Getting engaged is a significant milestone in one’s life, and if you’re planning to announce your engagement in French or simply want to know how to say engaged in French for conversational purposes, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to express engagement in French, along with some tips, examples, and a focus on maintaining a warm tone throughout.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Engaged in French
1. Je suis fiancé(e): The most straightforward and common way to say “I am engaged” in French is “Je suis fiancé(e)” where the verb “être” (to be) is used to convey the state of being engaged. The ending of the adjective ‘fiancé(e)’ changes based on the gender of the speaker – ‘fiancé’ for males and ‘fiancée’ for females.
Example: “Je suis fiancé(e) depuis un mois.” (I have been engaged for a month.)
2. Nous sommes fiancés: To express the engagement of a couple in a formal manner, you can say “Nous sommes fiancés” which means “We are engaged.” This phrase uses the plural form of the adjective ‘fiancé(e)’ to match the plural subject ‘nous’ (we).
Example: “Nous sommes fiancés depuis notre voyage en France.” (We have been engaged since our trip to France.)
Informal Ways to Say Engaged in French
1. On est fiancé(s): To convey the concept of engagement in a more informal way, you can use the phrase “On est fiancé(s)” which is equivalent to saying “We’re engaged” in English. The pronoun ‘on’ is a casual way of saying ‘nous’ (we).
Example: “On est fiancé(s) depuis un an maintenant.” (We’ve been engaged for a year now.)
2. Je me suis fiancé(e): Another informal way to express personal engagement is to say “Je me suis fiancé(e)” where the reflexive verb ‘se fiancer’ is used. This phrase is more colloquial and commonly used in casual conversations.
Example: “Je me suis fiancé(e) à mon amour de lycée.” (I got engaged to my high school sweetheart.)
Regional Variations
In French-speaking regions, there might be slight regional variations in terms used to express engagement. However, the standard phrases mentioned above are universally understood. If you’re interacting with French-speaking individuals from specific regions, you may encounter some local variations. Here are a few examples:
- Québec: In Quebec, it is common to say “Je suis promis(e)” or “Nous sommes promis(e)s” to mean “I am engaged” or “We are engaged” respectively.
- Belgium: In Belgium, the phrase “Je suis béguiné(e)” or “Nous sommesbéguiné(e)s” is sometimes used in casual conversations to convey engagement.
Tips for Announcing Your Engagement in French
1. Add a personal touch: When sharing the news of your engagement, consider adding a personal touch to make it more heartfelt and meaningful. Share a little bit about your journey as a couple or why this moment is special to you.
2. Use polite expressions: To maintain a warm and polite tone when sharing your engagement, consider using polite expressions such as “Je suis heureux/heureuse de vous annoncer…” (I am pleased to announce to you…) or “J’ai le plaisir de vous informer que…” (I have the pleasure to inform you that…).
3. Be prepared for congratulations: When announcing your engagement to French-speaking individuals, be prepared for well-wishes and congratulations. The most common response you’ll likely hear is “Félicitations!” (Congratulations!). Respond with a heartfelt “Merci beaucoup!” (Thank you very much!).
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about how to pronounce the French phrases, using an online translation tool or practicing with a native French speaker can help you feel more confident.
Conclusion
Congratulations on finding love and taking the next step in your relationship! In this guide, we provided a comprehensive overview of how to say engaged in French. From formal to informal expressions, as well as regional variations, we covered various ways to convey the excitement of engagement in French. Remember to add a personal touch, use polite expressions, and be prepared for congratulations. Now, go ahead and share your joyous news in French with confidence!
