What does it mean word for word?
The word béguin literally refers to a type of cap, though in this idiom it means a crush.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a casual or informal way to say you have a crush on someone, use J'ai le béguin pour quelqu'un. In formal situations, you might use J'éprouve de l'attirance pour quelqu'un, Je suis attiré(e) par quelqu'un, or Je ressens des sentiments pour quelqu'un. Additionally, younger French speakers frequently use the English word 'crush' as a loanword in a colloquial way by saying avoir un crush. If you want to say you are in love with someone, a male would say Je suis amoureux de quelqu'un and a female would say Je suis amoureuse de quelqu'un.
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify who the crush is on, you must use the preposition pour followed by the person: avoir un béguin pour [quelqu'un].
Did you know?
- The term béguin is thought to be linked to the name of a person, Lambert le Bègue, whose nickname meant 'the Stammerer'.
- The term béguin refers to a type of cap originally worn by members of a religious lay sisterhood known as the Beguines.
- You can turn the noun into a verb by saying embéguiner, which means to be infatuated with someone.
Examples in context
- Je suis tombée sous le charme de mon collègue depuis que nous avons commencé à travailler ensemble.I have a crush on my colleague since we started working together.
- Je ressens des sentiments pour mon voisin, mais je suis trop timide pour lui dire.I have feelings for my neighbor, but I'm too shy to tell him.
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are talking about their classmates.
- EmmaHugo, je dois t'avouer que j'ai un béguin.Hugo, I have to admit that I have a crush.
- HugoAh bon ? C'est pour qui ?Oh really? Who is it for?
- EmmaC'est pour le nouveau garçon de la classe.It's for the new boy in the class.
- HugoJe comprends, il est très sympa.I understand, he is very nice.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries béguin, j'ai, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
