j'ai peur
In French, "I am afraid" is expressed as j'ai peur.
The phrase is used to express that someone feels fear or is scared. The infinitive form of this expression is avoir peur, which means "to be afraid" or "to fear".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase j'ai peur literally translates to "I have fear".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, the expression J'ai les chocottes can be used to express fear.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say you are afraid of something, you must use the preposition de (or d' before a vowel) after peur, resulting in the structure j'ai peur de.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying je suis peur. This is a common mistake for English speakers who try to translate "I am" literally. In French, fear is something you "have" (using the verb avoir) rather than something you "are" (using the verb être).
Did you know?
- If you say je suis peur to a French person, you are not saying you are afraid, but rather that you are the physical embodiment of fear itself.
- In French, one can say avoir la peur au ventre, which literally means 'to have fear in the belly' to describe a deep, visceral dread.
- The Latin ancestor of peur is also the root of the English word 'pavor', a rare term for intense terror used in medical or poetic contexts.
Examples in context
- J'ai peur des ours.I am afraid of bears.This sentence is useful for practicing how to express being afraid of certain animals using j'ai peur.Tatoeba #1082987 by gillux, translation #257026 by CK
- J'ai peur de mourir.I am afraid of dying.This sentence is useful for expressing the fear of a specific action using j'ai peur.Tatoeba #335203 by TRANG, translation #246329 by CK
- J'ai peur d'y aller.I am afraid to go.This sentence is useful for expressing the fear of an action using j'ai peur.Tatoeba #1314117 by sacredceltic, translation #257416 by CK
- J'ai la trouille, ce film est vraiment effrayant!I am terrified, this movie is really scary!
- J'ai les chocottes, je déteste les araignées!I'm scared, I hate spiders!
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are standing in front of a dark basement door.
- HugoJe n'aime pas cet endroit, j'ai peur.I don't like this place, I am afraid.
- ChloéNe t'inquiète pas, Hugo, je suis là.Don't worry, Hugo, I am here.
- HugoMais j'ai peur du noir !But I am afraid of the dark!
- ChloéPrends ma main et viens avec moi.Take my hand and come with me.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries j'ai, peur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
