je suis enceinte
In French, the phrase for "I am pregnant" is je suis enceinte.
A woman uses this phrase to say that she is expecting a baby.
Which one should you use?
While je suis enceinte is the standard way to say "I am pregnant", the phrase être enceinte is the infinitive form used to describe the state of being pregnant.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Québec, it is common to say Y'a un bébé qui s'en vient.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective enceinte is feminine and must agree with a female subject.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes mistakenly use the verb avoir (to have) instead of être (to be) to say je suis enceinte.
Did you know?
- The word enceinte is also the standard French word for a 'fortified wall' or an 'enclosure'.
- While enceinte is the medical and formal term, French speakers often use the word attendre (to wait) in phrases like j'attends un heureux événement to announce a pregnancy.
- Historically, French speakers used the phrase être en état to describe pregnancy as a more discreet or polite euphemism.
Examples in context
- Je suis enceinte et je saigne.I am pregnant and I am bleeding.This sentence is useful for describing a medical situation with je suis enceinte.Tatoeba #10707251 by AutoBot, translation #10707245 by AutoBot
- Papa, je suis enceinte, voici la liste des suspects…Dad, I am pregnant. Here is the list of the suspects…This sentence uses je suis enceinte in a humorous or dramatic context.Tatoeba #7561378 by tras, translation #4438493 by shanghainese
- Je suis enceinte.I am pregnant.This sentence provides a simple way to state je suis enceinte.Tatoeba #333315 by sysko, translation #259872 by shekitten
- Je suis heureuse de vous annoncer que je suis enceinte.I am happy to announce that I am pregnant.
- C'est avec une grande joie que je vous annonce que j'attends un bébé.It is with great joy that I announce that I am expecting a baby.
- Devine quoi? Je suis en cloque!Guess what? I'm knocked up!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is having dinner at home.
- ManonGabriel, j'ai une grande nouvelle.Gabriel, I have great news.
- GabrielQu'est-ce qui se passe, Manon ?What is happening, Manon?
- ManonJe suis enceinte.I am pregnant.
- GabrielC'est merveilleux, je suis tellement heureux !That is wonderful, I am so happy!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
