How do you say "I have to" in French?

"I have to" in French is "Je dois". This phrase is commonly used in France.

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How to Say ‘I have to’ in French

Q: What does "Je dois" mean in English?

"Je dois" means "I have to" in English. Usage tip: [Je dois] is the usual way to say "I have to" in French, even though [dois] comes from the verb for "must / owe." You can reuse it with another verb after it: [Je dois partir] = "I have to leave."

Je dois

zhuh dwah

[zhuh dwah]

💬 Usage Tip: [Je dois] is the usual way to say "I have to" in French, even though [dois] comes from the verb for "must / owe." You can reuse it with another verb after it: [Je dois partir] = "I have to leave."

Phrase Breakdown

[zhuh]

Referring to oneself.

Example

Je dois aller travailler.

I must go to work.

dois

[dwah]

Must

Used to express obligation or necessity.

Example

Je dois suivre les règles.

I must follow the rules.

Guides for French learners

The Best App to Learn French: An Honest ComparisonDuolingo, Babbel, Pimsleur, Busuu, italki and PrettyFluent compared for learning French: what each is best at, how you pay, and which fits your goal.French Conversation for Beginners: 5 Everyday Dialogues You'll Actually UseFive short French conversations for beginners, from greeting a neighbour to booking a restaurant, with translations, native audio and the phrases that keep them going.

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