je
/ʒə/
The French word je means.
je is the first-person singular pronoun used by a speaker to refer to themselves, translating to.
Which one should you use?
While je is the standard form, it changes to j' when it precedes a word beginning with a vowel or a silent 'h'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The pronoun je elides to j' when the following word begins with a vowel or a silent 'h'. This contraction occurs in both formal and informal settings.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʒə/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid starting a sentence with moi to mean.
Did you know?
- In casual spoken French, je often merges with the following verb, turning je ne sais pas into shais pas.
- In formal French, it is common to use the 'royal we' nous instead of je when a person of high rank speaks on behalf of their office.
- The word je is a direct descendant of the Latin word egō̆, which is also the ancestor of the English word 'ego'.
Examples in context
- Je suis enchanté(e) de vous rencontrer.I am delighted to meet you.
- J'aime le chocolat.I like chocolate.
- J'adore danser.I love to dance.
- Je travaille dans un bureau.I work in an office.
- Je comprends la question.I understand the question.
- Je cherche mes clés.I am looking for my keys.
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are meeting at a cafe.
- EmmaJe suis très fatiguée aujourd'hui.I am very tired today.
- NathanTu veux un café, Emma ?Do you want a coffee, Emma?
- EmmaOui, je veux un grand café.Yes, I want a large coffee.
- NathanD'accord, je commande pour nous.Okay, I'll order for us.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry je, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, CC BY-SA 4.0.
