteux mais pourtant utile.
We're going to do some work to the house; it's expensive but useful.

What's being done about it?

(Que font les autorités ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il y a toujours la queue aux urgences ! Mais que fait la police ?

Where are the police when you need them?

(familier, humoristique (C'est inadmissible !) (ironic)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il y a encore un gamin qui m'a tiré la langue ce matin ! Mais que fait la police ?

Are you ever going to shut up?!

(emphase pour « Tais-toi ! ») (colloquial)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Look here!

interjection (renforce une affirmation)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Alors, c'est qui le chef ? Non mais ! Non mais ça va pas bien ?!

Are you out of your mind?

(familier (Il y a vraiment un problème.)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Qu'est-ce que c'est que cette histoire ? Non, mais ça va pas ou quoi ?

Well really!

interjection (contestation)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Non mais des fois ! Tu ne me prendrais pas pour un imbécile ?

Oh no!

interjection (exprime l'agacement)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Non mais, oh, tu vas arrêter de me parler comme ça !

Seriously?! Really?!

interjection (sérieusement)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Non, mais sans rire, tu as vraiment perdu ton travail ?

Really!

interjection (exprime l'irritation, l'agacement)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Mais elle se prend pour qui, celle-là ? Je l'ai remise à sa place vite fait ! Non mais sans blague !

I'm not kidding!

interjection (ça suffit, à la fin)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Je vais bien finir par me faire obéir, non mais tout de même !
I will be obeyed in the end; I'm not kidding!

not only ... but also

locution conjonction (déjà ... mais en outre)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")
Non seulement il n'aide pas son frère mais en plus il ne fait rien à l'école !

Not only ... also

locution conjonction (déjà ... mais en outre)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Non seulement il est lent mais il est aussi idiot.
He is not only slow, but stupid with it.

let's get to the point

(soyons concis)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Bon, parlons peu, mais parlons bien. Combien me coûterait ce projet alors ?

cornflakes

nom féminin pluriel (flocons de maïs)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")

corn borer, European corn borer

nom féminin (papillon nuisible au maïs) (moth)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

sweetcorn salad

nom féminin (salade à base de maïs) (food)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

cornmeal

nom féminin (semoule à base de maïs)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

that is all very well, but

(certes)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Tout ça, c'est bien joli mais il faut travailler maintenant.

Anything but that!

interjection (Surtout pas ça !)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

Let's learn French

So now that you know more about the meaning of maïs in French, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in French.

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