What does cependant mean in french?

"Cependant" in French means however or nevertheless. It is a conjunction that introduces a contrast or an exception to a previous statement.

Here are some examples:

* Il fait froid, cependant le soleil brille. (It's cold, however the sun is shining.)

* J'aime le chocolat, cependant je n'en mange pas souvent. (I love chocolate, nevertheless I don't eat it often.)

* La voiture est chère, cependant elle est très fiable. (The car is expensive, however it is very reliable.)

"Cependant" is often used to show that something is true despite another fact. It adds a nuance to the sentence and expresses a certain level of surprise or unexpectedness.