je sais déjà
The English phrase "I already know" is translated into French as je sais déjà.
This phrase is used to inform someone that you have already received or possess the information they are currently providing. Adding déjà before a verb or phrase can help emphasize that the knowledge was acquired beforehand. In natural spoken French, it is very common to add a pronoun such as le or ça to je sais déjà to make the sentence feel complete.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of je (I), sais (know) and déjà (already).
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between using je sais déjà and je connais déjà. Use je sais déjà when you are referring to specific facts or pieces of information. In contrast, use je connais déjà when you are expressing familiarity with a person, a place or a complex concept.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are referring to a specific fact or a particular piece of information, French speakers often insert the object pronoun le between the subject je and the verb sais, resulting in je le sais déjà (I already know it).
Did you know?
- In casual spoken French, the subject je is often shortened to a sound like 'sh' when followed by sais, making the phrase sound like shé déjà.
- The word déjà actually contains a hidden history of two words, the preposition dès meaning 'since' and the adverb jà meaning 'already'.
- Responding with only the words je sais in a sharp tone can be perceived as incredibly dismissive or even arrogant in a French social context.
Examples in context
- Je sais déjà ça.I already know that.Tatoeba #8382581 by Aiji, translation #2291629 by CK
- Je sais déjà tout.I already know everything.Tatoeba #9206610 by Julien_PDC, translation #9203181 by CK
- Je sais déjà danser.I already know how to dance.Tatoeba #5798073 by Toynop, translation #5797468 by CK
- Je sais déjà que tu vas partir en vacances.I already know you're going on vacation.
- Je connais déjà cette histoire, tu peux passer à la suite.I already know this story, you can move on.
- Je suis déjà au courant des changements dans l'organisation.I am already aware of the changes in the organization.
- Je connais déjà cette information, mais pouvez-vous m'en dire plus?I already know this information, but can you tell me more?
- J'ai déjà connaissance du rapport que vous mentionnez.I already have knowledge of the report you mentioned.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are discussing their plans for the weekend.
- GabrielLe musée est fermé le lundi.The museum is closed on Mondays.
- ChloéMerci, je sais déjà.Thanks, I already know.
- GabrielAlors, on change notre programme ?So, shall we change our plan?
- ChloéOui, on peut y aller mardi.Yes, we can go on Tuesday.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries déjà, je, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
