Guide on How to Say “I Wore” in French

Learning how to express “I wore” in French can come in handy when describing past experiences, fashion choices, or even just reminiscing about cherished memories. In this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways to convey this phrase, while also providing some tips and examples along the way.

Formal Ways to Say “I Wore” in French

When expressing “I wore” formally in French, you typically use the verb “porter” which means “to wear.” To conjugate “porter” in the past tense, you need to bear in mind the subject pronoun and the corresponding past participle form:

J’ai porté – I wore (masculine singular)

J’ai porté – I wore (feminine singular)

Nous avons porté – We wore (masculine/feminine plural)

Vous avez porté – You wore (formal or plural)

Ils/Elles ont porté – They wore (masculine/feminine plural)

Here are a few examples of using “porter” in formal situations:

• J’ai porté une robe élégante hier soir. – I wore an elegant dress last night.
• Elle a porté un costume traditionnel pour la cérémonie. – She wore a traditional costume for the ceremony.
• Nous avons porté des chapeaux lors de notre excursion. – We wore hats during our excursion.
• Vous avez porté un costume impeccable. – You wore an impeccable suit.
• Ils ont porté des tenues de soirée pour l’événement. – They wore evening outfits for the event.

Informal Ways to Say “I Wore” in French

When speaking informally, especially with friends or family, native French speakers often use the verb “mettre” (to put on) instead of “porter” to express “I wore.” Here are the different conjugations of “mettre” in the past tense:

J’ai mis – I wore (masculine or feminine singular)

Nous avons mis – We wore (masculine/feminine plural)

Vous avez mis – You wore (formal or plural)

Ils/Elles ont mis – They wore (masculine/feminine plural)

Take a look at some informal examples using “mettre” in context:

• J’ai mis mes baskets préférées pour la soirée. – I wore my favorite sneakers for the party.
• Elle a mis une jolie robe à fleurs. – She wore a pretty floral dress.
• Nous avons mis nos manteaux avant de sortir. – We wore our coats before going out.
• Vous avez mis des jeans et un t-shirt. – You wore jeans and a t-shirt.
• Ils ont mis des vêtements chauds pour la randonnée. – They wore warm clothes for the hike.

Additional Tips and Regional Variations

While the above phrases cover the general ways to express “I wore” in French, there might be some regional variations that include specific vocabulary or idiomatic expressions. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when encountering regional differences:

1. Canadian French: In Canadian French, especially in the province of Quebec, you might hear “j’ai porté” and “j’ai mis” interchangeably.
2. “Se vêtir” or “s’habiller”: In some formal contexts, such as writing or official speeches, you may encounter the usage of “se vêtir” (to dress oneself) or “s’habiller” (to get dressed) instead of “porter” or “mettre.”
3. Context is key: Sometimes, the French language relies heavily on context. For instance, instead of saying “j’ai porté un pull” (I wore a sweater), you might simply say “j’en ai porté un” (I wore one), assuming the context of the conversation makes it clear what item you wore.

Remember that the choice between “porter” and “mettre” depends on the situation and your level of formality. It is always essential to adapt your language based on the context and the people you are speaking with.

By mastering these formal and informal expressions for “I wore” in French, you can confidently impress others with your fashion anecdotes and effortlessly navigate past experiences. Happy speaking!