Je suis de nationalité indienne
The phrase "my nationality is indian" in French is expressed as Je suis de nationalité indienne.
This phrase is used to identify the country where a person holds legal citizenship. For the adjective referring to nationality, the masculine form is indien and the feminine form is indienne.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, Je suis de nationalité indienne translates to "I am of Indian nationality".
Which one should you use?
While Je suis de nationalité indienne is a formal way to state your citizenship, the more common and direct way to say "I am Indian" is Je suis indien.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase Je suis de nationalité indienne, the adjective indienne is in the feminine form because it must agree with the feminine noun nationalité.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the masculine indien when referring to their nationality in this specific sentence structure. You must use the feminine indienne to ensure it agrees with nationalité.
Did you know?
- In French, nationality adjectives like indien are not capitalized when used as adjectives, unlike in English where 'Indian' is always capitalized.
- While indienne refers to the country of India here, the same word can also describe things related to the indigenous peoples of the Americas in certain historical contexts.
- The form suis was influenced by the Latin word 'fuī', meaning 'I was', which is why it looks different from other present-tense verbs.
Examples in context
- Je suis de nationalité indienne, et j'apprends le français depuis deux ans.I am of Indian nationality, and I have been learning French for two years.
- Sur mon passeport, il est écrit que je suis de nationalité indienne.On my passport, it is written that I am of Indian nationality.
- Si on vous demande, je suis de nationalité indienne.If they ask you, I am of Indian nationality.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are filling out forms at an administration office.
- LéaNathan, quelle est votre nationalité ?Nathan, what is your nationality?
- NathanJe suis de nationalité indienne.I am of Indian nationality.
- LéaD'accord, et moi, je suis de nationalité française.Okay, and as for me, I am of French nationality.
- NathanC'est noté, merci Léa.It's noted, thank you Léa.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, je, nationalité, suis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
