je vais
The English phrase "I am going" is translated into French as je vais.
je vais is a statement used to say that someone is moving from one place to another.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase je vais is the first-person singular present tense of the verb aller (to go), meaning "I go" or "I am going".
Which one should you use?
Unlike English, which distinguishes between "I go" and "I am going" using different auxiliary verbs, French uses the same form je vais for both the simple present and the continuous present.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the near future (the "going to" construction), use je vais followed directly by the infinitive of the next verb.
Did you know?
- Although je vais means 'I am going', it is also the standard way to say 'I am doing well' when answering the question comment ça va? In this context, the verb refers to how one's life is progressing rather than physical movement.
- The root of 'vais' comes from the Latin verb 'vadere', which is the same root used in the English word 'evade', meaning to go away or escape.
- In French, saying je m'en vais is different from je vais. While je vais focuses on the destination, je m'en vais emphasizes the act of leaving the current location.
Examples in context
- Je vais au lit.I am going to bed.Tatoeba #889608 by U2FS, translation #436349 by lukaszpp
- Je vais manger !I am going to eat!Tatoeba #11621765 by Adrien_FR, translation #7681776 by ouitroisheures19
- Je vais le faire.I am going to do it.Tatoeba #1291347 by sacredceltic, translation #254788 by CK
- Je m'en vais, mais je pourrais revenir demain matin.I am leaving, but I could come back tomorrow morning.
- Non, je me casse. Je suis épuisé.No, I am getting out of here. I am exhausted.
- 116 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are at a party and Gabriel decides to leave.
- GabrielJe vais partir maintenant.I am going to leave now.
- EmmaDéjà ? C'est trop tôt !Already? It is too early!
- GabrielOui, je vais rentrer chez moi.Yes, I am going back home.
- EmmaD'accord, au revoir Gabriel !Alright, goodbye Gabriel!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, vais, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
