j'ai des cours de piano
To say "I have piano lessons" in French, use j'ai des cours de piano.
This phrase is used to indicate that you take regular classes to learn how to play the piano. You may also encounter the alternative expression faire du piano (to do/play piano) to express that you study or play the instrument.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "I have some lessons of piano". The component j'ai is the first-person singular form of the verb avoir, meaning "to have".
Which one should you use?
Use j'ai des cours de piano to imply a regular schedule of lessons. If you wish to refer to a single session, you should use the singular form j'ai un cours de piano.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase j'ai des cours de piano, the word des is the plural indefinite article used because cours (lessons) is plural. To switch to the singular "I have a piano lesson", change the plural des cours to the singular un cours.
Did you know?
- In French, the word piano is an abbreviation of the Italian pianoforte, which translates to 'soft-loud'. This name describes the instrument's ability to change volume based on the player's touch.
- In French culture, students often use j'ai cours as a general shorthand to say they are in class, regardless of the specific subject.
- The word piano is a linguistic relative of the English words 'plain' and 'plan' because they all derive from the Latin root for 'flat'.
Examples in context
- J'ai des cours de piano le lundi.I have piano lessons on Mondays.
- Est-ce que j'ai des cours de piano aujourd'hui ?Do I have piano lessons today?
- Je ne peux pas venir car j'ai des cours de piano.I cannot come because I have piano lessons.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their weekly schedules.
- LucasTu es libre ce soir ?Are you free this evening?
- EmmaNon, j'ai des cours de piano à dix-huit heures.No, I have piano lessons at 6:00 p.m.
- LucasAh, je comprends, bonne chance à toi !Ah, I understand, good luck to you!
- EmmaMerci beaucoup, Lucas !Thank you very much, Lucas!
