je suis cool
The English phrase "I am cool" is translated into French as je suis cool.
It relies on an English loanword to convey this specific sense of being 'cool'.
Which one should you use?
If you mean that you are a composed or tranquil person, use je suis calme instead. To express that you are a relaxed person in a more standard way, you should use je suis décontracté. Other informal variations include Je suis trop cool, J'ai la classe. to mean you have style or are classy, and Je suis au top. which means "at the top".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase je suis cool is informal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In France, you may hear the regional variation J'suis trop cool, mec.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use je suis cool if you actually mean that you are feeling calm or tranquil. In those cases, use je suis calme.
Did you know?
- The French word for 'cool' can be intensified with trop, which literally means 'too much' but functions as 'very' in informal speech.
- The verb suis actually comes from the Latin verb sum, but its form was historically shaped by the influence of the past tense fus, which means 'I was'.
- While cool is used in France, a person in Quebec might instead say Je suis relax or use different slang to avoid sounding too American.
Examples in context
- Ne t'inquiète pas, je suis cool.Don't worry, I am cool.
- Je suis cool avec tout le monde.I am cool with everyone.
- Tu vas voir, je suis cool.You will see, I am cool.
Example conversation
Hugo is trying to reassure Manon during a party.
- HugoJe suis cool, promis.I am cool, I promise.
- ManonTu es sûr, Hugo ?Are you sure, Hugo?
- HugoOui, je suis cool et calme.Yes, I am cool and calm.
- ManonD'accord, je te crois.Okay, I believe you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cool, je, suis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
