Je parle français
To say "I know french" in French, use Je parle français.
This phrase is a statement used to say that one is able to speak the French language.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Je parle français literally translates to "I speak French" rather than "I know French".
Which one should you use?
While Je connais le français is grammatically possible to mean one is familiar with the language, Je parle français is the standard way to express proficiency in a language.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase Je parle français, the language name français does not require a definite article (like le) when used directly after the verb parler.
Did you know?
- While français refers to the language, if you use it to describe a person, it must be capitalized as Français.
- The name for the language, français, originates from the word 'Frank', a Germanic tribe that played a decisive role in the formation of the medieval French identity.
- There is a subtle social difference in France where stating Je parle français might be seen as redundant or odd if you are already speaking it perfectly.
Examples in context
- Est-ce que vous parlez français ?Do you speak French?
Example conversation
Lucas is asking Manon about her language skills.
- ManonEst-ce que tu parles français ?Do you speak French?
- LucasOui, je parle français.Yes, I speak French.
- ManonC'est super, Manon !That's great, Manon!
- LucasMerci, Lucas.Thank you, Lucas.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries français, je, CC BY-SA 4.0.
