je fais des études de
The English phrase "I am majoring in" is translated into French as je fais des études de.
This phrase is used to state the primary subject a student is studying at a college or university.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, je fais des études de means "I am doing studies of".
Which one should you use?
While je fais des études de focuses on the action of studying, je suis étudiant en focuses on the person's status as a student in a specific field.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is followed by the subject of study without an article, such as je fais des études de droit for "I am majoring in law".
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly try to use a calque like je majore en, which is not a standard way to express a major in French.
Did you know?
- In France, the term major is used to describe the student who ranks first in their graduating class, rather than the subject they study.
- If you tell a French person je majore en, you might accidentally say you are 'raising the price' of something, as the verb majorer refers to increasing a value or cost.
- In many French-speaking countries, students do not have a single 'major' like in the US, but often choose a 'parcours' or a specific track within a broader discipline.
Examples in context
- Je me spécialise en informatiqueI am majoring in computer science
- Je fais des études en sociologieI am majoring in sociology
- Je suis en psychologieI am majoring in psychology
- Je me concentre sur l'histoire de l'artI am majoring in art history
- Je fais des études de psychologie.I am majoring in psychology.
- Je fais des études de droit.I am majoring in law.
Example conversation
Two students are talking in a university hallway.
- ChloéSalut Gabriel, qu'est-ce que tu fais comme études ?Hi Gabriel, what are you studying?
- GabrielJe fais des études de physique, et toi ?I am majoring in physics, and you?
- ChloéMoi, je fais des études de lettres.As for me, I am majoring in literature.
- GabrielC'est passionnant comme sujet !That is an exciting subject!
