Speaking
Once More, with Feeling: Using Emotional Expressions
Since we just learned our French emotions, now we will learn how to use them in a sentence. Discussing emotions in French is incredibly satisfying. French is a language of love, after all, so you know it has emotional expressions in abundance.
It is worth noting that there are quite a few different ways to say “I feel…” in French. Some emotions carry exceptional forms, so keep an eye out for those and memorize them.
Whether you are flirting along the Seine or channeling your inner beatnik at a Parisian café (or, you know, just normally expressing yourself), these emotional expressions are the golden ticket to eloquence.
Ways to Express Emotion:
1. Se sentir, the “to feel” verb
2. a/ Sentir: to feel
Listen to Track 54
Je me sens | Nous nous sentons |
Tu te sens | Vous vous sentez |
Il/elle se sent | Ils/elles se sentent |
Listen to Track 55
Examples:
Je me sens heureux/heureuse. – I feel happy.
Je me sens joyeux/joyeuse. – I feel content.
Je me sens timide. – I feel shy.
Je me sens vivant(e). – I feel alive.
b/ Je suis… – I am
Listen to Track 56
Je me sens heureux/heureuse. – I feel happy.
Je me sens joyeux/joyeuse. – I feel content.
Je me sens timide. – I feel shy.
Je me sens vivant(e). – I feel alive.
Specific Exceptions for Expressions:
Listen to Track 57
Je t’aime. – I love you.
Je m’ennuie. – I’m bored.
J’ai peur. – I’m scared.
J’ai soif. – I’m thirsty.
J’ai faim. – I’m hungry.
French Colloquial Phrases:
Listen to Track 58
Je suis en pleine forme. – I’m in good shape.
Je suis de tout cœur avec toi. – I feel deeply for you.
Je suis sur un petit nuage! – I’m on cloud nine!
Je suis de bonne humeur. – I’m in a good mood.
Je m’en fiche. – I could care less.
Occupe-toi de tes oignons! – Mind your own business!
Je meurs d’ennui. – I’m dying of boredom.
C’est ma bête noire. – It’s my pet peeve.
J’en ai jusque-là. – I’ve had it up to here.
Oh là là! – Oh my!
Ah bon? – Oh really?
C’est n’est pas ma tasse de thé. – It’s not my cup of tea.
Bien fait pour toi! – Serves you right!
La vache! – Holy cow!
Après nous, le déluge. – I don’t care.
Quel dommage! – What a shame!
C’est penible! – What a pain!