je veux rentrer chez moi
The English phrase "I want to go home" is expressed in French as je veux rentrer chez moi.
This phrase is used to express a desire to return to one's own place of residence. While you could say je veux aller à la maison to mean "I want to go to the house", it is much less natural than using je veux rentrer chez moi when you are expressing the specific desire to return home.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase je veux rentrer chez moi literally translates to "I want to return to my place".
Which one should you use?
The verb rentrer is used specifically because it implies returning to a place where one belongs or lives, rather than simply going to a location. While je veux aller à la maison is grammatically correct, it lacks the natural nuance of returning home that rentrer provides.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The shortened form J'veux rentrer chez moi. is an informal version used specifically in France.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the construction je veux rentrer chez moi, the second verb rentrer remains in the infinitive form because it follows the conjugated verb veux.
Did you know?
- Because chez refers to a person's place of residence, you can say je rentre chez le médecin to mean 'I am going to the doctor's office'.
- The word chez is a linguistic doublet of the English word 'case'. Both words evolved from the Latin word casa, which means 'house'.
- The verb rentrer can be used to describe the act of returning to one's home country, not just a physical house.
Examples in context
- Je suis fatigué et je veux rentrer chez moi.I'm tired and I want to go home.This sentence shows how to express being tired and wanting to go home using je veux rentrer chez moi.Tatoeba #7555250 by Aiji, translation #2591951 by CK
- Je veux rentrer chez moi aujourd'hui.I want to go home today.This sentence demonstrates how to specify a desire to go home today using je veux rentrer chez moi.Tatoeba #11541378 by megamanenm, translation #6355805 by CK
- Excusez-moi, mais je souhaite rentrer chez moi maintenant.Excuse me, but I want to go home now.
- J'en ai assez pour aujourd'hui, je veux rentrer chez moi.I've had enough for today, I want to go home.
- T'sais, j'ai hâte de rentrer à la maison, il fait vraiment froid ici.You know, I can't wait to go home, it's really cold here.
- J'ai passé une bonne journée, mais maintenant j'veux rentrer chez moi.I had a good day, but now I want to go home.
- Il est tard, je veux rentrer chez moi.It is late, I want to go home.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are at a party and it is getting late.
- GabrielLa fête est finie pour moi, je veux rentrer chez moi.The party is over for me, I want to go home.
- LéaTu es vraiment fatigué, Gabriel ?Are you really tired, Gabriel?
- GabrielOui, je veux juste dormir dans mon lit.Yes, I just want to sleep in my bed.
- LéaD'accord, rentrons ensemble alors.Okay, let's go home together then.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chez, je, moi, rentrer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
