je vais me coucher
In French, "I am going to bed" is said as je vais me coucher.
This phrase is used to state that you are leaving to go to sleep.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of je (I), vais (go), me (myself) and coucher (to lie down/to put to bed).
Which one should you use?
While je vais me coucher focuses on the act of going to bed or lying down, the phrase je vais dormir focuses on the act of sleeping itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the verb aller (to go) followed by an infinitive to express an immediate future action.
Did you know?
- The word coucher is actually a 'doublet' of the verb colloquer, meaning they both share the same Latin ancestor.
- In France, the phrase faire dodo is a common childish way to say 'go to bed', often used by adults when speaking to children or pets.
- While je vais me coucher means you are heading to bed, French speakers often use the phrase je tombe de sommeil to describe being so exhausted they are 'falling' asleep.
Examples in context
- Je vais me coucher à 22 heures.I am going to bed at 10 p.m.
- Je vais aller me coucher tôt ce soir.I am going to bed early tonight.
- Bonne nuit, je vais me coucher.Good night, I am going to bed.
- Il est tard, je vais me coucher.It is late, I am going to bed.
- Je suis fatiguée, je vais me coucher.I am tired, I am going to bed.
- Bonne nuit, je vais me coucher maintenant.Good night, I am going to bed now.
Example conversation
At home in the evening, Chloé and Lucas are finishing their day.
- ChloéJe vais me coucher, Lucas.I am going to bed, Lucas.
- LucasD'accord, bonne nuit Chloé.Okay, good night Chloé.
- ChloéÀ demain matin.See you tomorrow morning.
- LucasÀ demain.See you tomorrow.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries coucher, je, me, vais, CC BY-SA 4.0.
