je suis fiancé
The English phrase "I am engaged" is translated into French as je suis fiancé.
This phrase is used to say that someone has promised to marry another person.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the terms for different types of engagement. While je suis fiancé refers to being betrothed to a partner, the phrase je suis engagé refers to being committed to a task, a cause or a contract.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the adjective changes based on the gender of the speaker. If the person speaking is female, you must add an extra e to the end, resulting in je suis fiancée.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use je suis engagé to mean you are getting married, as this describes being involved in a task or a contract rather than a romantic betrothal.
Did you know?
- The word je shares a common ancestor with the Latin 'ego', the very root of the English word 'ego'.
- In French culture, a formal announcement of being fiancé is less common today than it was in the past, as many couples move straight from dating to wedding planning.
- Unlike English, where 'engaged' can mean both betrothed and busy, the French strictly separate fiancé for marriage and occupé for being busy.
Examples in context
- Je suis fiancé avec elle.I am engaged to her.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase je suis fiancé while specifying a partner.Tatoeba #1314941 by sacredceltic, translation #261114 by CK
- Je voulais vous informer que je suis fiancée. Mon compagnon et moi-même nous sommes fiancés.I wanted to inform you that I am engaged. My partner and I are engaged.
- Je me suis fiancée ! David et moi, on s'est fiancés samedi soir.I got engaged! David and I got engaged on Saturday night.
- Je suis fiancé avec Julie.I am engaged to Julie.
- Il a dit : « Je suis fiancé ! »He said, "I am engaged!"
Example conversation
Lucas tells Manon the big news at a cafe.
- LucasManon, j'ai une grande nouvelle.Manon, I have great news.
- ManonQu'est-ce qui se passe, Lucas ?What is happening, Lucas?
- LucasJe suis fiancé !I am engaged!
- ManonFélicitations, c'est merveilleux !Congratulations, that is wonderful!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fiancé, je, suis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
