je fais quelque chose
The English phrase "I am doing something" is translated into French as je fais quelque chose.
This phrase is used to state that you are currently performing an action or activity.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of je (I), fais (do/am doing) and quelque chose (something).
Which one should you use?
You can use the construction je suis en train de faire quelque chose to emphasize that an action is currently in progress at this exact moment.
How does it change in a sentence?
French does not have a separate continuous aspect (like 'I am doing') and uses the simple present tense to express both 'I do' and 'I am doing'.
Did you know?
- The word chose (something/thing) comes from the Latin causa, meaning 'cause' or 'lawsuit'. This means that in the evolution of the language, a 'legal case' eventually became the general word for a 'thing'.
- While je fais quelque chose describes an action, French speakers often use the verb faire to describe the weather, such as il fait beau for 'it is beautiful weather'. In this context, 'doing' becomes 'being' or 'existing'.
- To describe doing something in a vague or dismissive way, French speakers might say faire n'importe quoi, which literally means 'doing whatever'. This is often used to describe someone acting foolishly or chaotically.
Examples in context
- Je suis en train de travailler.I am working.
- Je suis en train de manger.I am eating.
- Je suis en train de lire un livre.I am reading a book.
- Je suis occupé(e) à écrire un rapport.I am busy writing a report.
- Je suis occupé(e) à répondre à des courriels.I am busy answering emails.
- Je fais du shopping.I am shopping.
- Je fais du sport.I am doing sports.
- Je fais la cuisine.I am cooking.
- Je suis en train de regarder une série.I am watching a series.
- Je suis en train de jouer aux jeux vidéo.I am playing video games.
- Je fais quelque chose de spécial aujourd'hui.I am doing something special today.
- Attends, je fais quelque chose d'important.Wait, I am doing something important.
- Je fais quelque chose pour t'aider.I am doing something to help you.
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are talking in the living room.
- LucasTu veux sortir avec moi, Léa ?Do you want to go out with me, Léa?
- LéaPas maintenant, je fais quelque chose.Not now, I am doing something.
- LucasQu'est-ce que tu fais ?What are you doing?
- LéaJe range ma chambre, Lucas.I am tidying my room, Lucas.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chose, je, quelque, CC BY-SA 4.0.
