je travaille
The English phrase "I am working" is translated into French as je travaille.
The phrase is used to state that you are currently performing a job or a specific task.
Which one should you use?
While je travaille is the standard way to express this, you can use je suis en train de travailler if you want to specifically emphasize that the action is currently in progress at this very moment.
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, the present tense je travaille covers both the English "I work" and "I am working".
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying je suis travaillant.
Did you know?
- The French language uses the same root for 'work' as the word for 'torture' in Old French, reflecting a historical view of labor as a burden.
- To say you are working extremely hard, you might use the phrase je charbonne, which comes from the word for 'coal' and implies heavy, grueling labor.
- The word travail (work) shares its root with the word for 'travail' in English, which refers to the struggle or pain of childbirth.
Examples in context
- Aujourd'hui, je travaille chez moi.Today, I am working from home.This sentence shows how to use je travaille to say you are working from home.Tatoeba #1337408 by Julien_PDC, translation #7803116 by sharris123
- Je travaille sur mon nouveau livre.I am working on my new book.This sentence shows how to use je travaille to say you are working on a specific project.Tatoeba #8564719 by Aiji, translation #269239 by CK
- Je travaille dur pour essayer d'apprendre l'anglais.I am working hard trying to learn English.This sentence shows how to use je travaille to describe working hard toward a goal.Tatoeba #4611763 by sacredceltic, translation #890502 by Scott
- Je travaille actuellement sur le rapport.I am currently working on the report.
- Je suis en train de travailler sur la présentation.I am working on the presentation.
- Je suis au boulot, mais je peux te rappeler plus tard.I am at work, but I can call you back later.
- Je suis en train de travailler sur une idée géniale.I am working on a brilliant idea.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé calls Nathan to see if he is free to talk.
- ChloéSalut Nathan, tu es libre ?Hi Nathan, are you free?
- NathanDésolé Chloé, je travaille en ce moment.Sorry Chloé, I am working right now.
- ChloéD'accord, je te rappelle plus tard.Okay, I will call you back later.
- NathanOui, à plus tard.Yes, see you later.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
