Learning a new language is an exciting endeavor, and if you’re interested in learning French, you might be wondering how to express the phrase “learning French” in the French language itself. In this guide, we will explore various ways to convey this idea, including formal and informal expressions, while also providing useful tips and examples to help you along your language learning journey.
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions:
1. “Apprendre le français” – This is the most common and formal way to say “learning French” in French. The verb “apprendre” means “to learn” and is used with the definite article “le” (the) followed by the noun “français” (French).
Example: “J’apprends le français.” – “I am learning French.”
2. “Étudier le français.” – If you prefer to use the word “study” instead of “learn,” you can say “étudier le français.” This is also a formal expression often used when referring to learning any language.
Example: “Je suis en train d’étudier le français.” – “I am currently studying French.”
3. “Se former en français.” – Another formal way to express “learning French” is by using the reflexive verb “se former” which means “to train oneself” or “to educate oneself.” This phrasing emphasizes the aspect of self-improvement that comes with language learning.
Example: “Je me forme en français.” – “I am training myself in French.”
Informal Expressions:
1. “Apprendre du français” – In casual or informal conversations, it is common to drop the definite article “le” and use “du” instead. This informal expression is equivalent to “learning French.”
Example: “J’apprends du français.” – “I am learning French.”
2. “S’initier au français.” – An informal way to say “learning French” is by using the reflexive verb “s’initier” which means “to get initiated” or “to get started.” This expression implies a beginner’s level of language learning.
Example: “Je m’initie au français.” – “I am getting started with French.”
Additional Tips and Examples:
– When expressing “learning French,” it is important to match the verb form with the appropriate subject pronoun. For example, “j’apprends” is used for “I am learning,” “tu apprends” for “you are learning,” “il/elle/on apprend” for “he/she/one is learning,” etc.
– If you want to emphasize that you are actively engaged in the learning process, you can use the phrase “être en train de” before the verb. For example, “Je suis en train d’apprendre le français.” – “I am in the process of learning French.”
– French verbs often require a specific preposition after them. For instance, “apprendre” is followed by “le” for languages, as shown in the formal expressions above.
In Summary:
Learning French can be expressed in various ways, depending on the level of formality or the specific context. The formal expressions include “apprendre le français,” “étudier le français,” and “se former en français.” Meanwhile, the informal expressions consist of “apprendre du français” and “s’initier au français.” Remember to adjust the verb form to match the subject pronoun and consider using additional phrases like “être en train de” to convey active engagement. With these various options at your disposal, you can confidently express your language learning journey in French.
