je m'entraîne
To say I work out in French, meaning you exercise to improve your health or fitness, use je m'entraîne.
je m'entraîne is the usual way to say that you train regularly, for example at a gym.
What does it mean word for word?
je m'entraîne literally means I train myself. The reflexive pronoun, shortened to m with an apostrophe, shows that the action is done to yourself.
Which one should you use?
Je m'entraîne often suggests a structured or repeated training routine, like at a gym, whereas je fais du sport is a more general way to say you do physical activities or sports.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb is reflexive, so the pronoun changes with the person. For he or she works out, say il/elle s'entraîne.
Did you know?
- The root of entraîne comes from the verb traîner, which means 'to drag'. This suggests the original idea of being led or pulled through a process of discipline.
- Although entraîneur is the traditional French word for a trainer, the English word coach is now frequently used in French gyms.
- The word je descends from the Classical Latin egō̆, which is the direct ancestor of the English word 'ego'.
Examples in context
- Je m'entraîne régulièrement à la salle de sport.I train regularly at the gym.
- Non, désolé(e), je fais déjà du sport avec mon club de course.No, sorry, I already do sports with my running club.
- Je me bouge ! Je fais de l'exercice tous les jours et ça me donne de l'énergie.I get moving! I exercise every day, and it gives me energy.
- Je m'entraîne trois fois par semaine.I work out three times a week.
- Je m'entraîne tous les matins.I work out every morning.
- Je m'entraîne pour préparer un marathon.I work out to prepare for a marathon.
- Je m'entraîne à la salle de sport.I work out at the gym.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their fitness routines at a cafe.
- ManonTu fais du sport en ce moment ?Are you doing any sports lately?
- LucasOui, je m'entraîne trois fois par semaine.Yes, I work out three times a week.
- ManonC'est impressionnant, Lucas !That is impressive, Lucas!
- LucasMerci, Manon, c'est pour rester en forme.Thanks, Manon, it is to stay in shape.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, CC BY-SA 4.0.
