évidement

Évidement is a French adverb that translates to "obviously," "evidently," or "of course" in English. It is used to indicate that something is clear, plain, or self-evident. The word derives from the verb "évider," meaning to hollow out or to clear out, suggesting that something is so clear that any doubt or obscurity has been removed.

This adverb is commonly employed in everyday conversation and writing to express a sense of certainty or to preface a statement that the speaker believes is easily understood or expected. For example, one might say, "Il pleut, donc évidement, nous allons rester à l'intérieur," meaning "It's raining, so obviously, we will stay inside." The usage of évidement implies that the subsequent statement is a logical and unavoidable conclusion.

While a direct translation often suffices, the nuance of évidement can sometimes be conveyed by other English phrases depending on the context, such as "naturally," "clearly," or "it goes without saying." It carries a slight emphasis on the inherent obviousness of the situation or fact being presented. Its frequency in spoken and written French makes it a fundamental part of the language for expressing readily apparent truths.