What is the difference between jusqu’ici and jusque-là?

Jusqu’ici often means so far from the present point of view. Jusque-là often means until then in a past story.

Is jusqu’à présent formal?

Jusqu’à présent is often more formal than jusqu’à maintenant. It is common in written, professional, or careful speech.

Can jusqu’à maintenant and jusqu’à présent mean the same thing?

Yes. They can often both translate as so far, until now, or up to now. The difference is usually register and point of view, not a strict grammatical rule.

Do we use passé composé or imparfait with so far in French?

For a result up to now, French often uses the passé composé: Jusqu’ici, tout s’est bien passé. For a background situation before a change in a past story, French often uses the imparfait: Jusque-là, tout allait bien.

What does à présent mean?

À présent means now or from now on. It often marks a new situation after a change.

How to Say “So Far” in French: Jusqu’ici, Jusque-là, Jusqu’à Présent, Jusqu’à Maintenant

French grammar explained

How to Say “So Far” in French Jusqu’ici, jusque-là, jusqu’à présent, jusqu’à maintenant

Q: How do you say so far in French?

You can say jusqu’ici, jusqu’à présent, or jusqu’à maintenant. In a past story, jusque-là often means until then.

If you are learning French, “so far” can be confusing because French has several natural translations: jusqu’ici, jusque-là, jusqu’à présent, and jusqu’à maintenant.

Quick answer

To say so far in French, you can often use jusqu’ici, jusqu’à présent, or jusqu’à maintenant. In a past story, jusque-là often means “until then”.

The difference is not always strict. The most important question is the point of view: are you speaking from the present moment, or are you telling a past story?

The four main ways to say “so far” in French

These expressions are close, and in many sentences, more than one option is possible. Still, each one has a natural tendency.

Jusqu’ici

Very useful and neutral. It often means “so far” from the present point of view.

Jusqu’à maintenant

Common and direct. It points clearly to the exact moment of speaking.

Jusqu’à présent

More formal. It often sounds like a review of the situation so far.

Jusque-là

Often means “until then” in a past story, before a change happens.

“Jusqu’ici”: the most useful neutral option

Jusqu’ici is one of the safest and most useful ways to say “so far” in French. It often refers to the situation from the past up to the present moment.

Jusqu’ici, tout va bien.

So far, everything is fine.

This is a natural, neutral sentence. The speaker evaluates the situation up to now.

Jusqu’ici, nous avons bien progressé.

So far, we have made good progress.

The passé composé gives a result up to the present moment.

“Jusqu’à maintenant”: up to this exact moment

Jusqu’à maintenant is common in everyday French. It often insists on the present moment: up to now, until this exact moment.

Je n’ai pas eu le temps de manger jusqu’à maintenant.

I haven’t had time to eat until now.

The focus is the present moment: now, the situation may finally change.

Jusqu’à maintenant, je n’ai eu aucun problème.

Up to now, I haven’t had any problems.

This is natural in conversation when you talk about your experience up to now.

“Jusqu’à présent”: a more formal review

Jusqu’à présent also means “so far”, “until now”, or “up to now”. It is often a little more formal than jusqu’à maintenant.

It can sound like a careful review of the situation so far, especially in professional, written, or formal contexts.

Jusqu’à présent, nous n’avons reçu aucune plainte.

So far, we have not received any complaints.

This sounds like a formal review of the situation.

Jusqu’à présent, tout s’est bien passé.

So far, everything has gone well.

This is also possible with the passé composé when the point of view is the present.

“Jusque-là”: until then in a past story

Jusque-là is very useful when you tell a story. It often means “until then” or “up to that point”.

Unlike jusqu’ici, which often points to the present, jusque-là often points to a moment inside a past story.

Jusque-là, tout allait bien. Puis, un problème est apparu.

Until then, everything was going well. Then, a problem appeared.

This is a classic past-story structure: background situation, then change.

Jusque-là, elle travaillait seule. Puis, une collègue est arrivée.

Until then, she was working alone. Then, a colleague arrived.

Use jusque-là to refer to the situation before a change in the story.

Passé composé or imperfect after “so far” in French?

This is often the real difficulty for English speakers. The expression itself is not enough. You also need to understand the time perspective.

Present result: passé composé

When you make a result or bilan up to now, French often uses the passé composé.

Jusqu’ici, tout s’est bien passé.

Past background: imparfait

When you describe the situation before a change in a story, French often uses the imparfait.

Jusque-là, tout allait bien. Mais on a eu un problème de dernière minute.

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