j'ai envie de
The French phrase for 'I feel like' is j'ai envie de, used to express a desire or inclination to do something.
j'ai envie de is used to express a desire, a craving or an inclination toward an action or an object.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to 'I have desire of' or 'I have the urge of'.
Which one should you use?
While the English 'I feel like' can sometimes mean 'it seems to me that', the French j'ai envie de is strictly limited to expressing a desire or craving.
How does it change in a sentence?
The preposition de must always be used before an infinitive verb or a noun following this phrase.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using je me sens comme to express a desire. While this may seem like a direct translation of 'I feel like', it is an error and does not mean 'I want to' in French.
Did you know?
- The word envie comes from the Latin word invidia, which meant 'envy' or 'jealousy'. In modern French, the phrase j'ai envie de has shifted from wanting what someone else has to simply expressing a personal desire.
- In French, physical and emotional states like hunger, thirst and desire are expressed as things one possesses using avoir (to have) rather than how one feels.
- Using the phrase j'ai envie de to say you feel like vomiting is a common and natural way to describe nausea in French.
Examples in context
- J'ai envie de vomir.I feel like vomiting.This sentence is useful for expressing the desire to vomit using j'ai envie de.Tatoeba #501139 by sacredceltic, translation #18952 by CK
- J'ai envie de rendre.I feel like throwing up.This sentence is useful for expressing the desire to throw up using j'ai envie de.Tatoeba #501141 by sacredceltic, translation #279379 by CK
- J'ai envie de danser.I feel like dancing.This sentence is useful for expressing the desire to dance using j'ai envie de.Tatoeba #2416713 by sacredceltic, translation #2325995 by CK
- J'ai envie de prendre une pause.I feel like taking a break.
- J'ai envie de manger une pizza.I feel like eating pizza.
- J'ai l'impression qu'il fait froid aujourd'hui.I feel like it's cold today.
- J'ai la sensation qu'il y a quelque chose qui cloche.I feel like something is wrong.
- 55 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to do on a Saturday afternoon.
- ChloéJ'ai envie de sortir ce soir.I feel like going out tonight.
- HugoMoi, j'ai envie de rester à la maison.I feel like staying at home.
- ChloéTu es fatigué, Hugo ?Are you tired, Hugo?
- HugoOui, je suis un peu épuisé.Yes, I am a little exhausted.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, envie, j'ai, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
