je crois que
To say I believe that in French, use je crois que.
je crois que introduces an opinion or something you think is true, just like I believe that or I think that in English.
What does it mean word for word?
je means I, crois means believe and que means that.
How does it change in a sentence?
In French que cannot be left out the way that often is in English.
Did you know?
- The word croire shares a root with the word crédit. This is why 'believing' someone's word is historically tied to the ability to lend them money based on trust.
- If a French speaker says Je crois que oui or Je crois que non, they are using que as a placeholder for a whole sentence. This translates literally to 'I believe that yes' or 'I believe that no'.
- In French, je crois que is often used as a polite way to disagree. By saying 'I believe that' followed by a contradiction, the speaker avoids the bluntness of saying 'you are wrong'.
Examples in context
- Je crois que Tom est innocent.I believe that Tom is innocent.Je crois que introduces a belief about Tom.Tatoeba #9178201 by felix63, translation #2871261 by Hybrid
- Je crois que je peux gérer ça.I believe that I can handle that.Je crois que expresses confidence in yourself.Tatoeba #11118697 by Aiji, translation #7519578 by CK
- Je crois que tu devrais partir.I believe that you should leave.Je crois que softens a piece of advice.Tatoeba #7996008 by Aiji, translation #6111011 by CK
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are discussing the weather forecast.
- ChloéJe crois qu'il va pleuvoir demain.I believe that it is going to rain tomorrow.
- LucasAh bon ? Le ciel est bleu aujourd'hui.Really? The sky is blue today.
- ChloéOui, mais je crois que le vent change.Yes, but I believe that the wind is changing.
- LucasAlors je vais prendre mon parapluie.Then I will take my umbrella.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
