Usage note : as

When as is used as a preposition or a conjunction to mean like it is translated

by comme :

dressed as a sailor

= habillé comme un marin

as usual

= comme d’habitude

as often happens

= comme c’est souvent le cas

As a conjunction in time expressions, meaning when or while, as is translated by comme :

as she was coming down the stairs

= comme elle descendait l’escalier

However, where a gradual process is involved, as is translated by au fur et à mesure que :

as the day went on, he became more anxious

= au fur et à mesure que la journée avançait il devenait plus inquiet

As a conjunction meaning because, as is translated by comme or puisque :

as he is ill, he can’t go out

= comme il est malade or puisqu’il est malade, il ne peut pas sortir

When used as an adverb in comparisons, as…as is translated by aussi…que :

he is as intelligent as his brother

= il est aussi intelligent que son frère

But see category J in the entry as for as much

as and as many as.

Note also the standard translation used for fixed similes :

as strong as an ox

= fort comme un bœuf

as rich as Croesus

= riche comme Crésus

Such similes often have a cultural equivalent rather than a direct translation. To find translations for English similes, consult the entry for the second element.

When as is used as a preposition to indicate a person’s profession or position, it is translated by comme :

he works as an engineer

= il travaille comme ingénieur

Note that the article a/an is not translated.

When as is used with a preposition to mean in my/his capacity as, it is translated by en tant que :

as a teacher I believe that…

= en tant qu’enseignant je crois que…

For more examples, particular usages and phrases like as for, as from, as to etc. see the entry as.

Big English-French dictionary. 2003.