je me sens mal
In French, "I feel bad" is expressed as je me sens mal.
This phrase is used to express that one feels physically ill or unwell.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the subject je (I), the reflexive pronoun me (myself), the verb sens (feel) and the adverb mal (badly/bad).
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the adjective mauvais instead of the adverb mal. Do not say je me sens mauvais as it is grammatically incorrect in this context.
Did you know?
- The word sens in French can also mean 'direction', which is why the phrase for 'feeling bad' uses a word that also describes a way or a path.
- In French, if you want to say you 'feel bad' about a moral mistake, you might say je m'en veux, rather than using the word mal.
- The word mal comes from the Latin malus, which is a direct relative of the English word 'malice'.
Examples in context
- Je me sens mal.I feel bad.This sentence is useful for practicing the basic phrase je me sens mal.Tatoeba #761130 by pandark, translation #2245737 by CK
- Je me sens mal pour eux.I feel bad for them.This sentence shows how to use je me sens mal to express feeling bad for someone else.Tatoeba #1638556 by sacredceltic, translation #1637340 by Spamster
- Je me sens mal pour elle.I feel bad for her.This sentence shows how to use je me sens mal to express feeling bad for a female subject.Tatoeba #1638727 by sacredceltic, translation #1637339 by Spamster
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are at a party.
- NathanJe me sens mal, je vais sortir.I feel sick, I'm going outside.
- ManonQu'est-ce qui se passe, Nathan ?What is happening, Nathan?
- NathanJ'ai soudainement très mal au cœur.I suddenly feel very nauseous.
- ManonJe t'accompagne pour t'aider.I'll go with you to help you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, mal, me, sens, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
