je fais
je fais is the French way to say "I am doing".
je fais is used to describe an action that is currently in progress. Depending on the context, it can express both the present continuous ("I am doing") and the simple present ("I do"). Note that if you want to specifically emphasize that you are in the middle of an action and that it is currently in progress and uninterrupted, you would use je suis en train de faire instead.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase uses the irregular verb faire, which is used here in its first-person singular present indicative form.
How does it change in a sentence?
Consequently, je fais covers both "I do" and "I am doing".
Did you know?
- While faire means 'to do', it is used in French to describe the weather, such as il fait chaud for 'it is hot'. This implies that the weather is actively 'doing' or producing a specific state.
- The word 'je' shares a common ancestor with the Latin 'ego', which is the root of the English word 'egotistical'.
- In many French dialects, particularly in informal spoken contexts, the 'e' in 'je' is often dropped, making the phrase sound more like 'j'fais'.
Examples in context
- Je fais mes devoirs.I am doing my homework.This sentence shows how to use je fais with homework.Tatoeba #1718796 by sacredceltic, translation #845543 by Disconnect
- Je fais de mon mieux.I am doing my best.This sentence demonstrates using je fais to say you are doing your best.Tatoeba #1858250 by sacredceltic, translation #2120038 by nabeel_tahir
- Je fanfaronne comme si je savais ce que je faisais.I bluster as though I know what I am doing.This sentence shows je fais used within a clause regarding knowing what one is doing.Tatoeba #11727570 by lbdx, translation #10522496 by frzzl
- Bonjour madame, je vais bienHello ma'am, I am doing well
- Malgré les défis, j'ai la formeDespite the challenges, I am doing well
- Je vais bien, je suis en vacances!I am doing well, I am on vacation!
Example conversation
Gabriel calls Léa on the phone to see what she is up to.
- LéaAllô Gabriel, qu'est-ce que tu fais ?Hello Gabriel, what are you doing?
- GabrielRien de spécial, et toi ?Nothing special, and you?
- LéaJe fais du yoga dans le salon.I am doing yoga in the living room.
- GabrielD'accord, je te laisse tranquille alors.Alright, I will leave you alone then.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
