je veux t'épouser
The English phrase "I want to marry you" is translated into French as je veux t'épouser.
This phrase is a direct expression of a person's desire to enter into marriage with someone they love.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of je (I), veux (want), te (you) and épouser (to marry).
Which one should you use?
The verb épouser is specifically used for the act of marrying someone. This differs from the more common way to say "to get married to" someone, which is se marier avec.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are using the formal or plural vous to address your partner, the object pronoun changes from te to vous, resulting in je veux vous épouser.
Did you know?
- In French, the verb épouser can also be used metaphorically to mean 'to adopt' a cause, a principle, or a political opinion. You might say you épouse une cause rather than just marrying a person.
- In France, a marriage proposal is rarely a surprise based on a single sentence. It is common for couples to discuss the desire to marry extensively before the formal request is made.
- The root of épouser implies a legal or formal bond. In casual conversation, a French person might instead say Je veux me caser, which is a slang way of saying 'I want to settle down'.
Examples in context
- Je t'aime et je veux t'épouser.I love you and I want to marry you.This sentence is useful for expressing both love and the desire to marry.Tatoeba #11545599 by Aiji, translation #2033637 by CK
- Je suis amoureux de toi et je veux t'épouser.I'm in love with you and I want to marry you.This sentence is useful for expressing being in love and the desire to marry.Tatoeba #7057144 by Aiji, translation #455905 by lukaszpp
- Je veux t'épouser.I want to marry you.This sentence is useful for stating the desire to marry directly.Tatoeba #8846 by Mablaise, translation #238697 by CK
- Je souhaite vous épouser.I wish to marry you.
- Je voudrais faire de vous mon époux/épouse.I would like to make you my husband/wife.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas is proposing to Léa during a romantic dinner.
- LucasLéa, je veux t'épouser.Léa, I want to marry you.
- LéaOh Lucas, c'est incroyable !Oh Lucas, it's incredible!
- LucasTu me dis oui ?Will you say yes to me?
- LéaOui, mille fois oui !Yes, a thousand times yes!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
