Physical states and sensations
États physiques et sensations
- Express what you need.
- Tell how your body feels.
- The stressed pronouns: Moi, Toi, Lui...
Learn to express physical sensations and states in French, including key vocabulary like avoir chaud (to be hot), fatigué (tired), and la douleur (pain). Practice using stressed pronouns for emphasis and common reflexive verbs such as se reposer (to rest). Engage with practical dialogues for real-life situations like doctor visits and social interactions. Improve your understanding with grammar exercises on present tense verb conjugations and a short story to apply your new skills.
Listening & reading materials
Practice vocabulary in context with real materials.
Vocabulary (14) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercise 1: Reorder sentences
Instruction: Make correct sentences and translate.
Exercise 2: Match a word
Instruction: Match the translations
Exercise 3: Cluster the words
Instruction: Sort the following words into two distinct categories depending on whether they describe a sensation or a state of the body.
Sensation physique
État du corps
Exercise 4: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
Faible
Weak
2
Souffrir
To suffer
3
Prendre soin de soi
Taking care of oneself
4
Être malade
To be ill
5
Le sommeil
Sleep
Exercice 5: Conversation exercise
Instruction:
- How do the people feel in those situations? (How do the people feel in those situations?)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
|
Il est épuisé. He is exhausted. |
|
Je me sens fatigué le matin. I feel tired in the morning. |
|
Je me sens épuisé après le travail. I feel exhausted after work. |
|
J'ai besoin de boire quelque chose. I need to drink something. |
|
J'ai soif. I am thirsty. |
|
J'ai faim. I am hungry. |
|
Elle a froid. She is feeling cold. |
|
Je me sens chaud. I feel warm. |
| ... |
Exercise 6: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 7: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Je ___ repose après une longue journée de travail.
(I ___ rest after a long day of work.)2. Tu ___ souvent quand il fait froid.
(You ___ often when it is cold.)3. Il ___ repose ce soir pour être en forme demain.
(He ___ rests tonight to be in shape tomorrow.)4. Nous ___ de la fatigue après le voyage.
(We ___ from fatigue after the trip.)Exercise 8: A weekend to rest
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Souffrir - Souffrir
Présent
- Je souffre
- Tu souffres
- Il/Elle souffre
- Nous souffrons
- Vous souffrez
- Ils/Elles souffrent
Se reposer - Se reposer
Présent
- Je me repose
- Tu te reposes
- Il/Elle se repose
- Nous nous reposons
- Vous vous reposez
- Ils/Elles se reposent
Avoir - Avoir
Présent
- J’ai
- Tu as
- Il/Elle a
- Nous avons
- Vous avez
- Ils/Elles ont
Prendre soin de - Prendre soin de
Présent
- Je prends soin de
- Tu prends soin de
- Il/Elle prend soin de
- Nous prenons soin de
- Vous prenez soin de
- Ils/Elles prennent soin de
Exercise 9: Les pronoms toniques: Moi, Toi, Lui...
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: The stressed pronouns: Moi, Toi, Lui...
Show translation Show answerseux, moi, lui, vous, elle, elles, Moi
Grammar Share Copied!
It's not the most exciting thing, we admit, but it’s absolutely essential (and we promise it'll pay off)!
Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Souffrir to suffer Share Copied!
present
| French | English |
|---|---|
| (je/j') souffre | I suffer |
| (tu) souffres | You suffer |
| (il/elle/on) souffre | he/she/one suffers |
| (nous) souffrons | we suffer |
| (vous) souffrez | You suffer |
| (ils/elles) souffrent | they suffer |
Se reposer to rest Share Copied!
present
| French | English |
|---|---|
| (je/j') je me repose | I rest |
| tu te reposes | You rest |
| il/elle/on se repose | He/she/one rests |
| nous nous reposons | We rest |
| vous vous reposez | You are resting |
| ils/elles se reposent | They rest |
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Understanding Physical States and Sensations in French
This lesson introduces you to essential expressions used to describe how you feel physically. You will learn to talk about sensations like heat, cold, pain, hunger, and thirst, as well as bodily states such as fatigue, weakness, and sleepiness. These are everyday topics that help you engage in basic conversations about health and well-being.
Key Vocabulary
- Sensations: avoir chaud (to be hot), avoir froid (to be cold), la douleur (the pain), la faim (the hunger), la soif (the thirst)
- Physical states: fatigué (tired), faible (weak), le sommeil (sleepiness)
Pronouns in Focus
The lesson highlights the use of stressed pronouns such as moi, toi, lui to emphasize the subject when talking about feelings:
- Moi, j'ai chaud aujourd'hui, et toi ? (Me, I am hot today, and you?)
- Elle est fatiguée, elle doit se reposer. (She is tired, she must rest.)
Practical Communication
You will practice natural dialogues for common situations like visiting the doctor, chatting with colleagues during a coffee break, or discussing how you feel after sport. These dialogues use simple, repetitive structures ideal for A1 level learners.
Grammar and Usage
The lesson also covers reflexive verbs related to taking care of oneself, such as se reposer (to rest) and the present tense conjugation of verbs like souffrir (to suffer). Multiple-choice exercises reinforce your understanding of these forms.
Additional Practice
A short story titled "Un week-end pour se reposer" offers a contextual way to use the vocabulary and grammar, helping you connect words with real-life scenarios.
Notes on Language Differences
Unlike English, French frequently uses expressions with the verb avoir (to have) to describe sensations: for example, you say avoir chaud instead of "to be hot." Also, stressed pronouns like moi or toi emphasize the speaker or listener much more clearly, often starting a sentence. Useful phrases include Prends soin de toi (Take care of yourself) and Je me repose (I rest myself), highlighting reflexive verb use in daily speech.
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