je prends
je prends is the French way to say "I take".
For example, you can use Je vais prendre ça to mean "I am going to take that".
Which one should you use?
While je prends is the standard way to say "I take", you may use Je vais prendre to express the future intent "I am going to take". In very casual settings, the colloquial expression Je choperai can be used to mean "I'll grab" or "I'll take".
How does it change in a sentence?
The word prends is the first-person singular conjugation of the verb prendre.
Did you know?
- If a French speaker says je prends froid, they are not physically grabbing the cold, but are saying 'I am catching a cold'.
- The colloquial choper, mentioned as a way to say 'I'll grab', originally comes from a word meaning 'to trap' or 'to snare' a bird.
- The word prends comes from the Latin 'prehendere', which is the same root found in the English word 'apprehend'.
Examples in context
- Je prends soin de lui.I take care of him.This sentence shows how to use je prends to express taking care of someone.Tatoeba #4550676 by sacredceltic, translation #2505864 by Hybrid
- Je prends soin de Tom.I take care of Tom.This sentence shows how to use je prends to express taking care of a specific person.Tatoeba #4962251 by franlexcois, translation #3330078 by CK
- Je prends des vitamines.I take vitamins.This sentence shows how to use je prends when referring to taking vitamins.Tatoeba #4681681 by sacredceltic, translation #2247418 by CK
- Je vais prendre le plat du jour.I am going to take the daily special.
- Je vais prendre la formule burger-frites.I am going to take the burger and fries combo.
- Je choperai une bière avant de partir.I'll grab a beer before leaving.
- Je vais prendre ça, s'il vous plaît.I am going to take that, please.
- 47 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a cafe, Nathan and Chloé are ordering drinks.
- NathanJe prends un café noir, s'il vous plaît.I'll take a black coffee, please.
- ChloéEt pour moi, je prends un thé glacé.And for me, I'll take an iced tea.
- NathanC'est une bonne idée, Chloé.That is a good idea, Chloé.
- ChloéMerci, Nathan.Thanks, Nathan.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
