j'ai suivi un cours
The English phrase "I took a class" is translated into French as j'ai suivi un cours.
This phrase is used to say that someone enrolled in and attended a course of study.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from j'ai (I have), suivi (followed) and un cours (a course).
Which one should you use?
While j'ai pris un cours is sometimes used, j'ai suivi un cours is the more natural and standard way to express having attended and completed a course of study.
Did you know?
- The word cours is a linguistic doublet of the English word 'course'. Both words share the same ancestor in the Latin word cursus, which referred to a running or a race.
- While suivre un cours refers to a class, the verb suivre is also used in medical contexts to describe monitoring a patient's progress or following a specific treatment plan.
- The phrase j'ai suivi un cours suggests the student is following the lead or the path set by the teacher, rather than simply enrolling in a subject.
Examples in context
- J'ai suivi un cours de français l'année dernière.I took a French class last year.
- J'ai suivi un cours de cuisine l'été dernier.I took a cooking class last summer.
- J'ai suivi un cours de piano quand j'étais petit.I took a piano class when I was little.
- J'ai suivi un cours de français pour voyager.I took a French class to travel.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are talking about their hobbies.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu parles espagnol ?Do you speak Spanish?
- ManonUn peu, j'ai suivi un cours l'année dernière.A little, I took a class last year.
- GabrielC'est super, Manon !That's great, Manon!
- ManonMerci Gabriel, c'était très utile.Thanks Gabriel, it was very useful.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cours, j'ai, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
