je suis tellement malade
The English phrase "I am so sick" is translated into French as je suis tellement malade.
This phrase is a statement used to express that you are feeling very ill or unwell. You can adjust the severity or tone by changing the adverbs used, such as using très (very) or vraiment (really) to describe how sick you feel.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of je (I), suis (am), tellement (so/so much) and malade (sick).
Which one should you use?
While je suis tellement malade emphasizes the intensity or degree of the sickness more than je suis très malade (I am very sick) does,
Did you know?
- In French, if you want to say you are 'sick' of a situation rather than physically ill, you would use the phrase en avoir marre instead of malade.
- The word malade stems from the Latin phrase male habitus, which literally means 'ill-kept' or 'in bad condition'.
- Unlike English, where 'sick' can be slang for 'cool' or 'amazing', using malade in this way is rare and usually describes something 'insane' or 'wild'.
Examples in context
- Je suis tellement malade.I am so sick.This sentence is useful for expressing the phrase je suis tellement malade.Tatoeba #2164001 by sacredceltic, translation #2163129 by Source_VOA
- Je suis tellement malade que je ne peux pas sortir.I am so sick that I cannot go out.
- Désolé, je suis tellement malade aujourd'hui.Sorry, I am so sick today.
Example conversation
Hugo is calling Chloé to explain why he cannot meet her.
- HugoChloé, je ne peux pas venir, je suis tellement malade.Chloé, I cannot come, I am so sick.
- ChloéOh non, est-ce que tu as de la fièvre ?Oh no, do you have a fever?
- HugoOui, je suis vraiment très mal.Yes, I am really very unwell.
- ChloéRepose-toi bien, Hugo.Get some good rest, Hugo.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, malade, suis, tellement, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
