How do you say "I hope" in French?

"I hope" in French is "J’espère". This phrase is commonly used in France.

🤞

How to Say ‘I hope’ in French

Q: What does "J’espère" mean in English?

"J’espère" means "I hope" in English. Usage tip: [J'] is just [je] shortened before a vowel, so [j'espère] runs together and [j'] cannot stand alone. You see the same thing in [j'aime] and [j'habite].

J’espère

zh es-pehr

[zh es-pehr]

💬 Usage Tip: [J'] is just [je] shortened before a vowel, so [j'espère] runs together and [j'] cannot stand alone. You see the same thing in [j'aime] and [j'habite].

Phrase Breakdown

J’

[zh]

Shortened form of “je” before a vowel sound. It means “I.”

Example

J’espère voir une grande finale.

I hope to see a great final.

espère

[es-pehr]

hope

From the verb “espérer,” meaning to hope or expect something positive.

Example

J’espère une victoire de mon équipe.

I hope for a victory from my team.

Guides for French learners

“Do You Speak English?” in French, and What to Say When You Don't Speak FrenchHow to say “do you speak English?” in French politely, what you'll hear back, and the phrases for “I don't speak French” and “can you repeat that?”, with audio.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.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Custom Scenarios

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Moved to Lyon for a culinary apprenticeship. The food and restaurant scenarios were exactly what I needed — my French colleagues were genuinely impressed.”

Tom H., 38, Chef

“Studying in Paris and the academic French I learned in school was useless for daily life. This app filled the gap in weeks, not months.”

Nina W., 29, Graduate Student

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer