je mange de la pizza
In French, "I am eating pizza" is said as je mange de la pizza.
This phrase is used to state that you are currently in the process of eating pizza. If you want to use more informal language, you can use the slang verb bouffer to mean "to eat".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase de la is a partitive article which means "some". It is used here to indicate an unspecified amount of an uncountable noun.
How does it change in a sentence?
French does not have a separate continuous aspect like the English "am eating". The simple present je mange covers both "I eat" and "I am eating".
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying je mange la pizza if you mean you are eating some pizza. Including the specific article la instead of the partitive de la implies you are eating a specific, previously mentioned pizza.
Did you know?
- While bouffer is common slang for 'to eat', it originally meant 'to gorge oneself' or 'to puff out one's cheeks' while eating.
- The slang verb bouffer is so versatile that it can also be used to mean 'to eat up' or 'to consume' time and space.
- The French word je shares a common ancestor with the English word 'I', both tracing back to the same Latin root egō̆.
Examples in context
- Je kiffe grave cette pizza !I am really enjoying this pizza!
- Je mange de la pizza dans la cuisine.I am eating pizza in the kitchen.
- Regarde, je mange de la pizza avec mes amis.Look, I am eating pizza with my friends.
- Je mange de la pizza parce que j'ai faim.I am eating pizza because I am hungry.
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are talking on the phone during lunch.
- EmmaSalut Nathan, qu'est-ce que tu fais ?Hi Nathan, what are you doing?
- NathanJe mange de la pizza, et toi Emma ?I am eating pizza, and you Emma?
- EmmaMoi, je prépare un sandwich.Me, I am making a sandwich.
- NathanBon appétit alors !Enjoy your meal then!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, je, la, pizza, CC BY-SA 4.0.
