J'étais enthousiaste
The English phrase "I was excited" can be translated into French as J'étais enthousiaste.
This phrase is used to describe a feeling of great enthusiasm or eagerness about something.
Which one should you use?
While J'étais enthousiaste describes a state of being enthusiastic, J'avais hâte is a more common way to express the specific feeling of being excited or eager for a future event. Another way to express being excited or eager in a more restless or impatient sense is J'étais impatient.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express excitement about a specific upcoming action, use the construction J'étais enthousiaste à l'idée de… followed by an infinitive verb.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using J'étais excité to mean "I was excited." This is a common mistake for English speakers. In French, this often carries a sexual connotation of being sexually aroused.
Did you know?
- The word enthousiaste shares its roots with the Greek word for 'possessed by a god'. It suggests a state of being filled with a divine or overwhelming spirit.
- If you want to sound like a local when expressing eagerness, use the phrase J'avais trop hâte. Adding trop (too much) is a very common way in colloquial French to add emphasis to your excitement.
- French speakers often use the verb avoir (to have) instead of être (to be) when expressing eagerness via j'avais hâte.
Examples in context
- J'étais enthousiasmé(e) lorsque j'ai reçu la nouvelle passionnante.I was excited when I received the exciting news.
- J'étais trop content(e) quand j'ai gagné cette compétition.I was so happy when I won this competition.
- J'étais enthousiaste à l'idée de partir.I was excited about the idea of leaving.
- J'étais enthousiaste avant le début du concert.I was excited before the start of the concert.
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are talking about a past trip.
- EmmaTu te souviens de notre voyage ?Do you remember our trip?
- NathanOui, c'était vraiment génial.Yes, it was really great.
- EmmaJ'étais enthousiaste avant le départ !I was excited before we left!
- NathanMoi aussi, Nathan était ravi.Me too, Nathan was delighted.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries enthousiaste, CC BY-SA 4.0.
