je déteste les araignées
The English phrase "I hate spiders" is expressed in French as je déteste les araignées.
This phrase is used to express a strong dislike for spiders.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of je (I), déteste (hate/dislike) and les araignées (the spiders).
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing a general dislike or hatred of a category of things, the definite article les must be used before araignées. The verb détester is a first-group verb, so in the first-person singular present tense, it ends in -e as seen in déteste.
Did you know?
- If you want to sound more dramatic than je déteste, you could say j'ai horreur des araignées, which literally translates to 'I have horror of spiders'.
- The word déteste comes from the Latin 'detestari', which originally meant to 'denounce' or 'proclaim against' something in a legal or religious sense.
- The word araignée belongs to a family of words used across Romance languages, but it has no linguistic connection to the English word 'spider'.
Examples in context
- Je déteste les araignées.I hate spiders.This sentence is useful for practicing the basic statement.Tatoeba #2433132 by sacredceltic, translation #2245867 by CK
- Vous savez ce que je déteste ? Je déteste les araignées.You know what I hate? I hate spiders.This sentence is useful for showing how to introduce the phrase in a conversation.Tatoeba #4544960 by Whidou, translation #4544260 by DarkHollow
- Je déteste vraiment les araignées.I really hate spiders.
- Je ne peux pas du tout supporter les araignées.I can't stand spiders at all.
- Je n'aime absolument pas les araignées.I absolutely don't like spiders.
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are cleaning the attic.
- ChloéOh non, regarde ! Je déteste les araignées.Oh no, look! I hate spiders.
- NathanNe t'inquiète pas, Chloé, je m'en occupe.Don't worry, Chloé, I'll take care of it.
- ChloéS'il te plaît, enlève-la vite !Please, remove it quickly!
- NathanC'est fait, elle est partie.It's done, it's gone.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, les, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
