j'ai des yeux
The phrase "I have eyes" in French is j'ai des yeux.
This phrase is a literal statement used to indicate that the speaker possesses the physical organ of sight.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of je (I), ai (have), des (some/plural indefinite article) and yeux (eyes).
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase j'ai des yeux, the indefinite article des is used to mean "I have eyes".
Did you know?
- While j'ai des yeux is literal, the common French idiom avoir l'œil means to be observant or to have a keen eye for detail.
- While the singular 'eye' is œil, its plural form yeux looks nothing like the root, a result of centuries of phonetic transformations in Middle French.
- The word yeux shares a common Latin ancestor oculus with the English word 'ocular'.
Examples in context
- J'ai des yeux.I have eyes.Tatoeba #3566810 by sacredceltic, translation #2245881 by CK
- Laissez-moi me présenter : j'ai les yeux bleus.Let me introduce myself: I have blue eyes.
- Regarde cette magnifique vue, j'ai les mirettes qui pétillent!Look at this stunning view, my eyes are sparkling!
- J'ai des yeux bleus.I have blue eyes.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are looking at a childhood photo.
- GabrielRegarde, j'ai des yeux identiques aux tiens.Look, I have eyes identical to yours.
- ManonC'est vrai, Gabriel, c'est frappant.It's true, Gabriel, it's striking.
- GabrielOn dirait que j'ai des yeux de chat.It looks like I have cat eyes.
- ManonNon, tu as juste de beaux yeux.No, you just have beautiful eyes.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries des, j'ai, yeux, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
