Topic: Expressions

Je voudrais is one of the most polite and useful expressions in French. It’s the conditional form of vouloir (to want). Using je voudrais instead of je veux (I want) makes you sound much more courteous. French IPA English Politeness Je veux [ʒə vø] I want Direct (can be rude) Je voudrais [ʒə vu.dʁɛ] I … Read more

Il faut is one of the most common impersonal expressions in French. It expresses necessity or obligation. Unlike English, il faut is general — the context tells you who is concerned. French IPA English Il faut [il fo] One must / You need to Il ne faut pas [il nə fo pa] One must not … Read more

In French, physical sensations are expressed with avoir (to have), not être (to be). You literally say “I have hunger” (j’ai faim), not “I am hungry.” French IPA English avoir faim [a.vwaʁ fɛ̃] to be hungry avoir soif [a.vwaʁ swaf] to be thirsty avoir chaud [a.vwaʁ ʃo] to be hot (feeling) avoir froid [a.vwaʁ fʁwa] … Read more

In French, you don’t “be” a certain age — you “have” years. The expression avoir … ans is essential for introductions and everyday conversations. French IPA English J’ai vingt ans. [ʒe vɛ̃.tɑ̃] I am twenty years old. Elle a trente ans. [ɛl a tʁɑ̃.tɑ̃] She is thirty years old. Nous avons quarante ans. [nu.za.vɔ̃ ka.ʁɑ̃.tɑ̃] … Read more

Avoir besoin de means “to need.” Like many expressions with avoir, it literally translates to “to have need of.” Structure Example IPA English avoir besoin de + noun J’ai besoin d’aide. [ʒe bə.zwɛ̃ dɛd] I need help. avoir besoin de + infinitive J’ai besoin de dormir. [ʒe bə.zwɛ̃ də dɔʁ.miʁ] I need to sleep. Avoir … Read more