je suis ravi
In French, 'I am pleased' is expressed as je suis ravi.
The phrase is used to express that you are very happy or delighted about something.
Which one should you use?
While je suis ravi implies a high level of delight or being 'delighted', je suis content is a more common, everyday way to say one is simply happy or satisfied. When meeting someone for the first time, it is more common and natural to simply say enchanté (or enchantée for a woman) rather than the full phrase je suis ravi de vous rencontrer.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some informal contexts and certain regions, people may add moi at the end of the sentence to emphasize individual pleasure.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the speaker is female, the adjective must take an extra 'e' at the end. The phrase is typically followed by the preposition de before a verb or a noun.
Did you know?
- The word ravi shares a root with the English word 'ravish', but in French, it describes a state of intense joy rather than the act of seizing or carrying someone away by force.
- In historical French, the term ravi was often used to describe someone who was 'carried away' by a religious or mystical ecstasy.
- In many French-speaking social circles, using je suis ravi can sound slightly theatrical or overly formal, almost as if you are a character in a 19th-century novel.
Examples in context
- Je suis ravie de te rencontrer.I am pleased to meet you.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of je suis ravi when meeting someone.Tatoeba #2597077 by sacredceltic, translation #1879692 by Asma
- Bonjour, je suis ravi(e) de vous rencontrerHello, I am pleased to meet you
- Ça me fait énormément plaisirThat gives me enormous pleasure
- Je suis ravi de cette nouvelle.I am delighted by this news.
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are talking about a successful project at work.
- LucasLe projet est enfin terminé !The project is finally finished!
- ChloéJe suis ravie de ce succès.I am delighted by this success.
- LucasMoi aussi, je suis ravi.Me too, I am pleased.
- ChloéC'est un excellent travail pour nous.It is an excellent job for us.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, ravi, suis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
