What does it mean word for word?
The phrase j'ai hâte literally translates to "I have haste".
Which one should you use?
Unlike the English "I am looking forward to it", the French j'ai hâte does not require a direct object like "le" or "cela" to complete the thought. It can stand alone. While j'ai hâte is common for general excitement, Je me réjouis de… is used to imply a sense of pleasure or being delighted about something.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal correspondence, je me réjouis de is a more professional way to express anticipation than j'ai hâte. Additionally, J'ai trop hâte de… is an informal way to say "I'm so excited to…".
How does it change in a sentence?
When using j'ai hâte followed by a verb, you must use the preposition de before the infinitive (e.g., j'ai hâte de…). If the subject of the thing you are looking forward to is different from yourself, you must use que followed by the subjunctive mood (e.g., j'ai hâte que…).
Did you know?
- The word hâte shares a common ancestor with the English word 'heist', stemming from the same Germanic root.
- While j'ai hâte is a standard way to show excitement, using j'ai trop hâte is a modern linguistic trend where trop (meaning 'too much') is used as a positive intensifier like 'so' or 'very'.
- The expression j'ai hâte describes excitement as something you 'have' rather than something you 'are'. This reflects a common French pattern of using avoir (to have) for physical and emotional sensations.
Examples in context
- Un nouveau RPG sort cette semaine, donc j'ai hâte d'y jouer.A new RPG is coming out this week, so I'm looking forward to it.This sentence shows how to use j'ai hâte when talking about the release of a new game.Tatoeba #14036257 by Myrano_, translation #13844106 by dust_bunny
- J'ai hâte de vous rencontrerI'm looking forward to meeting you
- J'attends avec impatience notre entretienI'm eagerly awaiting our meeting
- Je me réjouis de te voir bientôtI'm looking forward to seeing you soon
- Je me réjouis de notre collaboration futureI'm looking forward to our future collaboration
- J'ai trop hâte de te voirI'm so excited to see you
- J'ai trop hâte de partir en vacancesI'm so excited to go on vacation
- J'ai vraiment hâte de commencer ce projetI'm really looking forward to starting this project
- J'ai vraiment hâte d'entendre tes nouvellesI'm really looking forward to hearing your news
- Je me réjouis d'avance de notre soirée ensembleI'm looking forward in advance to our evening together
- Je me réjouis d'avance de notre prochain repasI'm looking forward in advance to our next meal
- J'ai hâte de te voir ce soir.I am looking forward to seeing you tonight.
- J'ai hâte de partir en vacances.I am looking forward to going on vacation.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their plans for a concert.
- EmmaLe concert est demain soir !The concert is tomorrow night!
- LucasOui, j'ai hâte d'y aller avec toi.Yes, I am looking forward to going there with you.
- EmmaÇa va être super.It is going to be great.
- LucasJe suis d'accord.I agree.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hâte, j'ai, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
